Online Auto Auctions

Some of the best car deals can be found at online auto auctions.  You just need to follow a few easy steps to make sure you don't over-bid on a vehicle...

These days, you can purchase just about anything online--and this goes for new and used cars as well.  If you want to find a car that you can afford that is still in great condition, you may want to think about logging onto some online auto auctions so that you can find the car that you want in the comfort of your own home. 

While this may be a convenient way to buy a car, there are still some very real precautions that you'll need to take to make sure that you are getting the most for your money--and to ensure that you're not being taken advantage of.

No matter what site you visit for online auto auctions, you should make sure that there is a definite way to get in touch with the individual or group that is selling the car before you make the final purchase. This way, if you have any questions about the car, or need to know what type of work will be necessary to repair the car once it becomes yours, you can have your questions answered before you spend money that you can't get back.

If you send inquiries to the seller and they are not responded to in a timely manner, this may be a good sign that the seller can't be trusted; you want to make sure that communication is open and honest so that you know exactly what type of purchase you're making.

How To Research A Vehicle So You Can
Offer A Winning Bid

1. Get the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for every vehicle you are considering:  All reputable online auction sites - such as Ebay Motors - will have the VIN numbers for each vehicle readily available.

You would then enter each VIN number (separately) at CarFax.com and see what comes up.  (I haven't used the Ebay Motors website, but I'm sure they have everything for you in one place; VIN research, etc.)  You're checking to see the vehicle damage history (if any), list of previous owners and any other pertinent info. 

2. Check the Vehicle's Fair Market Value:   Check the vehicle's Fair Market Value at KellyBlueBook.com.  (Again, I'm sure that Ebay has links to Kelly Blue Book and/or another official vehicle research site.)

3. Find out how to get the vehicle's title and warranty (if any) before you shell out any money.  Ebay would make this easy, of course, but you may want to bid on a car from another online auto auction site. 

When you're at a live auction, you'll be able to have the title handed over to you onsite, but if you're completing the process online, you'll have to have these materials sent to you.  Make sure that you have the arrangements for getting any official documents for the car in writing (via email as well) during the buying process, so that you will have the proof you need if you have to verify anything.

4. Consider purchasing a warranty for the automobile you purchase at online auto auctions.   This can be extremely important. Even if you do everything right in the purchasing process, your car (especially if it is an older models), you will still need to purchase coverage that will decrease the cost of any repairs of maintenance services you'll need for your 'new' car.

So don't forget the automobile section of Ebay; there are a number of great vehicles listed on the site, and you'll get most of the details you need right there on the site before getting in touch with a seller. Good luck!

by J. Wright - Nov 01, 2011

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