Auto Auction Late Model Car Values and Volume Continue to Climb

Over the past year there has been a noticeable trend throughout the auto auction community.  The value and availability of late-model cars has significantly increased.  At the same time, the demand for older cars has diminished.  This creates the perfect opportunity for savvy auto auction goers to land a reliable vehicle at well below market rates.  It is important to keep in mind that even though the values of late-model cars on the secondary market have increased, auto auctions are still significantly less expensive than purchasing a used car from a dealership.

Auto Auction Companies Reported Nearly a 10% Rise in the Volume of Late Model Cars

A recent report notes that auto auction companies have seen a rise of nearly 10 percent in the volume of late-model cars in their recent listings.  In this report late-model cars were defined as anything four years old or newer.  In total, the number of vehicles 1 to 2 years old climbed by five percent.  The amount of vehicles 3 to 4 years old climbed by 13 percent.

Low Rate of Depreciation and Price Strength Key Factors

There are two driving factors behind the rise in the demand for late-model cars.  The first is the low rate of depreciation.  The average car sees a majority of its depreciation within the first 12 to 24 months of its lifespan.  By purchasing a car one or two years old at an auto auction, car buyers can avoid a majority of the initial depreciation without sacrificing value or reliability.  Additionally, the current price strength of late-model vehicles makes them a solid investment.  Cars are built to last much longer than they used to.  As a result, their long-term depreciation rate is significantly slower than it was a decade ago.  This price strength is a driving force behind the desirability of late-model vehicles.

Auto Auction Companies Reported a Significant Decrease in Demand for Older Cars

Buy Cheap Auto Parts at Baton Rouge Car Auctions

It has become well-known you can buy cheap cars at Baton Rouge car auctions, but recently more people are turning to these auctions to buy cheap auto parts.  Baton Rouge holds a number of salvage car auctions on a regular basis which makes it an ideal location to get cheap auto parts.  While many people purchase salvage cars to repair them for themselves, many of the vehicles are badly damage which makes them ideal for parts.

Salvage Car Auctions Are the Way to Go

When it comes to finding used car parts, salvage car auctions are an excellent option.  This is particularly true for people who are rebuilding vehicles or sell used car parts.  To get the most out of these auctions, it is important to understand that many parts can be used on the same make and model across an entire generation of vehicles.

Buy a Car and Part It Out Yourself

In the past, many people turn to salvage auctions in order to generate a side income by purchasing vehicles and reselling them.  As more people got into this business who were not as mechanically inclined the trend of parting out a car became popular.  Even if you do not have an in-depth mechanical knowledge, it is fairly easy to buy a car and part it out yourself.  Plus, if you are fixing up cars, you can purchase a salvage car for the parts you need and part out the rest Ford additional income.  In many cases, you can generate enough income off of the parts you sell to cover your auction costs.

Make Sure the Salvage Vehicle Has Not Already Been Repaired

One attending a salvage auction in Baton Rouge it is critical to make sure the vehicle has not already been repaired.  Salvage cars which have already been repaired fetch top dollar which means they are a poor source of cheap auto parts.  Instead, focus on cars with noticeable cosmetic damage, especially if you are primarily interested in mechanical parts rather than cosmetic pieces.  On the flipside, if you need cosmetic pieces, look for cars that have fled damage because this type of damage primarily affects the engine and transmission whereas panels and windows remain relatively intact.

Always Focus on the Parts You Want – Not the Entire Vehicle

When first targeting vehicles of the salvage auction in Baton Rouge it is important to focus first on the parts you want, not the entire vehicle.  Even if a target vehicle seems like it could generate a tidy profit, it may take some time to sell off all of the parts.  This is particularly problematic if you are purchasing the vehicle for a specific part.  If specific parts are your area of emphasis, always focus on those first and the rest of the vehicle later.

Don’t Forget to Add In the Additional Value of Other Parts You May Acquire

In order to determine how much you’re willing to pay for a salvage car at a Baton Rouge auction it is important to consider the additional value of other part you may acquire.  While the additional parts should not be part of your initial decision matrix, it should help you determine how much you can spend on a vehicle and still generate a profit.

Dallas County Police Auctions Give Cheap Deals

Dallas county police auctions are a great way to find cheap deals on quality used cars.  Over the past several years, Dallas County as slowly transitioned to online auctions in conjunction with their live auctions.  To save time and money, the local police auctions and county sheriff auctions are sometimes combined.  This allows the auctions to be held more often while still offering a full listing.  They key to getting the best deals is identifying the best available vehicles and learning more about each vehicles history.

