Pre Owned Cars

There are advantages and disadvantages to purchasing a vehicle at a government or police auction instead of going to a car dealership. Many people don’t realize it, but the police seize thousands vehicles every month and in most cases auction them off to the general public at greatly reduced prices.

Obviously, police auctions are a secret that car dealerships don’t want you to know about. This is because not only is there one less potential customer looking to purchase a vehicle but there is also another bidder competing against him for the cars that are being auctioned.

Yet over 90% of the population still goes to car dealerships to purchase their vehicles. People are simply not aware of the great deals that police auctions have to offer. The government isn’t about to spend any budget publicizing the auctions either. Below is a list of pros of advantages versus disadvantages in buying vehicles at these auctions:

Advantages:

- Business model is much more conducive to lower prices

- Auctions are frequently held in many locations throughout the US and Canada

- Detailed previews on the Internet of the cars and vehicles that will be offered at upcoming auctions

- Typically there is a wide selection of vehicles (i.e. could find a BWM, Jeep, Porsche and Chevy at one auction)

- No middleman for you to have to deal with or pay

- No annoying commissioned salesperson to deal with

- Motivated seller who doesn’t have the resources or time to deal with inventory, therefore offering vehicles based on no reserve bidding

- Possible advantages to income taxes (establish a business name)

- Usually pay less car taxes

- Once you understand process you can do as a side business (i.e sale cars in Autotrader.com or eBay)

Disadvantages:

- Most of the sales are cash only (any credit would have be done externally)

- No warranty period beyond manufacturer warrenty, although most used dealerships only provide 30 days or so

If it’s not a problem paying cash, or you can get credit elsewhere, then the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Just remember to bring a mechanic or car expert who understands vehicles with you to the auction. They will inspect the vehicles that you’re interested in to make sure you get a great deal.

The author is currently researching Night Vision Goggles and other spy gear, as well as the hobby of Family Tree Searches for upcoming review articles.