how-to-sell-a-car-at-auction

HOW TO SELL A CAR AT AUCTION

How to sell a car at auction is easy if you do the research.

Some auctions are specialized, while others are more general. To attract the right buyers and achieve the best price, you want to enter your vehicle in the right kind of auction. For example, you wouldn't want to put your rare 1960 Corvette into a general auction.

What You Need

    Car to sell
    Kelly Blue book (kbb.com)
    Money for consignment fee
    Digital camera
    Computer

1 - Make Sure You Can Legally Sell a Car
No matter the type of auction, you will consider certain common factors. The first is that you can legally sell a car. You’ll need to either have the title to the car in your name or hold a dealer’s license so you can legally sell the vehicle.

2 - Establish a Sale Price
You also need to be very aware of the value of your vehicle. Take into account its age, wear and, if applicable, its rarity. Finding the values of most cars is quite easy. You simply have to consult kelly blue book (kbb.com), which is one of the services the auto industry uses to establish values.

With collector vehicles, you’ll need to research what similar models in the same condition have achieved at sale. In both cases, use these figures to set your reserve, which is the lowest price you’ll formally accept. If there are no bids above the reserve price, the car is returned to you unsold. Set the reserve for the absolute lowest figure you’ll accept.

3 - Sell a Car at Collector Auctions
With collector cars, your best route is to go with a company that specializes in collector car auctions. You'll find several dotted around the country. You’ll need to fill out a number of forms and give the company several pictures of your vehicle. You will pay a consignment fee, which is usually nominal. Be aware that the auction company will also take a percentage of the selling price, so figure that into your reserve and your asking price.

4 - Sell a Car at Public Auctions
If your car has engine problems or body damage, you might consider a public auction. Whereas most dealers or private buyers will refuse to purchase a damaged vehicle, auctions draw in other buyers from scrapyards and elsewhere. These buyers will see some value in the vehicle. Be prepared to accept a low price, however.

5 - Sell a Car at an Internet Auction
These days, plenty of people sell their cars via Internet auctions. It’s not a complicated procedure, although you can do a number of things to increase your chances of a sale.

Be honest when you describe your car, especially if the body has sustained any damage. You don’t need to write an essay about the vehicle, but do offer a full description. Make sure you take plenty of photographs, inside and out, to show the condition of the vehicle. One of the pictures should be of the odometer.

You will have to pay to list the vehicle, and you’ll also have to pay a small percentage of the selling price to the auction site. Unless you simply want to be rid of the automobile, set a sensible reserve price and specify that the buyer has to collect the car.