Car Auctions Near Me [Locator Map + Bidding Guide + FAQ]

Looking for a used car and want to get the best deal? Sure you can go to a used car dealer, but for the best value, you should consider a car auction. These auctions will have tons of coupes, sedans, and lite duty pickup trucks of various makes and models. In this article, we will discuss where to find local car auctions, bidding tips, the flow of an event, why pre-auction inspection is critical. I’ll also share my experience with the car auctions near me.

Map of Car Auctions Near Me

For “Car Auctions Near Me”, see locations below…

How to Find Car Auctions Near Me

The U.S. is ripe with automobile auctions of all types from cars to trucks to SUV’s. There are repo auctions, police auctions, and salvage title auctions on vehicles in which you will find a variety of automobile classes and manufacturers in all different conditions. Today though our focus is passenger vehicles like coupes and sedans. You will also find light-duty pickup trucks in these auctions as well. Where do you find car auctions?

Here is a list of resources to find car auctions near me:

Google and Yelp

You can search both Google and Yelp for the phrase “Car auctions near me”. This will return a list of options near your locations that auction cars and light-duty trucks. You will likely see local auction houses, insurance auto auctions, and public auction listings. What I like specifically about these two searches on Google or Yelp is reading the reviews and testimonials from people who have been there. Not all auctions are run like a well-oiled machine, so looking at customer feedback is important.

Pro Tip: One of my best secrets is using Google “Events” to find smaller car auctions in my local area. Most car auction regulars don’t look here and therefore don’t attend. Google Events will list what I call “pop-up” auctions alongside regular auctions. These are one-time events and often don’t take place at professional auction houses. These events usually have lower headcounts and less experienced bidders. You can be the pro at these venues with very little auction experience.

Try Google Events here: Car Auctions Near Me This Week

Note there are two different types of live auctions you may find: public and dealer, you are looking for public unless you have a dealer’s license.

Government Listings

Federal, state, and local governments post their information online. These are always live public auctions and don’t even have internet bidding options. All of the vehicles have been seized or are government surplus autos. The link below is one my favorite resources. You can search by state and preview the cars and trucks that will be available…

Find government auction listings:

Government Seized and Surplus cars

Auto Dealer, Trade Magazines, and Newspapers

These magazines always list used car and truck auctions in them. You can get a free subscription to access their websites and newsletters. Even a standard magazine like Car & Driver or Motor Trend will list car auctions in the back classified section. While you may not do much newspaper reading anymore, there are sometimes live public car auctions listed in the classifieds as well.

Auto Dealer Mags that list car auctions:

Car Shows and Meet-Ups

I find out about most car auctions near me, by being a regular at car shows and meet ups. There are other people from the community who go to them, but there is sometimes people from the auction houses marketing their events. This is particularly true at a car show and if there is a classic car auction coming up. Even if no person is there representing the auction, you can often find flyers being passed around advertising them.

How Do Public Car Auctions Near Me Work

There are two types of car auctions: Public and Dealer. Unless you are a car dealer, you can not bid at a dealer auction. These events are reserved for people with a dealer’s license who trade a certain amount of autos each year. You are most likely looking for a used car public auction. This is where you are going to buy a car or two, but you are not an auto dealer.

They are big live events with large crowds there to bid on classic cars and trucks. The quality on condition of the vehicles will vary. Some will run, some will need repairs, some are junkers for parts, and others might be sold with a salvage title. Knowing this, you need to be aware of what you are bidding on and what condition it is in.

Pro Tip: Attending pre-inspection services prior to the start of the auction is very important. You need to examine the autos you are interested in very closely. Even bring a mechanic with you if you don’t know how to inspect a vehicle Try and put a price on the car or truck for how much you think it is worth to you. For a reference, the Kelly Blue Book can help you ballpark the price of the auto if you can assess the condition and look at the mileage.

The cars motorcycles and trucks are there on consignment. That means the owner consigned the vehicle to the auctioneer who will get a cut of the final sale price. This rate can go up to 30% at some auto auction houses.

Here is What to Expect…

Most auctions have a pre-inspection period before the auction starts. Sometimes this is the night before. You should take full advantage of this time to come and closely inspect all the inventory of vehicles you are considering.

Pro Tip: If there is an auction catalog, bring it with you and compare the descriptions to what you are seeing with your eyes. For example, if it lists the mileage in the catalog, compare the listing to the odometer reading,

If you plan on bidding, you need to register. You should also consider bringing proof of finances like a bank statement and a credit card. Get there early, because there may be lines. You need to have enough time, to register and get into a position, where the auctioneer and buyers can see you.

At the start of the event, the auctioneer explains the basic rules and then briefly describes the first vehicle. To bid, you raise your hand or paddle to start bidding, and each bid raises the next in ascending order. When you bid you are entering into a legally binding contract to pay the freight if you are the winning bidder. Once the auctioneer says “Sold” the car changes ownership and the winner settles the fiances and signs the title.

Layouts of car auctions vary. Some bring in vehicles onto the block in front of the whole crowd. Others drive vehicles through a block in the middle of the crowd so that the participants surround the automobiles. In some auction houses, a large screen will appear showing the basic car information and display the current bid amount.

Pro Tip: Auctioneer does not wait for slow bidders. Know your price in your head and be ready to bid to it without hesitation. If the auctioneer yells, sold, while you are still contemplating a bid, you lose!

