Buying a car at auction???

[DisneyJules]

Hey guys and ladybugs! I've had a car broker looking around for the last couple months for a car and he's finally found the Honda Accord I was looking for and in my price range. But here's the thing, the car is being sold at auction, that's how he buys them and is able to get them for so much cheaper. I'm a little concerned though, they're aloud to turn on the engine and drive it around a parking lot (which doesn't tell you much about the car) I tried to pick a car that's known for it's durability but you can still get a lemon. Has anyone here ever bought a car off an auction? It's my first car too so I'm a little nervous with all the money I would be pouring into it.

 

[Dizz-knee-whirl]

If you went to a dealership today and purchaced a used car it would probably have been only driven for a very short drive during its trade in apprasial. Sounds similar to the auction policy to me.

Are you obligated to buy the car if your broker wins the auction? If so, I'd be weary. If the broker allows you to take the car on a reasonable test drive after the auction and to a respected mechanic, then i would not worry as much.

There are reasons why traditional dealerships may cost a litlle more. Usually the cars have been cheked at their sercice department for any major malfunctions. Dealerships also usually offer some type of extended warranty or mechanical breakdown insurance.

If two vehicles look exactly alike, and one is substantially cheaper. There is a reason. The prices of used cars usually only vary by a few percent from dealer to dealer.

I worked in the car business for years before I went back to school. If there is anything i can help with, feel free to ask.

 

[holycow]

Isn't there a web site where you can look up the (registration) of the car and see if it has been in any accidents or had lots of repairs....or do you have a reliable mechanic who can look at it?...
good luck!
I love our Honda Accord it was a great car!

HC

 

[Poohnatic]

www.carfax.com is the website, I think.

DH bought a Jeep on Ebay a couple months ago. Got it from a wholesaler for about 2500 LESS than the Kelley price. Needed about $1500 in repairs, but DH bought the parts new off Ebay, too, so it ended up being about 650 in repairs. Reason why it didn't do so well was the color(guy was selling two Jeeps, a '95 and '96). It looked like it was neon orange in the pictures, but it was the red that was popular then. The other Jeep sold for about 3000 more mainly because it was green.

So, yes, have a car that was purchased at auction, but not the kind you were thinking of, LOL!

Suzanne

 

[ToyStory Fan]

There is also a very good chance that the used/pre-owned vehicle you purchase from a dealers lot was purchased by the dealer at auction too. After purchase they certify the vehicle and there is you rcertified pre-owned vehicle.

Find out what is available for aftermarket extended warranties and if you trust the broker it should be okay. Don't be surprised if an ext warranty price runs close to $1000 depending on the current condition of the car, and what you plan on for an "extension"

Just make sure you are not getting a FLOOD DAMAGED vehicle or ANYTHING with SALVAGE TITLE, if you see any of that run away as fast as you can.

Also, while carfax is good it is not fool proof, if the accident was not reported or the odometer was tampered with prior to any mandatory inspection/recording you will never know.

 

[DisneyJules]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your help! I'm not even sure if the registration number is even available. The car is being imported from Ontario, and God knows where it came before that. If the broker does get the car I do have to buy it and if there is anything wrong with it, it's up to me to fix. I tried to pick a car that's known for it's durability and longevity I just don't want to end up with a lemon.

 

[DisneyJules]

bump! Anyone else with any words of wisdom or caution?

 

[dmfuru]

Try here. http://www.carbuyingtips.com/used.htm


And here. http://www.carbuyingtips.com/canada.htm

 

[charlie,nj]

..and from looking at dmfuru's carbuyingtips link I found this on auto auctions:

www.carbuyingtips.com/auto-auctions.htm

Good luck