Traditional auto auctions are a great way to purchase a vehicle. Vehicles can come from ex government, ex lease vehicles, finance repossession or private.

Used car auctions can be found in every major city and a lot of regional centres. There are specialised auto auction centres like Fowles motor auctions, Pickles, Jupps and others but vehicles for auction can also be found at company liquidation auctions, public trustee auctions and damaged vehicle auctions. Damaged auctions are for the experts who have the resources and expertise to judge the repair costs or may be purchase for recycling/wrecking. Some auctions are dealer only and require bidders to be licensed motor dealers and there are auction buyers who will bid on your behalf although be aware of the fees they charge for that service and remember that they are generally not responsible for the condition of the vehicle purchased so be clear on what you want and how much you are prepared to spend.

Most auction centres allow some kind of pre inspection prior to auction so check with the auction centre prior to going to the auction. Before going to the auction make sure you know your budget and allow for costs like repairs, roadworthy and
registration. It also pays to do some investigation prior to auction on what the market values are for the vehicles you are interested in. Vehicles are generally not sold with any registration so check with your local registration office if a permit can be obtained to drive the vehicle from the auction house otherwise vehicle cartage operators are generally not to far away on auction day.



Used Car auction buying guide

• Know what you want, decide on a price range, type, make and model that suits you and your budget.
• Prior to auctions visit car yards and dealers to see what this type of car sells for, what generally to expect condition wise and determine the yard value of the vehicle.
• Get a feel for things, go to a few car auctions without your wallet and get comfortable.
• Most auction centres offer prior inspection, so if possible visit the auction site with a mechanic.
• Keep in mind any possible reconditioning that needs to be done, remember little things add up like new brake pads, an oil seal, a muffler etc. so allow for what you cant see.
• Know the conditions of the auction, read the conditions of sale, be aware of the fees and taxes that may be added to the final price and listen to the auctioneer when they mention terms or conditions etc..
• On auction day get a feel for who’s who at the auction, are you bidding against dealers, wholesalers or public.
• There are many strategies that people use at auction, some may bid aggressively to scare off other bidders and make the auction move fast and some may sit in the background and pounce when the hammers near to fall. You should always try to make eye contact with the auctioneer when your chosen car comes through to ensure they are aware of you..
• If you’re successful, you may have to make a deposit on the fall of the hammer and arrange for final payment to take place which is usually required within 24 hours. You’ll also need to arrange towing.
• Be wary of ‘import’ vehicles and why they are at auction, try to get confirmation from the auctioneer as to it’s re-registration status.