| Did you know that you can buy dirt cheap cars at | | | | even $20,000, depending on the debt that exists |
| seized car auctions? Some of the best bargain prices | | | | against it. |
| for used automobiles can be found when you attend a | | | | It might be that a car that would be worth $5,000 is |
| live car auction and emerge as the highest bidder. | | | | selling for $2,000 but needs $4,000 worth of repairs! |
| Bidding at auctions can be exciting as well as | | | | That would not be much of a bargain, would it? You'd |
| rewarding. You can find top of the line cars, in excellent | | | | end up paying $6,000 just to make the car drivable! |
| condition, being auctioned off at absurdly low prices. | | | | So it all depends. Finding a perfect deal is like finding a |
| Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) | | | | diamond in the rough. But ultimately, auctions are the |
| about this phenomenon: | | | | ultimate venue where you will find such bargains. |
| What exactly is a seized car? | | | | If it is so easy to find dirt cheap cars at car auctions, |
| A "seized" car is one that is repossessed, or forcibly | | | | then why isn't everybody doing it? |
| taken, by government injunction. Some examples are | | | | You have to do your homework before you buy any |
| when cars are involved in a crime, or when the owner | | | | car, whether it is a car sold through the classifieds, a |
| of the car is imprisoned, or deceased, or is unable to | | | | dealership, or at an auction. Make sure you know what |
| pay for the car. | | | | the blue book value of the car is. Make sure you know |
| Why are they sold at auctions? | | | | how much the car might need in repairs, and ensure |
| The government is not in the business of reselling cars | | | | that you factor that into the equation. Do you have |
| for profit. It merely acts as arbiter between two | | | | that much extra money to spare on a car? |
| parties - usually the finance company or the estate of | | | | Used car auctions are not as highly publicized as |
| the previous owner - and the general public. | | | | commercial enterprises, because auctions are typically |
| The general public therefore has an opportunity to buy | | | | mediated by the government, and being that the |
| the car at an opening bid which is usually just enough | | | | government is not a commercial enterprise, they will |
| to pay off the loans on the car or any liens against the | | | | not typically pay for flashy advertisements. |
| car and / or the owner that need to be satisfied. | | | | Also, people are not as well aware of the quality of |
| What kind of condition are the cars that are sold at | | | | auctions, plus auctions are not something you can just |
| auctions in? | | | | walk into. You need to go at the scheduled time at a |
| These cars can be in immaculate condition or they can | | | | scheduled place. They aren't located at every street |
| be total junkers. It depends on whatever the condition | | | | corner like a dealership is. So there is the convenience |
| of the car was at the time it was impounded. People | | | | factor. |
| have this impression that seized cars are "dirty" or are | | | | Also, because of auctions, you may not always get |
| "junkers". That is not necessarily true. | | | | the car that you want, because somebody else might |
| What kind of bargains can I find at an auction? | | | | outbid you, or the car that you want may not be |
| You can literally buy a $20,000 for a few hundred | | | | currently available at auction. |
| dollars, if you do your homework and you are | | | | But through persistence and research, if you are |
| persistent, you can find a diamond in the rough. | | | | looking for a dirt cheap car, and are willing to be patient |
| But one important thing to realize is that not all | | | | and persevere, you can save thousands of dollars and |
| repossessed cars are bargains. It is entirely possible | | | | drive home with the car of your dreams. |
| that a car worth $14,000 might be selling for $10,000 or | | | | |