How to articles

How to Save Money at a Car Dealer Auction

By Mike Richards Updated: 05/22/2019 Posted: 06/30/2017

The whole point of going to a car dealer auction is generally to get a great vehicle and do so at a very low price.

However, it’s usually not that easy. You could easily go to a car dealer auction and end up paying a lot more than you should have on a vehicle you’re actually not going to be happy driving.

Don’t worry, though. We’re about to show you how to save money at a car dealer auction.

Don’t Bid at Your First Car Dealer Auction

Like any new experience, the first time you go to a car dealer auction, you may feel out of place or confused about what to do. It’s not the end of the world, but you also don’t want to make mistakes at an auction and lose a thousand dollars or more.

That’s not to say that these auctions are overly-complicated or that people don’t have success on their first tries. For best results, though, you should go once just to get a feel for things.

Check the Inventory Beforehand

Along with getting your feet wet, we also recommend that you check the inventory of the dealer beforehand. This will make it much easier for you to do your research and figure out how much it would be worth to spend on any of the vehicles in which you’re interested.

You can also call the dealer with questions. It can be hard to get these answered at an auction sometimes.

Note: Not all dealers are going to have their inventories online. Again, you can always call to ask about what is going to be sold.

Be Cautious

There are all different kinds of car auctions out there. Dealer auctions are generally among the more reputable versions.

All the same, you still need to use common sense just as you would if you went to buy a car at a normal dealership. If something is too good to be true, you know it probably is.

Find Out How Much Repairs Will Cost

Finally, some of the vehicles at a dealer auction may have seen better days. One of the reasons people love these auctions so much is because most of the cars tend to be in amazing condition.

Nonetheless, if there are vehicles that will require repairs, don’t automatically write them off. Prepare for a dealer auction by researching how much common types of repairs will cost.

Better still, if you know a mechanic or have a friend who’s a car enthusiast, bring them along. They’ll be indispensable in helping you assess the true value of a vehicle, especially if it has some damage to it.

Otherwise, we’d recommend speaking to a mechanic beforehand. Tell them about your plans and ask if you can call for quotes. Don’t forget to also consider shipping costs if you are buying from abroad.

Just because you’re buying cars at an auction, that doesn’t mean you’re automatically going to get a great deal. The above advice will help a lot, though. If you’d like further help securing a great vehicle without paying a lot, let Auto Auction Mall do all the work on your behalf.

Comments