More Tips for Auto Auction Success

Read the catalog before the auction. Write notes in it and questions you have about the cars.
Attend the event in person. Don’t phone bid in. You want to see the car you are bidding on.
Get to the event early to register, if you get caught in line, you may miss bidding on the vehicles you want.
Examine the cars closely in pre-inspection. Look for rust, corrosion, leaks, smoke, funny engine sounds, interior damage, etc…
If the car owner is there ask him questions about the service records and history. “I Don’t Know”, is not an acceptable answer.
Find out the order the cars are being auctioned, know where you have to be and when
Set a bid price in your mind and stick to it.
Stand where the auctioneer can make good eye contact with you
If you win let them ship the car to you, don’t drive it home. If it breaks down it will cost you more money to tow it.

Read this article on Car & Driver for more auction tips.

Bid on Used Cars | Online Auctions vs Public Auctions

Regardless of what kind of auction I am interested in, I always prefer in-person live events. Don’t get me wrong bidding for cars online has its benefits. Online and mobile phone bidding is convenient. The downside though is not getting to fully examine the autos. No one has ever bought a car on Ebay had it delivered and thought, “Wow, this car is nicer than I thought”.

If you are going to online or phone bidding with an auction house, you have to consider the reputation of the place. Make sure you read about them and how previous participants feel about them. Also bidding online means all you have is pictures and a description. Read all of the specs, details, and fine print very carefully before you bid. Many sellers online take great pics that hide blemishes. It’s easy to angle photos to hide corrosion on engine parts in the shadow of the hood.

Live public auctions in your area are the way to go. I know you physically have to show up, but you just can’t put a price on inspecting a car with your own eyes. Things online sometimes look to good to be true, and the only way to know is to see it in person. I like to cut through garbage and go straight to inspection. Let me judge what condition the car is in.

How to Get Your Car or Pick-Up Truck Sold in an Auction

If you are trying to your car or truck featured in an auction. You call an auction house, fill out some paperwork and consign your vehicle. To do this you must be in possession of the title and there can’t be any liens on it. When you reach out to them they will ask about make, model, year, mileage, and your asking price. If they are interested, they will ask you to send photos.

When you consign your car or truck, you are offering up a percentage of the sale to them. While that might not sound like a good thing, consider the fact, they do all of the work. They make phone calls, market your vehicle to an audience that you can’t reach, and they even make delivery and shipping arrangements. All you need to do is find out the final price and collect your cut.

To get the most money out of auctioning your vehicle you purchase you should make sure it runs optimally, has all the paperwork, and the vehicle is properly detailed before it goes to auction.

Benefits of Buying Cars at Auctions

Cost Savings

One of the main attractions of used car auctions is the potential for cost savings. Unlike traditional car buying from dealerships, auctions offer a chance to purchase vehicles at lower prices. This is especially true for repairable cars and repairable vehicles, which you can buy at a fraction of their market value. Whether you’re a dealer looking to expand your inventory or an individual seeking a budget-friendly option, auctions provide a cost-effective solution.

Variety of Choices

Auctions offer an incredibly wide selection of vehicles, ranging from everyday cars and trucks to luxury and heavy equipment. This variety means you have access to a diverse range of options, all in one location. Whether you’re in the Canadian market, the USA, or looking at auctions in Florida or Ohio, you’ll find a plethora of choices. For those interested in unique rides, motorcycles, SUVs, and even salvage vehicles are often available.

Potential for Finding Rare or Unique Vehicles

For car enthusiasts and collectors, auctions are treasure troves for finding rare or unique vehicles. These events often feature cars that you won’t find in a regular dealership. From vintage models that remind you of York or Jersey’s classic charm to limited edition luxury cars, the thrill of discovering something unique is a huge draw. Additionally, for those looking to sell or buy globally, auctions provide access to the world market, making it easier to find those one-of-a-kind vehicles.

In conclusion, buying cars at auctions offers significant cost savings, a wide selection of vehicles, and the unique opportunity to find rare or special cars. Whether you’re a seasoned bidder or a first-time buyer, the auction experience is both exciting and potentially rewarding.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

When participating in an upcoming auction, it’s crucial to be aware of common pitfalls that can turn a promising deal into a regrettable experience. Here are some key mistakes to avoid and strategies to navigate car auctions successfully.

Avoiding Overbidding at Auctions

One of the most common mistakes at car auctions is overbidding. This often happens when bidders get caught up in the excitement of the auction. To prevent this, set a strict budget before the auction starts. Research the market value of the cars you’re interested in and decide on a maximum bid.

Stick to this limit, no matter how tempting it might be to go just a little higher. Remember, dealers often have more experience and can drive up the price, so stay disciplined with your bids.

Ensuring Vehicle Quality

Another challenge is ensuring the quality of the vehicle being purchased. It’s not uncommon for cars at auctions, especially those sold through wholesale or by IAA (Insurance Auto Auctions), to have hidden issues. To mitigate this risk, always inspect the vehicle thoroughly before bidding.

If possible, bring a mechanic or someone knowledgeable about cars. Pay close attention to the lot number and details provided on the auction site. If the auction provides a vehicle history report, review it carefully to check for any past accidents or issues.

Legal Considerations

The legality of the vehicle is another crucial aspect. This includes ensuring the car is not stolen and has a clear title. Check the vehicle’s finance and ownership history.

If you’re bidding in Texas, Canada, Jersey, or other countries, be aware of the specific legal requirements in these regions. The Department of motor vehicles in each area can provide guidance on title transfers and registration requirements.

Focusing on Customer Needs

Finally, always keep your end customers in mind, especially if you’re a dealer. Understanding their preferences and needs can guide you in choosing the right vehicles and avoiding cars that might be hard to sell later.

By being aware of these common pitfalls and preparing accordingly, you can navigate car auctions more effectively and make informed decisions that lead to successful purchases.