Getting the Best from Public Auto Auctions

Many people looking for good deals on vehicles can find them at public auto auctions. They are a great way to choose from a variety of vehicles for sale and pay the amount of money you wish to pay for them.

Shopping for a used vehicle can be a hair raising experience. Finding the right car for the right price can mean running around from one private seller to another; or making the rounds to all of the local used car lots. One convenient method of shopping for a previously owned vehicle is to attend a public auction; one spot where all available vehicles are brought for prospective buyers to view and buy before the process begins.

The term “as is” was never more important to consider than at public auto auctions. And, unless the buyer is a mechanic with a well trained eye to spot issues, it is often difficult to determine the true operational condition of the vehicle. Run a check of the vehicle identification number (VIN) and a vehicle history report to determine what may have occurred in the car’s past before you buy.

Once the auction begins, it pays to be observant. A light, much like a stoplight at an intersection, is generally present behind the auctioneer. The color of the light that is showing at the time a particular car is being auctioned indicates the status of its title. Green indicates a clear title; ready to be sold. A yellow light can mean a couple of things: the title is on its way or there has been damage to the frame but not enough to brand the car as “salvage”. If the title is in transit, bidders are still able to buy; however, they are not able to take the car home until the title arrives. The purchase must be finalized at the end of bidding, meaning you own a vehicle that you cannot possess. Once the title comes in, the car is the property of the successful bidder. Cars that warrant a red light have issues with the title. The vehicle may have been a salvage car, rebuilt from a devastating accident; the mileage shown on the odometer may not be actual mileage of the vehicle; or the car may not yet have a clear title.

While vehicles at public auto auctions can be bought at lower prices, it is important to be an informed buyer; the best way to get the most for what you pay for.