If you’re looking for a new car, a used car auction may not be the first place you look. Plenty of people think that auctions only sell junkers, non-runners, and scrap cars. However, if you keep your ear to the ground, you might just find a unique vehicle at an incredible price. This isn’t even limited to cars! If you’re looking for a car auction, Speed’s Auto Auction is a great place to find a new-to-you car, truck, motorcycle, or even RV. We’ve even sold boats! You truly never know what you’ll find at our auction.
How to Find a Great New Vehicle at Auction
Auto auctions can be hidden gems for car enthusiasts and bargain hunters alike. While some may dismiss the idea of buying a car at an auction, the truth is that you can find quality vehicles from desirable manufacturers at unbeatable prices; you just need to know where to look.
Types of Vehicles You Could Find
- Used vehicles. Some auctions (such as Speed’s) will allow private citizens to sell cars there. These cars aren’t always junkers either; you could find a perfectly good car on offer.
- Salvage vehicles. If scrap or project cars are more your speed, you’re definitely in luck at a car auction.
- Repossessed cars. If a car owner can’t make their payments, they could be repossessed and put on auction. Much of the time, these cars still run perfectly well.
- Boats, bikes, and more! Anything could show up at auction — not just cars. You could find an RV, a motorcycle, or even a boat! Keep your eyes open and you might just find something incredible.
One of the main advantages of buying a car at an auction is the potential for getting a great deal. Vehicles are sold “as-is,” meaning that there are no guarantees that they’ll drive well — or even start. (A good auction house will make it very clear whether or not a car is a runner before you start to bid.) However, for those willing to put in a little work, plenty of these cars can still be brought back to life.
Finding Cars at Auction — And More
Perhaps the best part of car auctions — besides the great deals — is that you never know what will turn up next. Many times, there are more than just cars for sale. And not just junkers either! Plenty of the vehicles you’ll find if you keep an eye on the auction scene are in perfect working order. Repossessed, donated, and private-seller vehicles will often find their way to the auction block.
If junk cars are what you’re after, though, you’ll almost always find some. If you’re looking for parts to fix up another car, broken-down cars could have what you need. Of course, there’s no guarantee that the part you need is in good working order, so it’s a good idea to inspect them thoroughly before putting them to use. You could keep your purchase around as a parts car; otherwise, leftover parts could also be sold for scrap.
Who Should Buy?
Auto auctions are open to all, but it helps to have a little extra knowledge on your side before you dive in. We’ve seen our fair share of auctions here, and we have a few helpful things to keep in mind when you join us for a thrilling sale. Making a wise vehicle purchase is the best part of an auction experience!
Auction Tips
- Come with a plan! Knowing what you want to bid on and how much you’re willing to pay before the auction starts is a good way to make sure you stay on track and prevent overspending. Set a spending limit to make sure you don’t go overboard.
- Getting a lay of the land before the auction starts can help with this! Check online for the lots on sale before you head to the auction location.
- Prepare vehicle transport. You are responsible for removing your purchased vehicles from our lot. You have 72 hours to do so, so make sure you have a towing service (like ours) to take care of the transportation.
- Keep in mind that for liability reasons, you may not work on your vehicle while on our lot, save for tire changes. (Runners can be driven away.)
- Be aware of payment expectations. Does the auction take credit cards or will you have to pay cash? You wouldn’t want to win a bid only to be unable to pay for your vehicle.
- Lots of auctions require some sort of buyer’s fee or other additional charge before you are allowed to bid in the first place. Do your research on the auction you plan to attend to make sure you’re ready for it.
- Brush up on auction etiquette. Auction bidding moves fast. You need to stay on your feet and be mindful of your movements; plenty of small movements can be accidentally misinterpreted by the auctioneer.
Keep these things in mind and get ready for the thrill of a live auction! You could walk away with a dream car at a dream price.
Looking for a Unique Car Auction?
Speed’s Auto Auction doesn’t just sell broken-down family cars. Since we sell cars from all kinds of sources — from individual sellers to dealerships — we see all sorts of vehicles on our lot. That means more than just cars! Over time, we’ve had motorcycles, RVs, trailers — even boats! We even auction off beautiful vintage cars, like the 1934 Jaguar we sold in January 2024. So if you’re looking for the perfect car, stick around and check back often; sooner or later, we’ll probably have something on offer for you soon.
So if you’re looking for a car auction with a vast and continually updated selection of vehicles, check out our listings or just drop by! We hold weekly auctions with all sorts of cars for sale. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to an auction location; you can even participate online! Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions as well.