How To Buy A Used Car At Auction -

The "win" happens before the bidding starts. Most auction houses post their (the inventory) a few days in advance.

Sites like Bring a Trailer or Cars & Bids focus on enthusiast cars, while Copart specializes in salvage and repairable vehicles. 2. Do Your Homework (The Pre-Game) how to buy a used car at auction

The adrenaline of a live auction is real. It is incredibly easy to get caught up in a bidding war and overpay. The "win" happens before the bidding starts

Not all auctions are created equal. Before you show up with a trailer, make sure you’re at the right event: Not all auctions are created equal

Pay attention to the auction’s lighting system . Green usually means a "sound" engine/transmission; yellow means "caution/disclosed issues"; and red means "as-is." 3. The On-Site Inspection

If the bidding passes your pre-set limit by even $100, stop. There will always be another car. 5. Winning and Driving Home If the hammer falls and you're the winner, congratulations!

Remember that the hammer price isn't the final price. You will owe a Buyer’s Premium (usually 5–15%), taxes, registration fees, and likely some immediate repairs.