| Not every person who drives a luxury car is wealthy. | | | | It's possible to get good deals at these auctions, but |
| The guy next door who drives a BMW or Mercedes | | | | you will have to do your homework. Don't go in there |
| may have received the car as a gift, inherited it, or | | | | before you've armed yourself with information about |
| won it in a bet or a raffle. If you don't have any rich | | | | the kind of car you want and the kind of prices such a |
| relatives likely to give or leave you a Jaguar, or if you | | | | car would fetch on the market. The best deals at |
| don't fancy your luck in games of chance, there's one | | | | government-seized auto auctions are usually on older, |
| more option for you. Get a government-seized car on | | | | well-maintained vehicles.There are several downsides |
| auction, and you'll be able to drive the car of your | | | | to acquiring vehicles at government-seized auto |
| dreams without paying an arm and a leg for it. | | | | auctions. First, the selection changes all the time. You |
| What is a government-seized automobile? | | | | can't specify the kind of vehicle you want. You have |
| When criminals are caught, the government seizes | | | | to settle for what's available. And because of the |
| their property, including their automobiles. The | | | | constant changes in selection, you can't expect |
| government then auctions these automobiles off. As | | | | detailed information on descriptions and prices. What |
| you might imagine, a lot of criminals drive expensive or | | | | information you do get is not necessarily reliable. It |
| highly customized vehicles, and these are the kinds of | | | | would be best to check out the vehicle yourself. If the |
| vehicles that end up in government-seized automobile | | | | auction is far from your place of residence, you will |
| auctions. | | | | have to travel to the auction site at least a few days |
| How do I find a government-seized auto auction? | | | | before the day of the auction to inspect the |
| These auctions are held at frequent intervals in | | | | goods.Second, you won't be able to test-drive the |
| different parts of the country. There is likely to be one | | | | vehicles. You'll be able to look the vehicle over and ask |
| near you, but if you're willing to travel, that expands | | | | questions, though. Vehicles aren't available for |
| your range of options considerably. You can look for | | | | inspection on the day of the auction, but there are |
| auction listings in newspapers or online. If you decide to | | | | auction previews, usually a day or two in advance. |
| look online, you can either do your own search or use | | | | This is another reason to travel to the auction site at |
| an online auction directory service (for a small one-time | | | | least a few days beforehand.Third, these auctions |
| fee). | | | | don't offer warranties. So be sure to get as much |
| When you've found an auction you want to participate | | | | information as you can about the car you want. Ask |
| in, get in touch with the auction administrators and ask | | | | the auction administrators for the car's Vehicle |
| about registration requirements. In most cases, | | | | Information Number (VIN) and use it to get a CarFax |
| registration is free, and a photo ID is all that's required. | | | | report on the car. The CarFax report will give you |
| How do I pay for my purchases at these auctions? | | | | valuable information, including odometer readings and |
| Most auctions accept cash, cashier's check, and credit | | | | history of flood damage or accidents. Finally, bidding |
| card (Visa or MasterCard). Payment terms differ from | | | | can get extremely competitive, especially if the car |
| auction to auction. Some auctions will require a deposit | | | | you have your eye on is new, popular, or |
| on the day of the auction and the balance the | | | | well-maintained. You may find yourself bidding against |
| following day. Other auctions require immediate full | | | | used-car dealers, many of whom search these |
| payment for all purchases. Auctions that allow deposits | | | | auctions for bargains that they can resell in turn. |
| on the day of the auction might require immediate full | | | | Furious bidding can push auction prices up, sometimes |
| payment for purchases worth less than a certain | | | | close to or even exceeding the actual value of the |
| amount, say, $5,000. Before you go to the auction site, | | | | automobile. When this happens, there's little point in |
| find out what modes of payment the auction allows. | | | | acquiring the automobile at an auction. You might as |
| Are these auctions for real? | | | | well buy it somewhere else. |