What to Expect from Dallas County Police Auctions

Depending on the type of police auction, the listing can vary wildly.  The most common type of police auctions in Dallas County primarily include cars that have towed, confiscated, and impounded by local law enforcement.  In many cases, the Dallas county sheriff will utilize local towing companies that work with the City of Dallas.  This is because these towing companies are already familiar with the procedures they need to follow.  Depending on the towing company used, the cars could be taken to one of several impound lots.

If the Dallas county police auction listing is composed primarily of impounded vehicles, the listing will have a lot variance.  There is little chance that more than one or two of the same type of vehicle will be available.  As a result, vehicles which are in high demand will go for a premium while the rest will be sold for well below market value.  To thrive in this type of auction, it is important to choose multiple potential target vehicles.  The more vehicles you are content with bidding on, the more likely one of them will have very few additional competing bidders.

If the Dallas county police auction is held in conjunction with local surplus auctions, there the listing becomes more predictable.  Local surplus auctions typically have large listings but with very little variance.  There are normally a large number of similar vehicles.  This is because local and county governments typically purchase their fleet in bulk.  As a result, the auction listing will have a lot of whatever type of vehicle they are replacing.

How to Get the Best Deals at Dallas County Police Auctions

There several key actions buyers must take in order to get the best deals as Dallas county police auctions.  All of the actions fall into two categories – preparation and auction day decision making.

Effectively Preparing for Dallas County Auctions

Taking the time to prepare for an upcoming auction is essential.  Unfortunately, many people undervalue the importance of preparation and often come away from the auction unsatisfied with their purchase.  The most important aspect of preparation is getting to know your target vehicles.  There is no reason to show up to an auction without a handful of potential target vehicles.  If you can limit the number of target vehicles to a manageable number, it will be easier to do the necessary background research.  It will also be easier to stay organized on the day of the auction.

To simplify this process, many people are now turning to online auction websites.  These websites are specifically designed to help buyers make the best auction-day decisions possible.  First, they provide up to date listing information.  Having an updated listing is essential for choosing the right target vehicles.  Nothing is worse than showing up to an auction and seeing several interesting vehicles that you didn’t know were available.  Either you will end up “bidding blind” and hoping for the best or not bidding on them and regretting it later.

Bid for Cheap Cars Online In Nebraska

Trying to bid for cheap cars online in Nebraska doesn't have to be a complicated process.  The key is understanding how online auto auction websites work as well as what to expect in Nebraska.  While everyone has their own process once they get comfortable bidding online, there are five basic steps which everyone needs to follow the first time they sign up for an online auto auction site and bid on cheap cars in Nebraska.

How to Bid for Cheap Cars Online in Nebraska

1. Sign up at a Reputable Online Auto Auction Website

The first step is signing up at a reputable online auto auction website.  There are a growing number of online auto auction sites to choose from, but not all of them are reputable.  Ideally, you should choose a website which has been around for at least a few years.  This will give you an opportunity to look for feedback about other people's experiences with the site.  Additionally, most auction websites don't last more than a year or two if they treat buyers poorly or follow poor practices.

2. Decide What Type of Online Auction You Want to Participate In

The next step is deciding what type of online auction you want to participate in.  In most cases there are three options.  The most common option is proxy bidding.  In this situation, you will place the highest bid you are comfortable making on your target vehicle.  The bid increments will continually increase over time until the specified auction closing time is reached.  This is the same format most popular auction websites, such as eBay, utilize.  The second option is live online bidding.  In this scenario you will be watching the auction happened live from your computer.  All of your bids will be placed in real time.  This is exactly like a live auction except you don't have to leave your front room.  The final option is the live/online auction format.  In this situation the online auction is coupled with a live auction.  You will normally be given the option to either place your maximum acceptable bid or to bid in real time in conjunction with the live bidding.

3. Look Through Listings to Identify Target Vehicles

Once you have decided what format of auction you are comfortable with, the next step is looking through the available listings to identify vehicles you are interested in.  You can decide what your target vehicles are based upon any criteria you want including make, model, color, age, mileage, and starting bid.

4. Research All Potential Targets and Set Maximum Bid

Once you have selected your target vehicles it is time to start researching them.  Reputable online auto auction websites will often share the VIN number of a vehicle on the listing.  This gives you an opportunity to do detailed background research into each vehicle before deciding how much you are willing to pay for it.  As you research each vehicle make sure to note a maximum bid or ceiling that you are not willing to go beyond.  This is especially important if you take part in live auctions because it is easy to get caught up in the action and bid higher than you actually want to.

