Black Friday Car Deals Grand Rapids

November 28, 2021

How to Buy a Car at Auction

Buying a car at auction can save money compared to buying at a dealership. However, you don't have the chance to drive the vehicle the way you would at a dealership lot. There are a few things you can do to cut the risk of ending up with a lemon.

Check the VIN

Whether you want to buy cars from auctions online or you to a car auction in person, run the vehicle identification number (VIN) through a site that provides vehicle history reports to get a quick overview of major damage, such as past wrecks. If you are buying through an online car auction, look for the VIN in the product description. If it isn't provided, consider asking for it before bidding. If you're at an in-person car auction, take a picture of the VIN tag on the dash by the windshield or on the tag on the vehicle's driver's side door.

Look Closely at the Paint

Look at the paint to see if there are mismatched blotches of paint. In addition, look at the areas where body panels meet to see if colors match. Paint that doesn't match can be a sign of a past wreck or of the seller filling in rust holes with automotive body filler to make the car's condition look better than it is. While not necessarily a reason not to bid, it's good to be aware of past damage when assessing a vehicle's value.

Determine Book Value

According to Popular Mechanics, car buyers should head to online sites like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds to determine a vehicle's book value before placing a bid. Knowing the average price for a vehicle can help you determine the maximum amount you're willing to pay for it. It's also a good idea to check online classified sites and local dealerships to determine how much similar vehicles in your area cost. Keep in mind the condition and any extras the car has or doesn't have can affect its value.

Signs of Wear

If you get to inspect the vehicle in person, or if an online seller provides clear photos, you can tell a bit about how a vehicle has been maintained and how heavily it has been used by previous owners. For example, if a car is shown having very low mileage, but the textured surface is worn off the steering wheel, gas pedal and brake pedal, it probably has pretty high mileage.

Shipping or Towing Costs and Possible Repairs

The cost of getting the car home typically falls to the buyer, so unless the car is local and ready to be driven home, leave some room in your budget to pay for towing or shipping the vehicle. Also, since you don't know if you're buying someone else's problem when bidding on an auction car, save some money for potential repair costs. You're typically buying "as-is" at an auction, and some cars being sold at auction are there because there's something wrong with them that the seller didn't want to bother fixing.

Grimwade Agetwoubding