When looking to buy a vehicle for less than a thousand dollars, it’s wise to check out auctions. You can locate advertisements on the radio, or in newspapers for public auctions that are local. Great sources that are local are wholesale, estate, and dealer auctions. LemonFree.com, craigslist and eBay all have online auctions.


Look over the vehicles before or during the auction or at a scheduled inspection day. Understand what you need prior to attending the auction. Give yourself one to two hours to inspect the vehicle’s interior and exterior. Inspect the lights, radio, interior, windows, trunk, mileage, and any additional parts. Do some investigating on your own, prior to looking at the car you are interested in, to make sure that it meets your requirements. Verify that there are stickers that state that there is a legitimate title or that the car is in working condition.

Be sure to go into a car auction with a maximum amount that you are willing to spend; do not be tempted to bid higher than that amount, no matter how much you like the car. It’s very tempting to get excited about the bidding and then spend more than you had planned.

Prior to the auction, find out the value of your desired vehicle. There are online pricing guides like National Auto Dealer’s Association, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds, that can guide you in the right direction. Research similar cars on eBay to understand where the bidding starts and stops. You might get ideas from local dealer websites. In this manner, you’ll be able to assess the price of similar vehicles.

Ensure you have reviewed the terms of sale before your purchase. There might be penalties if you don’t, after winning the bid, take possession, or remit payment for the vehicle.