Most everybody enjoys autos. And they’re always in search of great deals. These two aspects combine for a general love of great deals on cars. Some of the best car deals around can be found when authorities offer impounded cars for sale. That’s known as an auction. For those who know their stuff incredible cars are available at incredible prices.

Where do these cars come from for the auctions? Cars involved in crimes, or that belong to criminals, are often impounded. Laws are in place to allow authorities to take all the possessions away from drug dealers, for example. That means a lot of cars, often very fancy cars, in the hands of the city or state who wants to sell them for a profit. Tickets also generate a lot of these cars. If the owner doesn’t pay to reclaim the car, it’s offered for sale.

Dealerships often sell or in turn auction off cars they purchase at auctions. Auctioneers also buy cars and then sell them at their own auction. This isn’t important. At some point the car is up for sale to the highest bidder and can become a whale of a deal for a savvy person. Don’t go in with your eyes closed. Buyer beware at an auction.

There’s usually no warranty offered with these autos. It’s a case of what you see is what you get. That is, in the auto industry, “as is.” The seller can even engage in puffery in most states. When car dealers say “clean as a whistle” that’s puffery. They might even make claims like “it might as well be new.” These sound like specific descriptions or even promises of a well working auto. However, on closer examination they really don’t mean too much other than “here’s a worm, grab the hook.”

The wise thing to do is go in with knowledge and expertise. Inspect the autos thoroughly. That means attending an auction with an automotive expert if you don’t know much about cars. Auctions offer test drives so use them. There may be bargains when there are impounded cars for sale. However, if great deals were easy to find everyone would have them.