Thousands of people every day are purchasing salvage cars for sale at auctions like A Better Bid (ABB) salvage car. Is this something that everyone should consider?
Everyone is talking about salvage cars and the amazing value they represent. More importantly, though: should you consider buying a salvage car?
Read further to see if a salvage car might be something you should consider for your future.
What Is A Salvage Car?
The first step in purchasing a salvage car is to figure out exactly what a salvage car is.
Buying a salvage car is completely different compared to walking into a car dealer and picking out a car from their showroom. Salvage cars have damage to them that requires repair before the car is legally allowed to be on the road but typically require much less capital upfront compared to a used car dealer.
Insurance companies, like Direct Auto, determine when the damage to a car is significant and costly enough to declare the car salvage and sell it at an auction held by companies like IAAI. Once the car has been branded as “salvage,” dealers and sometimes general public customers can purchase them as cheap cars.
How Do I Know If A Salvage Car Is Right For Me?
Just because you can find some great deals on salvage vehicles like motorcycles, trucks, SUVs, and others does not necessarily mean that it is for everyone. Almost everyone, though, can save money by purchasing salvage cars.
Salvage cars are not always “junk cars.” Many salvage cars can be repaired and returned to roadworthiness while some are junk cars that house tons of parts ready for harvesting.
One of the biggest things to contemplate when considering a salvage car purchase is the repairs you will need to complete to get it back on the road. It could be that you are very handy with auto repair and can do the repair yourself, or you have a good shop that you trust to get work done well and inexpensively.
Another thing to keep in mind is vehicle storage. Again, salvage vehicles will almost invariably require some repair and you will need a place that you can keep and work on the car until it is legally drivable once again.
Doing research on salvage automobiles is key. You want to find a vehicle that, even when repaired, would still be valuable compared to new and used options.
The great news is that there are hundreds of thousands of cars being auctioned every day and some of those may not need much work at all to be roadworthy again. Almost anyone can find a vehicle that, with a little determination and elbow grease, will save them thousands, and maybe tens of thousands, of dollars on a vehicle.
Where Can You Purchase Salvage And Auction Vehicles?
There are some really big names in the auto industry that auction off cars like Mecum, Manheim, and Barret Jackson. There are also some newer players like Cars and Bids that also auction off some really great cars.
Here are some options that we think can offer some amazing vehicles at a great value.
A Better Bid
As registered Copart brokers, A Better Bid (ABB) online auto auction gives members direct access to bid on salvage vehicles for sale that are normally only available to dealers.
At A Better Bid, you can buy vehicles where the dealers buy them and cut out the middleman. This will save you money!
Fairway Auto Auction
If you are looking for auto auctions in the Midwest, Fairway Auto Auction is an excellent choice. It is a strictly dealer-only auction, but you may be able to find a broker that can help you purchase through FAA.
When you purchase through FAA, there are tons of services they offer to help speed things along. With things like a free wash and vacuum to a full detail center and mechanical diagnoses, Fairway Auto Auction can help you score a great deal on a beautiful car.
Columbus Fair Auto Auction
Another Midwestern auto auction to consider is Columbus Fair Auto Auction (CFAA). Most of their vehicles tend to be late-model vehicles or fleet vehicles.
CFAA holds auctions every Wednesday both online and in-person for your comfort. With tons of inventory, CFAA can help you find a great deal on a nice late-model vehicle.
Orlando Longwood Auto Auction
Switching gears to the eastern seaboard, Orlando Longwood Auto Auction holds auctions every Thursday and Friday. Thursdays are for inoperable vehicles and Fridays are for regular used vehicles.
You must have a dealer’s license to be able to purchase cars through OLAA, but you can probably find a broker that would be willing to help you out. If you’re looking for a late-model Mercedes GLA250 or a 2002 Ford Escape to use as a beater, then OLAA has you covered with tons of options.
Conclusion
For most people in the market for a used car, salvage cars can be a fantastic option with a much lower entry price. There are many ways that salvage cars can be a great option from those wanting a project car to those who just want to find a great deal.
