This article will discuss the inner workings of a typical car auction. The purpose of it is to educate PoliceAuctions.com members on how to prepare for and know what to expect at a local car auction.
The first thing that needs to be done is to locate a car auction near you. In this case, I chose the Newport Mesa Auto Auction held by Metro Pro Road Services in Santa Ana, California. This particular auction was a non-government auction. There were a total of 80 vehicles that day which ranged from passenger cars, vans, trucks, to motorcycles. The PoliceAuctions.com database indicated that this auction occurs on a weekly basis and inspections start at 8am and bidding starts at 9am.
Make sure to wear cool comfortable clothing, the type that you are not worried about getting dirty. The cars in auctions are generally filthy. They haven’t been washed in a while and the interior can be just as bad. Make sure to wear closed toe shoes. Some of the vehicles are wrecked and will have sharp metal parts protruding out of the body and there will be broken glass from the windows lying around everywhere both in and out of the vehicle.
If you’re not too comfortable about the mechanical aspects of vehicle, bring a friend that knows more than you do about cars. Bringing a friend can also help you get an objective opinion on a car that you are partial to. Tell them about the type of car you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to spend. That way if you get caught up in a bidding war, your friend can reel you back in.
Once you and your friend get to the auction, read all of the rules and payment terms that are posted. Some auctions require anyone participating in bidding to register and place a deposit before entering the yard. Bring cash, most places only take cash and do not accept checks or credit cards.
Be prepared to have a plan on what type of vehicle you want and how much you are planning to spend. Research the Kelly Blue Book value of the vehicle you want. Knowing the value will help remind you to not over bid on the cars. Search for the vehicle you want right when you get there, it will give you more time to give it a good thorough inspection. Be sure to pop the hood and start checking the engine compartment for any broken parts and leaks.
Check to make sure there is oil and transmission fluid, and that the radiator isn’t leaking. It is also a good idea to check the brakes, axels, tires and that the tail pipe is not oily. An oily tail pipe could mean that the car is burning oil. A car that burns oil could spell trouble down the road, which could be potential problems with the valves or worn out piston rings. A tail pipe should be dry and perhaps a bit sooty.
It is also a good idea to check the body for frame damage or paint jobs. If the car has a paint job, then it is possible that it may have been involved in an accident and it was repaired. A paint job in it self may not be such a bad thing, but there is a possibility that the vehicle was reconditioned to look normal, but underneath the façade there lies frame damage and it may have a salvage title. Salvage titled cars maybe harder to insure and in some cases you may not be able to register it.
Some auctions will allow you to start the vehicle, place it in gear and see if it engages. But they will not allow you to test drive it. The Newport Mesa Auction doesn’t allow bidders to start the vehicles. However, they will indicate on the windshield if the car starts and idles by writing “Runs” or “Runs good.”
Once the bidding begins, be aware that you will be bidding against people from junk yards, car dealers, car parts stores and other people like you. The starting bid for most of the vehicles at the Newport Mesa Auto Auction ranged $100 to $200. The bid increments would vary from $10-$50. For example, there was a 1988 Honda Accord that started bidding at $100 and was quickly sold for $540.
