Purchasing a Car at an Auction
                     Purchasing a car at 
an auction?
Know the steps you should take.
Introduction
There is a lower risk of over-reaching when purchasing a car at an 
auction although human nature and the desire to win at all costs can 
play its part. There is an element of risk but careful preparation and 
research should mitigate the risk significantly. As with all types of 
auction you have a fair chance of securing a bargain. If you get it right, 
then purchasing a car at auction can save you 10% to 30% when 
compared to purchasing a pre-owned vehicle from a local dealership.
Here are some ways to achieve tangible savings at a car auction. 
Know the Differences 
between Dealer Only 
Wholesale Auctions, Public, 
Repossession or Retail 
Auctions
The dealer only auctions require a car dealer’s license. Car auctions are 
the only way for the dealerships to rotate excess inventory. Unlike the 
public auctions, the dealer only auctions offer close to new cars or new 
cars. They also offer recent trade-ins as well as off-lease vehicles. 
The public car auctions are open to all. This includes the savvy dealers 
and so prices may not be as low as suggested by the hype you see. You 
will see auctions advertised wherever there is marketing space - 
including online and offline media. 
Prepare well
When preparing for a car auction knowledge is power. You must always 
ensure that you are well informed about the car you intend to purchase 
and its market value. 
Research the prices that models of a similar age are being marketed and 
sold in the market place. There are a number of websites that provide 
you with this information and with detailed sales trends by make and 
model. 
If you don’t research well there is a risk that you will get carried away 
during the bidding process. It is vital to be prepared and to be objective 
before immersing yourself in the rapid fire environment of an auction.
Read
Go through the auction catalogue in as much detail as you can. The 
model is fashionable. That’s OK. But what is the history of the vehicle 
and why is it being placed at auction?
Attend
Make sure you are physically present during the auction. No doubt, you 
will be able to bid over the phone but would you like to purchase a car 
that you haven’t seen? 
Observe Others
Be patient and watch other people placing bids. Be on the lookout for 
suspicious behavior where the same bidders are being over active on 
every lot. 
They are probably looking to inflate prices. Visit a few auctions before 
you start bidding yourself. This will help you to better understand the 
process and players in the market.
Avoid Getting 
Caught up in the 
Bidding
Ensure you stay to your budget and don’t get carried away. Withdraw 
from bidding when you have reached your budget limit. Always 
remember that you can easily get carried away during bidding, and lose 
money by overpaying for a car. 
Never pin all your hopes on just one vehicle and always be prepared to 
walk away. 
Conclusion
Making a good buy at a car auction is dependent on preparation prior to 
the auction.
You need to know the product, the average selling price and the bidding 
techniques that give results. Make sure you do your research and take 
advantage of information available online. 
We hope these tips provide you with the result you are looking for.
Created By:
www.premier-plates.co.uk