Buying a Used Car at an Auction

How to Pick the Car for You

Many people are afraid to buy a used car at an auction. They are afraid of making a mistake and ending up with a "lemon". This fear is natural. It is also completely called for if you don’t know what you are doing. There are a few things you need to know before you even attempt to buy a car at a used car auction.

One thing you need to know is what kind of auction you are attending. There are different kinds of auctions. Some auctions only sell to people with a dealer’s license, while some are open to the public. Some auctions sell cars that have been inspected and certified; others do not.

If you are buying a used car, don’t be in a hurry. Don’t just attend an auction and buy the first thing you see. The best thing to do is attend an auction for several weeks before you plan to buy. Watch the car dealers that are there; see how they do business. For example, find a particular car dealer who buys cars that look like something you would drive. If he is local, go to his dealership later in the week and see what he is asking for the cars (don’t let him know you were at the auction). This way, you can see what you would pay on a lot versus what he paid at auction. This also gives you an idea of the kind of price you should be willing to pay.

Most auctions that sell cars that have been inspected are only open to car dealers. If you want to attend one of these, you can make friends with a dealer and take him along with you. If this is too much, just go to an auction where the cars are not inspected. These are more likely to be open to the public. These are also more risky because there is no standard for the cars. You never know what you might be getting.