If you are looking for cheap auction vehicles in America then it is important to understand all the best options you have at your disposal. While all auctions offer the possibility of a great deal, there are certain types of vehicles which consistently provide an inexpensive solution without sacrificing quality or reliability. By focusing on specific types of vehicles or vehicles in specific circumstances, you will be able to save time and money while getting the type of car you want.
Hail Damage
One of the best ways to save money and find cheap auction vehicles in America is looking for hail damage auctions. If a severe thunderstorm went through an area recently there is a good chance a number of vehicles with hail damage will be available the next auction. While hail has the potential to cause a significant amount of cosmetic damage, there is very little chance it will affect the overall performance of the vehicle. If you are looking for a cheap auction vehicle then hail damage offers an excellent solution. Here’s a quick look at a few examples of buyers getting a great deal on cheap auction vehicles because of hail damage.
2013 Nissan Maxima S/S
This 2013 Nissan Maxima S/S is the perfect example of how you can get cheap auction vehicles in America without sacrificing quality. There was less than 8,000 miles on this car before it got caught in a hail storm. This maroon 4 door sedan was front-wheel drive and had a 3.5L V6 engine. Assuming the damage was repaired, the estimate local retail value of the car was close to $35,000. The estimated cost of repairing the damage was nearly $20,000. The winning bid was $7,000.
2012 Dodge Challenger
Another good example of how to save money on hail damaged cars is this 2012 Dodge Challenger. It had less than 9,000 miles on it. The black coupe had a 5.7 liter V8 engine and was rear-wheel drive. The estimated retail damage once the hail damage is repaired was set at $33,000. The repair cost was estimated to be around $16,000. The winning bidder paid only $12,000.
High Mileage
Another great option is to look for vehicles with high mileage. While higher mileage vehicles are always going to be less expensive than their lower mileage counterparts, auctions provide a unique opportunity to save money. If you attend a fleet vehicle auction then you should expect a large number of high mileage vehicles. At the same time, since they were part of the fleet you will also have access to detailed vehicle history and maintenance records. This will allow you to offset the risk of purchasing a high mileage vehicle because you can target auctions which have a record of been well maintained.
Worn Paint
Many people focus on cosmetic aspects of the vehicle when placing bids at an auto auction. In most cases this is the exact opposite of what they should be doing because fixing cosmetic damage is easier than fixing mechanical damage. There are a significant number of auctions which have not just fleet vehicles, but work vehicles that spend a majority of the time in the sun. By constantly being in hot weather in the sun, the paint tends to wear prematurely although this doesn’t affect the reliability or quality of the vehicle. The only thing to keep in mind is that while worn paint is acceptable, rust spots are not. Rust spots are indicative of a poorly maintained vehicle and can cause significant damage down the line.
Government Vehicles (With Two Exceptions)
In general, government vehicles are options when trying to buy cheap vehicles at auction in America. Government entities tend to purchase in bulk which means each auction listing will have a number of vehicles which are comparable in make, model, and mileage. This lowers the average price of each vehicle at auction because bidders are not tied to a specific vehicle, but rather a specific price range. There are two notable exceptions to this. The first are police cruisers. While you can get a good deal on a former police car, taxi companies typically target these vehicles because they can safely be operated for 300,000 miles or more. The other exception is industrial vehicles and heavy duty trucks. Exporters target these trucks so that they can be sent overseas where sellers will get a premium price.
Recovered Thefts
The final option for consistently finding cheap vehicles at auction is recovered facts. In most cases, the cars are up for auction because they were either not claim by the owner or the insurance company had already paid out on the policy. One thing to keep in mind is that some recovered theft vehicles will have damage caused by vandalism.
2012 Toyota Yaris
Recently, a 2012 Toyota Yaris, valued at $12,000+, sold at an online auction for $2,700. The winning bidder got a great deal on this black, 4 door sedan. Unlike most vehicles that were recovered from thefts there was not any noticeable vandalism. The reason it went to auction was because the insurance company had already paid out on the claim. As a result, the car became the responsibility of the insurance company. As per normal practices, the insurance company filed for a salvage title and sold the car at auction.
2006 Dodge Charger
This 2006 Dodge Charger found its way to auction in a similar manner as the 2012 Toyota Yaris. The one notable difference is there was noticeable vandalism to the interior. While this doesn’t affect how well the vehicle drives, it can affect comfort and the overall appearance. In total, the repairs were estimated at $11,000. This red, 4 door sedan had 5.7 liter V8 engine which was still operational at the time of the sale. Once repaired, the car would be worth an estimated $15,000. The winning bidder claimed their prize for only $3,000.
