What You Should Know Before Bidding in Online Car Auctions
Look, the used car game has changed. Forget those days of scouring classified ads and haggling with shady used car salesmen. These days, it’s all about the internet. You’ve got your eBay Motors, your Facebook Marketplace, your Craigslist – all decent places to find a used car.
But here’s my used car advice: the real action is happening at online auto auctions. These aren’t your grandpa’s auctions anymore.
We’re talking major auctions across the country putting their vehicle inventory online, and that means you can find some decent deals without the hassle of used car lots.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: online auctions can be confusing. That’s where Car Auction Network comes in. I’ve cut through the noise and put together a guide to online auto auctions that’s as straightforward as they come.
I’ll walk you through the different types of auctions, how to register, how to place bids, and everything else you need to know to come out on top.
Trust me, with a little know-how and the right resources, you can find your next car online for a price that’ll make your jaw drop. I feel that Car Auction Network is the perfect place to start.
- Greg Smokes, Owner and Editor of Car Auction Network
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In the past, these tended to not be open to the public and were generally exclusive to licensed new and used car dealers. Online auctions now provide the ability to easily bid on a variety of auctions, from foreclosure auctions to government surplus auctions — and, of course, wholesale car auctions with repossessed cars for sale and also fleet vehicles, lease vehicles, and more.
However, more and more auctions are offering online auto auctions for licensed dealers and some are also open to the public. Similar to eBay Motors, these platforms allow anyone to bid on car online as the auction is happening live on location.
Online Car Auctions Website List – Public Auctions & Dealer Auctions
America’s Auto Auction – Internet Auctions Dealers-only online car auctions with auction lots around the United States. I have used them quite a bit and they have bought several independent auctions over the years, adding to their portfolio.
Car Dealer King’s Auto Auction Directory – Online Auctions – This car auction listings directory, managed by yours truly, Greg Smokes, can help you use maps to locate wholesale auto auctions that also offer online internet bidding to the public.
CrankyApe.com – Online Car Auctions – Open to the Public – These car auctions are entirely online and also include boats, ATVs, RVs, and equipment. They are open to the public and you may view auction cars for sale online with photos. I find their website a bit dated compared to others, but there are still plenty of bargains on there, in my experience.
Police Auctions USA’s Online Police Auction Website Guide – Click this link for info on popular police auction websites that allow the public to bid online. Items include seized cars and others, such as boats, ATVs, motorcycles, etc.
Payless Auto Auction – Internet Auction Chandler, AZ 85225 – I like this online car auction because cars from Arizona tend to have less rust and they will help you ship an auction vehicle around the US.
Capital City Auto Auction – Online Car Auctions – Sacramento, CA Capital City Auto Auction was established in 2016 and sources a diverse range of vehicles primarily from charity donations. The dealers-only auction accommodates various buyer needs by offering options like ‘road-ready vehicles’ and ‘mechanics specials’, and allows for online viewing and bidding. Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
Centralia Public Auto Auctions – Internet Auction Centralia Auction conducts auctions every other Sunday. Their website offers a wide variety of vehicle types, including Dealer Consignments and Donated Vehicles. I have had good experiences with their customer service and they are a “noob” friendly car auction. Centralia, WA 98531
Cars and Bids – Cars & Bids is one of my favorite online auction marketplaces, founded by automotive reviewer Doug DeMuro. The website facilitates buying and selling modern enthusiast cars, covering models from the 1980s to the 2020s. It also offers low fees, free vehicle history reports, and a user-friendly interface. I suggest Cars and Bids for more niche models and for automobile enthusiasts.
Salt Lake City Auction – Title Pawn Repo Online Auctions Online bidding with “Buy it now” options on some auction cars. Title pawn repos can be in rough shape sometimes, but in my opinion, the prices more than make up for it if you’re willing to put some work into them.
Auto Auction of Great Falls – Public Online Bidding Ox and Son Auto Auction of Great Falls is another “beginner friendly” public car auction with online bidding. I can recommend them to anyone. – 697 Vaughn South Frontage Rd – Great Falls, MT 59404
Car Auctions in Kansas – Live & Online HiBid Auctions
Norwalk Auto Auction – Dealers-Only Online Auction Norwalk, CA 90650
Interstate Auto Auction – Online Auto Auction – New Hampshire Open to the public – Interstate Car Solution operates a public auto auction in Salem, NH, with weekly events every Wednesday. Their auction site offers a variety of vehicles, and I love the fact that they allow test drives on auction days. Salem, NH 03079
Purple Wave – Online No Reserve Car Auctions – I have seen Purple Wave grow a lot over the years and now you can find all sorts of cars, trucks, equipment, RVs, boats, and more at pretty decent prices. Most of their auction cars for sale are repossessed by banks, credit unions, or finance companies.
71B Auto Auction – Arkansas Dealers only – Auctions are on Tuesdays – I always like bidding at these smaller independent auctions because of the wonderful customer service compared to the larger ones like Manheim, ADESA, or Copart.
