What to Expect at Your First Local Car Auction

There are some of us that just like having different cars. Be they new or used, it doesn’t really matter, as long as it’s different than what we currently have. Frequenting local car auctions is an easy way to make this hobby quite a bit easier on the wallet. Here’s what to expect when you visit the first of what will hopefully be many car auctions.

You Will Not Know What You Are Doing

You can know how to take a 1988 Honda Civic apart and put it back together in a weekend, but that won’t prepare you for attending local car auctions. Be prepared to ask questions. Yes, you will be surrounded by cars, but most of the time, the workers are not car nuts. Try to not be in “get another car” mode, but think more along the lines of “make a smart business transaction.” Local car auctions can be a great way to save money on your own car, or to turn a profit by fixing and selling, but you have to know the rules of the game first.

You Are Taking A Risk

At most local auctions, they start the car, if the car starts. That’s all. They don’t let you drive it, they don’t give you a history, and they certainly don’t tell you everything that may be wrong with it, because they simply don’t know. Unless you’ve visited the day before and examined the cars you are interested in, which is highly recommended, consider each purchase a risk. If you are buying multiple cars to fix and resell, don’t buy a bunch of unknowns if you can’t afford to absorb the loss. If you are buying a single car for yourself, be prepared to do some work on it to make it everything you want it to be. Car auctions are great places to get excellent deals all sorts of cars, but those cars are hardly ever perfect.