Is going to an auto auction a safe way to purchase a used vehicle?

Did you have any problems or were you satisfied with the purchase?|||I have a Ranger I bought from my home states auto auction. As Is, No Warrenty. I paid 600$. Truck had 75,000 miles on it. It was used at the MRDD to move mowers, mulch, ect. I put on a timing belt at 100,000 miles. Other than that I have only had to change the oil and keep it tuned up. By the way, check out the vehicle before the auction starts. Oil leaking? Radiator full? Oil full and not burnt smelling? If automatic is tranny fluid full and not burnt smelling? When you check the oil, run your fingers over the dipstick. Do you feel any grit in the oil? Check tires for sidewall cracks. If cracks are present this could mean the vehicle has set for long periods and probably not been started either. Does it smoke when you start it up? Could be valve seals bad from setting, or worse. Valve seals aren,t a problem to change if you know how, But usually only it smokes when idiling. I,m telling you this because I assume you are not a mechanic. These are common signs to look for. You should be able to start the vehicle and check it before the auction starts. Also look underneath and see if any springs are broken, exaust rusted out, floor rusted badly, ect. Also put in your mind a top price you,d pay for the vehicle and don,t go above that. Seriously. Theres always another auction and a better vehicle for the money. Make sure it,s what you want before you bid top dollar. You,ll get a good vehicle really reasonable if you remember this. Buy on facts, not on your heart (unless you are willing to maybe spend more than it,s worth to fix). I really hope this helps you. Sorry NIKI, but don,t buy an old police car. They,ve been rode hard and put away wet. Yeah they,re maintained till they,re worn out most of them.|||If your around Cincinnati let me know.

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|||I'll be as clear as i can. Before buying any used car get it checked out by an experienced mechanic most shops will do whats called a prepurchase inspection for free because they know that if the car needs work they will get it then the price between the actual asking price and the repairs needed on the vehicle is usually negotiated out between the buyer and seller (hint) after getting these estimates and repairs done. the asking price goes down or the seller splits the repair cost.etc|||you just have to know what you are getting into. you may get a used car for $500 and it may run, but then again you may get one for the same price that wont take you but home. its just a matter of knowing what you are getting into, no refunds etc. i would go for a car that i will want to make repairs on versus an old used car that isnt worth repairing.|||They're risky unless you're an expert. You get limited time to inspect the vehicle. At most, you'll be able to start it and maybe put it in gear but you will not have a chance to drive it. If you're willing to live within those limitations and KNOW what you're doing, go for it. But if you don't know cars well, don't risk it. You may get a good deal or you may get a pig in a poke. The ONLY recourse you have on an auction vehicle is if the seller fails to deliver a clear title. EVERY other risk is borne exclusively by the buyer.|||No -this is how dealers get rid of cars they wouldnt put on there lot for sale . It probably has issues|||get there erly,test drive them. if u cant then dont bed on it.|||Buyer beware!





A reputable dealer may have an excess of pre-owned cars which he'd simply like to sell to raise cash. And many of these cars are good cars, and you'd be taking no more of a risk buying that car there than you would be buying it from Jones Chevrolet.





Others,, well, it's a crapshoot.





A friend bought a 6 year old car, bid low, figuring he'd have to put some money into it. Other than a new battery and some new tires, that's all it needed. And he could see this when he bought it.


Just stay clear of the 10 year old car which was driven by a little old lady only on Sunday at the dragstrip.|||thats where I got my first wife!! Where do you thing most used cars come from dealers take to auctions to sell an buy I have to many but I know what i want and u better know autos or u could end up with junk I like to buy old police cars almost always well matained.|||If you know cars, or go to the auction with a trusted mechanic it is gamble.|||yes, but it helps to have some knowledge about cars when buying at an auction, you get little time to look the cars over, best to go look at the cars and make a list of what cars you might want and what the most $$ you'd be willing to spend on them, then don't go over the figure, just walk away if it goes higher %26amp; wait for the next possible car. auctions can be sorta high pressure make sure you don't get sucked into buying something you don't want or payin more than you originally thought it was worth, %26amp; be careful about "salvage tiltled" cars, they have been totaled and have been repaired, this could be a real problem car if the damage was bad enough.