Police Vehicle Auctions
So you are at a point where no one really needs to sell you on the fact that police vehicle auctions are a good place to shop for bargains. Perhaps you just need a good strategy to follow in order to translate your efforts to some serious dollar savings. If you’re strategy includes the following 4 steps, you will be well placed to achieving your goals set for these auctions.
The Car Inspection
This is an absolute golden opportunity given by the police department – the opportunity to, in-depth, inspect all parts of the car. Make sure that you use it!! Most auctioneers won’t actually allow you to drive the car for a ‘test run’, but you will at least be in a position to inspect the engine and look for any troubling mechanical signs.
The Vehicle’s Registration Number (VIN)
Where most people get into trouble is when they overlook the fundementals. If you need an overview report on the auto’s history (on issues such as if it’s been stolen, damaged, etc), you can obtain this with the vehicles registration number at no cost. This report will give you exactly the sort of information you need to determine if you want to even buy the car at police auction
The Title
Granted the police department does do a little bit of work to confirm if there are any outstanding liens on the car. They generally don’t however do a very good job of it. Rather check this for yourself as it’s a gutting experience to have the auto that you just bought repossessed by a creditor.
The Valuation
If you enter the auction without knowing what a reasonable market valuation of the vehicle would, you are setting yourself up for serious trouble. It’s like driving downhill without any brakes on your car. If you don’t know what the valuation of the car is you will bid till you get it – more often than not substantially more that it’s worth. Because of this, ensure that you do know the accurate valuation and DO NOT bid a single cent more on it.
With all of this information you will usually be perfectly prepped for a standard police vehicle auction. Many people also get caught up with the events on the day – especially true for live public events. To be successful you need to remain relaxed and keep to your pre-planned strategy. The most successful bidders the ones that remain relaxed and collected. With their fixed strategy they usually walk away as the winners.
