Inspecting Cars To Buy At Phoenix Auto Auctions

At a Phoenix auto auction there are a great range of cars to choose from; they vary greatly in age, make and model, and an auction can be a great place to pick up a good deal. However, it is always worth approaching cars not bought at a dealership with caution. This article will provide you with details on how Phoenix auto auctions can save you money on used automobiles.

At some Phoenix auto auctions the cars will be 'sold as seen'. This means that it is not possible to inspect them beforehand. In this case it is important to check them immediately after purchase, as most of the cars will come with some sort of warranty from the Phoenix auto auction itself, to protect buyers who have purchased a car with a serious defect.

However, many Phoenix auto auctions will publish listings before hand of available cars, with times available to come and inspect. In this case looking for the following signs should help you to avoid walking away with a dud.

Rust is the enemy of cars. Whether it's on the brakes, the body work or the wheels, rust is a bad sign. Even at Phoenix auto auctions, inevitably there will be wearing on older cars, but any more than a few flakes is a cause for concern. Also look out for any obviously new paint jobs. Quick and cheap paint jobs can be used to cover rust and other defects. Like people, a healthy looking outside doesn't always mean a healthy inside. A coat of paint can hide a multitude of sins! With that in mind, always make sure to check the underside of the car and inside the engine for rust and other obvious wearing too. The engine doesn't necessarily have to be sparkling, but it should be free of rust and any other obvious oil, coolant and washer fluid leakage.

Also, check the alignment of the body panels. Any poorly aligned body panels may point to an earlier wreck. While a Phoenix auto auction will never knowingly sell you a salvaged car without declaring it, some people selling at auto auctions will try to pull fast ones. If a car has been salvaged and it is not declared to the insurance company, this can make the insurance invalid if it is discovered once a claim has been made.

At a lot of Phoenix auto auctions it is possible to test drive cars before purchase. If this is the case then it is important to listen carefully to the brakes. Even on older cars it is important for the brakes to be fairly quiet, and to stop you in a reasonable distance. If they don't stop you then don't buy!
A full service history and receipts for any additional work done to the car are also good to look out for. If you have the full service history you can be more confident that the car is in the proper condition, and will more likely be better maintained than cars with no service history.

These tips can be followed by anyone, regardless of their level of expertise, and should give a rough indication of quality. Remember though, that Phoenix auto auctions are full of experienced people who will be able to help you make the right purchase.