Should you opt for this method, do some research in Consumer Reports, then get there early to inspect the vehicles. The pre-auction time is the only chance you'll get to hear the car run. The down-side to this method is that most of the bidders are the public and NOT dealers or wholesalers. The public generally bids on cars based on the prices they've seen in the newspaper or an auto trader publication. The bids start at a much higher amount than they do at the dealer only auctions.
Dealers tend to go by the book value because they all intend to re-sell the car.
The bids start much lower. Another negative to auctions is that you will never know the true reason the car is being sold or how it was treated while in use. Auctions require a very keen eye and can be risky. Mike Mike Owens is Service Manager of Fred's Foreign Car Service of Dallas, Texas. All rights reserved.