| Police and seized car auctions are a good place to | | | | and the rest when I get paid." That's not going to |
| find a used car. It's possible to find a car, purchase it, | | | | work. You must have the total cost of the vehicle. |
| and drive it home the first day without a lot of red | | | | » These cars are typically sold "as is" and not |
| tape or hassel. However, you should make sure that | | | | only is the auction house not responsible for any |
| you know what you're doing before you go. A car | | | | damages, but they are also likely not aware of them. |
| can be a long-term investment. | | | | It is not their business to do inspections or validate |
| What is not a scam is that the federal government | | | | the condition of the cars they are selling. You might |
| really is actively making second hand luxury vehicles | | | | want to purchase an extended warranty on the |
| available for sale. Some cars the feds owns but want | | | | vehicle you win from auction so that you are |
| to dispose of. These vehicles are usually vehicles that | | | | covered for any unexpected problems or expenses. |
| are no longer needed in service for the federal | | | | » There are some cases where the |
| government. | | | | automobiles will come with a warranty and if this is |
| However, most of these vehicles offered by the | | | | the case, they will let you know before bidding but |
| government are not actually owned by the feds, but | | | | typically there is not one, especially with repo cars. |
| have been seized because of criminal activities. | | | | » Car auctions are competitive, and it's possible |
| Vehicles that are used in the commission of certain | | | | to end up paying more than the vehicle is worth. |
| crimes, particularly drug offenses, often become the | | | | Have your Kelly Blue Book handy and do not pay |
| property of the arresting agency, depending on local | | | | over the blue book price. Some people will run up the |
| laws. While these seized vehicles are occasionally | | | | bid price because they have no idea what the auto is |
| used by the agency, in the vast majority of cases, | | | | worth. |
| the vehicles are sold at auction. | | | | » If possible, bring along a specialist in bidding |
| Before you start placing your bids on that sweet | | | | for a car. Vital information is important to know |
| 'Vet that you fell in love with on first sight while | | | | whether a car is of decent quality. |
| browsing your favorite online auto auction site, | | | | » Remember: state and government seized |
| remember that a picture is only worth so many | | | | cars are those that are done by people who |
| words, which makes it difficult to get a complete | | | | committed crimes, so the seized cars may be more |
| assessment of a vehicle. | | | | damaged and more fragile than a car that the |
| Do your homework and due diligence first. Here are a | | | | government may have seized in a different manner |
| few things to keep in mind: | | | | (a repossession, for instance). |
| You need to make sure that you have enough | | | | » Be careful. Before you ever place a bid, pull |
| money in your bank account before you attend a car | | | | a Carfax or Autocheck by Experian. This will reveal |
| auction. All cars purchased at a car auction must be | | | | possible odometer and title problems. Important |
| paid in full. It won't work to say, "I'll give you a | | | | issues like if the car has been wrecked or flooded is |
| portion now and the rest later" I'll give you half now | | | | also revealed. |