5. Follow the Outline Procedures to Pay and Receive Vehicle

The final step is following the procedures outlined by the website.  These procedures detail both the auction process as well as how you will pay and receive your vehicle.  Keep in mind that in Nebraska a majority of vehicles up for auction are located in either Lincoln or Omaha.  This means you'll either need to pay to have them shipped to you or you will need to go pick them up.  If you will not be picking them up within a day or two following the auction, you will likely need to submit a payment online.  If you plan on picking it up immediately then you can usually pay in person.

2007 Cadillac C/T

This white 2007 Cadillac C/T was sold near Lincoln, NE at an online auction for only $2,000.  It had 104,000 miles and a 3.6 liter V6 engine with rear wheel drive.  The reason it was so cheap was because there was noticeable hail damage across the top of the vehicle.  The estimate local value when repaired was nearly $12,000.  The reason there were few bidders is because the damage would be prohibitively expensive to repair.  This is typical of high-end luxury cars which is why hail damage is an ideal way to purchase them at rock bottom prices.  Even if they are never repaired the damage will not affect the durability or reliability of the vehicle.

2004 Pontiac Grand AM

For some reason there is consistently a surplus of older used Pontiac cars in Nebraska.  This 2004 Pontiac Grand AM didn’t even have 100,000 miles on it but still sold for only $600.  This red four door sedan was valued at $6,000 and required no repairs.  Online auctions make it easy to spot deals like this because you can filter the listing results based upon make and model to identify current surplus levels which inevitable lead to lower prices and more savings.

2003 Volkswagen Passat W8

It is easy to find a lot of cars like this for sale at online auctions in Nebraska because they were likely brought into the state by college students.  This particular 2003 Volkswagen Passat sold for only $400 even though it was valued at more than $11,000.  It did have noticeable hail damage; however none of it was severe enough to affect the durability or reliability of the vehicle.  The damage was entirely cosmetic.  This 4 door sedan had only 90,000 miles on it and a 4.0 liter V8 engine.

US Government Car Auctions In Salt Lake City for Low Prices

US government car auctions in Salt Lake City have proven to be consistently reliable for people in search of quality used cars at low prices.  While it is true that government auctions across the country sell vehicles that well below market value, Salt Lake City has proven to be particularly beneficial for local residents.  If price is a primary consideration, consider looking at government car auctions in Salt Lake City before general public auctions or repossession auctions.

Why Are Government Car Auctions in Salt Lake City Good Deals?

Anyone who is not familiar with government car auctions understandably want to know why they are such a good deal.  One of the hidden benefits of attending government auctions in Salt Lake City is reliability.  Government surplus auctions only include vehicles which have been owned and used by the government for the vehicle's entire life.  This means bidders can get access to extremely detailed maintenance and repair records.  These records are essential for determining how reliable a vehicle will be over the next several years.  As an added bonus, Salt Lake City has several key ordinances which outlined how a vehicle must be maintained.  This provides a minimum baseline in which to determine the overall reliability and quality of the vehicle.

Why Are Prices Lower at Government Auctions?

Since government surplus auctions typically offer reliable vehicles, the next question people ask is why prices are consistently lower than other types of auctions.  The first reason prices or lower is because government surplus auctions are still considered to be less popular than repossession auctions.  This is because the listings are typically less varied.  Plus, Salt Lake City almost exclusively purchases locally manufactured vehicles which means international manufacturers will rarely be part of the fleet.  As a result, most auction listings are entirely composed of domestically manufactured vehicles.

Another reason prices are lower at government auctions is redundancy.  Since the government purchases vehicles in bulk for their fleet, they order a significant number of the same vehicle.  This purchasing policy is reflected in the auction listings.  Here's a quick look at a recent auction listing for a government surplus auction in Salt Lake City held by the GSA.

• 5 Dodge Avenger (2008-2010) with 40,000-90,000 miles
• 20 Pontiac G6 (2008-2009) with 30,000-70,000 miles
• 8 Chevy Impala 2007-2009) with 40,000-80,000 miles
• 7 Chevy Malibu (2008-2010) with 20,000-80,000 miles

As you can see, there were only four different types of cars available at this auction.  At the same time, each make and model gave bidders multiple opportunities to make a purchase.  If you were interested it in a Pontiac G6 then you had 20 different opportunities to buy one.  While there is some variance and mileage, this typically has very little effect on the price because all of the vehicles were maintained in the same manner.

