Most everybody enjoys autos. And most people want bargains. Whether it be haggling with a dealership for new cars, or kicking the tires while talking down a used car salesman, people also love deals on cars. Some of the best car deals around can be found when authorities offer impounded cars for sale. They generally do that via auction. If you know what you’re doing you can find terrific deals there..

Where do the auctions find the cars? Cars involved in crimes, or that belong to criminals, are often impounded. For example its the law that drug dealers’ possessions are confiscated and sold. The city or state then has lots of cars, sometimes luxury cars, that they want to sell. Tickets also generate a lot of these cars. The car is offered for sale when the fines reach a point that the owner can’t pay.

Often the cars are purchased by individuals who sell them for a profit. Auctioneers also buy cars and then sell them at their own auction. It really makes no difference. 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.

The first thing to keep in mind is these cars are generally sold with no warranty. All sales are final and it’s up to you to do the homework”. In other words, the car is “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.” The law says these aren’t warranties even though they sound like it. 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. Take a good look at the cars. That means attending an auction with an automotive expert if you don’t know much about cars. Take advantage of the test drives most auctions offer. There may be bargains when there are impounded cars for sale. But remember that if it seems too good to be true it usually is.