You can search for police auctions in certain areas online. Focus on auctions outside of a major city, if possible, or in a smaller town or city, as these may be less crowded than auctions held in larger cities or known areas.
If you have your eye on a Mercedes-Benz CLK listed online, for example, you should note the details listed for the car. Then, you should research the market value of a used Mercedes-Benz CLK and determine how much you would be willing to bid for the car. Make sure you are clear on the maximum you would be willing to spend on the car as this can prevent you from overbidding in the chaos of the auction.
You will also need to cover the cost of taxes, title, and registration fees. Cars sold at auction do not come with a warranty and are considered “as is” so you will likely need to purchase insurance and a warranty for the car once you buy it. You will also need enough money to cover the cost of towing the car from the auction and the cost of cutting new keys for the vehicle if it is sold without keys.
Lift the hood of the vehicle and give it a good inspection. Look at the brakes, the shocks, and the quality of the tires on the vehicle. This will help you determine if the vehicle is worth bidding on and how much you should bid for the vehicle.
Avoid making quick, in the heat of the moment decisions and really be certain you want a vehicle before you start bidding on it. You don’t want to end up having to pay more for a vehicle than you can afford or than it’s worth because you got caught up in a bidding war.
Some auctions allow you to store your purchased vehicle, for a fee, if you cannot pay for a tow or are planning to do maintenance on the car another time.