Government Surplus Auctions Are the Safest Type of Government Auction

In general, government surplus auctions are considered the safest type of government auction to attend in regards to consistency.  Since everyone at the auction knows what to expect, there is no reason for them to arbitrarily bid up the price on a particular vehicle.  Over the course of an auction this means significantly lower prices than any other type of auto auction.

Luxury Seized Cars – Find Your Dream Ride in Hialeah FL

If you are in the market for an inexpensive luxury car in Hialeah FL then seized car auctions might be your best option.  Luxury cars can be seized for a variety of reasons however the overall quality remains fairly similar across auctions.  A more important variable is to consider is who actually seized the vehicle.  For example, the marshals service is well known for their lechery seized car auctions, however many of their cars are used for a year or two after they are seized for sting operations.  While the same is true for local governments, the practice is not as common.  Knowing why it was seized may help determine what government entity had control over it before it up was put up for auction.

Most Common Reasons a Car is Seized

1. DWI/DUI

The most common reason a vehicle is seized is because the driver was stopped and arrested on suspicion of DWI or DUI.  In Florida, any vehicle being driven by an intoxicated individual is automatically seized and towed to the local impound.  Before the owner can gather vehicle back they must pay a series of fines and complete any additional actions assigned by the court.  This is on top of the impound fees which are assessed based upon how long the car is held.  Over time, many people simply decide to purchase a different used vehicle rather than jump through all the hoops necessary to reclaim their lechery seized car.  In most cases, cars seized and immediately towed to the impound are rarely used by the government before they are put up for auction.  This means it is safe to assume a majority of the mileage put on the vehicle was from the previous owner.

2. Non-Payment of Taxes

Another reason luxury cars are seized by the government is the result of not paying their taxes.  In most cases, luxury cars are only seized for tax purposes in conjunction with the seizure of other property – particularly homes and businesses.  Luxury cars seized for this reason are considered to be the safest that at an auction in Hialeah FL because all of the property is controlled by the Taxation Division.  This means there is almost no chance it will be used by any other branch of government.  In most cases, it will be auctioned off as soon as possible so the government can recoup any lost funds.

3. Believed to be Used to Commit a Crime

Some luxury cars are seized simply because they were believed to be used in commission of a crime.  In most cases, these luxury cars will be used by local, state, or federal law enforcement for stings and raids.  If you find a late-model luxury car with unusually high mileage it is seized car auction, there is a good chance the high mileage is the result of government used rather than the previous owner.  Fortunately, the government typically doesn’t excellent job maintaining these vehicles.  This is a win-win scenario for anyone on the hunt for an inexpensive luxury car because the high mileage will drive away other bidders; however the chance of encountering reliability problems is slim.

4. Believed to be Purchased with Funds Gain From Illegal Activities

The final reason cars are typically seized is because they were believed to be purchased with funds gained from illegal activities.  In Florida this is known as civil asset forfeiture.  A majority of property seized under civil asset forfeiture laws are not used by local government entities.  They are held in the impound by the government until the case has been closed.  If the previous owner did not reclaim their vehicle or loses the right to reclaim their vehicle it is then sold at auction.  Florida law clearly outlines where auction proceeds go.  In most cases it will go to local law enforcement and educational programs.

Repossessed Cars – How to Spot A Good One

More people are turning to used car auctions in order to find a high quality luxury cars at lower than retail prices.  Repossession auctions typically offer the best option to get luxury or late-model cars.  This is because most vehicles are repossessed within the first few years of their initial purchase.  The most important thing to keep in mind when attending auctions is that not all cars are created equal.  The key to spotting a good repossessed used car is preparation and knowing what to look for.

There is No Reason for a Bank to Not Have the Title

The first thing to keep in mind is that there is no reason for the lending institution to not have the title for the vehicle.  In most cases, when a bank or credit union gives a loan to an individual for a vehicle they will retain possession of the title.  It is important to keep in mind that just because the title is not present at the auction doesn’t mean the bank does not have the title at all.  If the lending institution submits their vehicles to an auction they are not required to provide the title immediately, although many of them do to save time.  If the vehicle does not have the title at the time of the auction it will be listed as “title in transit”.  This means the bank does have the title however it is not available for pickup at the time of the auction.  If you purchase a vehicle with a title in transit it will normally be delivered within 30 days.  While this means you may not be able to title and register the vehicle immediately after you buy it, there is little reason to worry.  Plus, many auction houses will give you the opportunity to request a refund if the title is not provided to you within a timely fashion.

