Auto Auctions in Chicago

Are you in the market for a vehicle, but tired of visiting used car lots and haggling with salesmen? Then, Chicagoland auto auctions may be your answer.
 
An auto auction runs like a typical auction (see About Auctions for more info)—complete with auctioneer, sellers, bidders, and a variety of items (in this case, a variety of automobiles) up for sale. You also find the same amount of fun, competition, energy, and excitement at an automobile auction as you would at a general auction. However, auto auctions are all about selling vehicles fast and efficiently.
 
Many Chicago IL automobile auction sites host regular auto auctions with buying opportunities on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis. Therefore, if you do not find what you want the first-time around, then you can always return to the auto auction at a later date. Some sites also offer Internet bidding, so you can take part in the action from your home or office.
 
However, if you’re interested in attending or participating in an auto auction, here are a few things you will want to know before you go.
 
Types of Chicago Auto Auctions
 
You can find many types of automobile auctions out there, but not all of them are open to the public. Before you begin your auto auctions search, be sure to familiarize yourself with the nuances of each autoauction:
 

• Online auto auctions – automotive auctions via the Internet are much like other types of motor auctions where sellers list vehicles (including as much or as little as they want to say about the listed property). All bidding takes place from an online auto auction website (like eBay Motors), and all buyers are contractually obligated to follow through on their purchases if they are indeed the highest bidder. Also, buyers and sellers can usually arrange shipment or delivery details through the auto auction website itself.
• Wholesale auto auctions – these auctions are generally limited to car dealers buying cars brought to the Chicago auto auction by other car dealers. Many of the vehicles up for bid at a wholesale motor auction were previously used as rentals or leases. Other cars often seen at wholesale automobile auctions include rare exotic cars that collector dealers try to sell, trade-ins that a dealer does not sell at a particular dealership, popular vehicles that dealers hope to sell above MSRP at the auto auction, and older used cars that major dealers will not try to sell on their lots.
• Public auto auctions – a public motor auction in Chicago IL is exactly as it sounds, an autoauction open to the general public to come, bid, and even sell their vehicles.
• Government automobile auctions – at a government and police auto auction, the vehicles being auctioned off are government-owned cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. These automobiles were likely seized by the government or are retired fleet vehicles. The GSA (General Services Administration) auto auctions are open to the general public.
• Salvage auto auctions – these auto auctions are also known as insurance auto auctions and are not open to the general public, due to the damaged condition of the vehicles being auctioned off. Only experienced professionals who know what they are getting into should take part in salvage automobile auctions in Illinois.

 
Chicagoland Auto Auction Tips
 
Going to an auto auction can be a fun and thrifty way for you to purchase your next car. However, you need to arm yourself with a little motor auction advice before you start offering up your first bid. So, here are a few things you will need to know:
 

• Be sure to do your homework prior to the day of the automobile auction. If possible, check out the Auto Auction Catalog (either at the automobile auction site or online) to decide on which vehicles you may want to bid. Be sure to check out the blue book value for a car in that listed condition, and then determine your maximum bid.
• Know prior to the automobile auction the terms and conditions of that auto auction site. For example, you will want to know whether the auto auction site charges a buyer’s premium, a fee that could make a difference in how much you’re willing to bid. Also, be sure to check what forms of payment the Chicagoland auto auction site accepts.
• Run a thorough Vehicle History Report. To make sure you aren’t getting a lemon, try to get the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from the seller and run a thorough Vehicle History Report to make sure nothing fishy shows up. If something looks off, then you may want to keep shopping.
• Show up early to the Chicago IL motor auction site and inspect the vehicle(s) with an eagle eye. Be on the lookout for damaged rims, flood damage, a rebuilt title, uneven tire wear (a sign of bad alignment), excessive damage, and anything else that just looks “not quite right” to you. If you aren’t a “car person,” take someone with you who is.
• Don’t get caught up in a bidding war and end up paying more than what you intended. Decide prior to the automobile auction that getting a good deal trumps the thrill of the win, and stick to your guns.

 
So what are you waiting for? Swing by today and check out our facility. From Boston to Chicago to sunny San Diego, auto auction sites abound! Your next car may be just around the corner.