Used Car Auctions - Finding Auctions In Your Area

Once you have exhausted all options for finding a reasonably priced pre-owned car, you may wonder what is left to do. You have scoured all the used car lots in your area, visited the larger chain auto retailers, and checked the online classifieds for possibilities. Perhaps you found a few prospects, but nothing that jumped out and compelled you to commit to a payment plan. Just as you're thinking, though, that it's time to give up and think about buying new, there is one other alternative you can try. Used car auctions may be the ticket to getting you what you need.

About Used Car Auctions

Typically the cars that come up for auction are seized properties that need to be sold to satisfy a debt. Other cars made available for auction may come from federal or state agencies after they have been seized, or after they no longer serve a purpose for government work. Still other cars may come from auto dealers. On average, cars that come up for auction are not very old - perhaps no more than five years - and may not have many miles on them.

Depending on the type of auction you attend, you may be required to register and pay a fee or a specific registration charge tacked on to the price of the car you buy. It's important to know exactly how much extra you end up paying should you decide to buy at auction.

Finding Used Car Auctions

Location an auction sale is not as easy as you might think. Some events can be rather selective, and not all may be open to the public. If you have a contact in auto sales, you could ask for leads, though there are services online that help you pinpoint auction times and venues. Some auctions, too, allow for long-distance bidding, so you don't have to be present to buy the car you want. It is important, however, to make sure you work through a legitimate service.

Should You Buy Through an Auction?

It isn't uncommon for people to buy cars at auction in order to resell the inventory. If you are interested in a pre-owned vehicle for your personal use, you should treat the potential purchase as you would any other car. Find out everything you can about the car, its history, mileage, and condition. The more information you get, the better prepared you will be to take advantage of the sale opportunities involved in a used car auction.


Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Norfolk used cars and Virginia Beach cars.