A Growing Number of Auctions Designate Repossessed Cars on the Bid Listings

It is important to keep in mind that while there are auctions which solely consist of repossessed cars, many lending institutions will add repossessed cars to general public auction listings.  When this happens it can be difficult to tell apart repossessed cars from the rest.  To make things easier many auction houses are now adding a description of the source to the auction listing.  Normally cars submitted by lending institutions receive the simple designation of repossessed or repossession vehicle.  This will make it easy to tell repossessed cars apart from the rest.  If the auction listing does not do this then it can be more difficult to determine where the car is actually sourced from.

Look for Minimal Damage on the Front and Rear Portions of the Vehicle Contrary to popular opinion most repossessions take place in an extremely civil manner.  Some people even bring their car to the lending institution so the towing company doesn’t have to pick it up.  At the same time, a repossession that goes poorly can lead to the vehicle being damaged.  Inexperienced or low quality towing companies can also cause damage to vehicles during the repossession process.  In order to identify this type of damage look for vertical scrapes and dents to the front and rear portions of the vehicle.  This can be caused by inappropriately securing the vehicle during transport.  While this isn’t inherently a cause for concern, it could mean there was accidental damage to the frame or axle.

Check the Gaps or Lines on the Hood, Trunk, and Doors

In some cases, people do not pay off their vehicle loans because the vehicle suffered some sort of damage.  As a result, the owner simply doesn’t want to pay for it anymore and they will give it back to the lending institution.  The easiest way to see if there was significant damage is to check the gaps or lines between panels on the hood, trunk, and doors.  If there is no damage then the gaps or lines will be equidistant on both sides.

Repossessed Luxury Cars and Late-Model Cars Are Often the Safest Bet

At most repossession auctions luxury cars and late-model vehicles are often the safest bet.  Many people purchase luxury cars when they get a promotion at their job or suddenly come into money.  Unfortunately, if there is a change in their economic status they will often get rid of their luxury car and switch to something more affordable.  In most cases, they will have taken good care of their luxury car before it was repossessed which minimizes the risk of reliability issues.  Late-model vehicles are safe bets for the same reason.

Used Car Dealers Typically Set the Market at Any Given Auction

One fact to keep in mind that repossession auctions is used car dealerships typically set the market at any given auction.  Used-car dealers are looking to make anywhere from 20 percent to 50 percent off of every vehicle they purchase at auction.  This means most people who get great deals at repossession auctions are simply bidding a few hundred dollars higher than the used car dealers are willing to go.  While this means you likely won’t get a late-model luxury vehicle for a few hundred bucks, it does mean you will still pay well below market value.

Examples of Great Deals on Quality Repossessed Cars

2008 Toyota Scion TC

This 2008 Toyota Scion TC was repossessed in Florida and came with a clean title.  It has minimal side damage which appeared to be normal wear and tear.  The Scion had less than 85,000 miles on it.  It was a white 2 door hatchback with a 2.4 liter inline 4 engine.  The estimated retail value of the car was more than $10,000.  The winning bidder paid only $3,500.  While it was sold “as-is, where-is” the auction house conducted a run & drive verification, provided the name of the financial institution involved, and of course published the VIN number in the listing so bidders go do their due diligence before the auction began.

2011 Toyota Sienna

This red 2011 Toyota Sienna is a great example of how you can save money on a late-model repossessed vehicle.  There was less than 6,000 miles on it and it came with a clean title.  There were minor scratches on the exterior, but the estimated repair costs were only $150.  It had a 3.5 liter V6 engine and was front-wheel drive.  While it has an estimated resell value of nearly $24,000 the winning bidder paid only $13,500.

2013 Infinity FX37

A great example of landing a nearly new car at a repossessed vehicle auction is this 2013 Infiniti FX 37.  It had less than 3,000 miles on it.  There was no damage aside from normal wear and tear.  It was a grey, all-wheel, 4 door SUV with a 3.7 liter V6 engine.  The winning bidder paid only $35,000 even though the estimate value was closer to $52,000 miles.  With only 3,000 miles on it, there was no need for the winning bidder to worry about the maintenance history.  Plus, it came with a clean title from Pennsylvania.

2005 Audi A8

The final example of great deals on quality repossessed vehicles is this 2005 Audi A8.  It was a silver, 4 door sedan with a 4.2 liter V8 engine.  It had all-wheel drive and only minor dents and scratches.  It came with a clean title but did have 120,000 miles on it.  The winning bidder paid only $3,500 for it even though it had an estimated local market value of nearly $12,000.