Apple Towing – Online Auto Auctions Tow company auctions, government auctions, police auctions, and more online and they are open to the public for most sales. You may bid on US Marshall sales online in all fifty states, including several other government surplus vehicles from federal agencies. This one is another one of my favorites because they offer auction vehicles all around the United States, not just a single location.
Smart Auction – Online Dealers Auto Auction
Greensboro Auto Auction – Online Dealer Simulcast Greensboro, NC 27407
Carriage Trade Public Auto Auction – Live Auction Carriage Trade Public Auto Auction is one of the largest online public car auctions, selling more than 30,000 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and boats, annually. The site caters to both individual buyers and dealerships, featuring weekly public auto auctions and providing online bidding options for dealers. I can recommend this online auction to beginner public bidders anywhere.
Alliance Auto Auction Simulcast – Abilene/Denver/Waco/Dallas
Carolina Auto Auction – Edge Simulcast – Dealers only car auction in Commerce, GA — However, they do host public car auction events on occasion.
Louisiana’s 1st Choice Auto Auction – Simulcast Dealers only – Hammond, LA 70401
Southern Auto Auction Connecticut – Online Auction (Dealers Only)
Columbus Fair Auto Auction (Ohio) – Live Simulcast
Online Car Auctions in California – There are a lot of options for public car auctions in California with online bidding. Most are in San Diego and Los Angeles, but a few are scattered elsewhere.
My Advice on Wholesale Online Auto Auctions Open to the Public
Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. Buying a car online? It’s like playing poker – you need to know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em. But before you even ante up, you gotta do your homework. Most online auctions give you the lowdown on the car’s history – think of it as a Carfax on steroids. You’ll know if it’s been in a fender bender, had any major repairs, even if it’s been used to haul around a pack of St. Bernards.
Now, here’s where things get juicy. Online auctions are packed with clean title cars, trucks, vans – you name it. And the prices? Let’s just say you won’t need to take out a second mortgage to afford your dream ride. But here’s the kicker: some auctions have a reserve price, a secret minimum the seller won’t budge on. That’s why you gotta keep your eyes peeled for those “absolute bidding” gems. That’s where the real feeding frenzy happens – highest bidder takes all, no matter what.
Think outside the box – or in this case, outside your state lines. With online auctions, you can snag a sweet ride from anywhere in the country. Found a cherry red convertible in Florida but you’re stuck in snowy Michigan? No sweat! There are car transport companies that’ll have that bad boy delivered to your doorstep faster than you can say “road trip.”
One last thing: before you jump in headfirst, take a virtual test drive. Watch some live streams of these auctions. You’ll get a feel for the rhythm, the lingo, the whole shebang. It’s like learning the secret handshake before you join the club. And trust me, in the world of online auto auctions, that kind of insider knowledge is priceless.
Online Auto Auctions – Tips For Buying Auction Cars Online
View ALL the photos provided of the used car for sale.
Listen, I’ve seen enough auctions to know a thing or two about spotting a good deal, and those online auctions can be a real goldmine, but don’t get so caught up in the excitement that you forget to do your homework.
Those photos can be deceiving, especially that first one – it’s like they put a filter on it to make it look all shiny and new. You gotta dig deeper, check out those other photos, zoom in on those scratches and dents, look for those telltale signs of wear and tear – the worn-out carpets, the cigarette burns on the seats, the faded paint.
It’s all part of the car’s story, and you need to know what you’re getting into, because a little imperfection is okay, but you gotta factor that into the price. Remember, you’re not just buying a car, you’re buying its history, and that history can come back to bite you if you’re not careful.
So take your time, do your research, and don’t be afraid to walk away if something doesn’t feel right. There are plenty of fish in the sea, or in this case, cars in the online auction, and trust me, the right one will come along.
Use the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to research the history of the auction cars for sale
Almost all auctions will proved the VIN/serial number of the car for sale at an online auto auction. You can use websites, such as CarFAX, to check the history of the vehicle for important factors such as: any wrecks, insurance claims, if the car was used as a rental vehicle, if the mileage has been recorded correctly, etc.
These reports are not free but the money they can save you make them well worth it. In most states, the seller does not have to disclose prior wrecks, etc. It is up to the buyer to do the research and be aware of the car’s history.
Contact the online auto auction and speak with someone on the phone before bidding
While it is easy to register and get started bidding at an online auction, it is best to contact the auction and ask all the questions you can before attempting to bid. Bidding in an auction is considered to be a contract and there is very little recourse for a buyer that has remorse.
Call the car auction first and you can avoid any surprise later. Most importantly, ask them about what form of deposit they require and also ask when and how you will receive the title to the vehicle. Above you can find the best online car auction sites in the US for online bidding that we recommend at Car Auction Network.
These are wholesale used car auctions, so keep in mind that there are other types such as online-only auto auctions.
Wholesale auto auctions tend to feature trade-ins, bank repos, rental fleets and leases, gov surplus vehicles, and more. As always, it is vitally important to pay close attention to the rules and on what auction cars for sale you plan to bid on in the auction.
Last updated on January 23rd, 2025 at 03:39 am
