Tips For Buying A Fleet Car At Auction
If you’re looking for an inexpensive, reliable used car without a lot of frills, a fleet car may be the right solution for you. Since there are so many of them, fleet vehicles are common fixtures of auto auctions. That’s the good news, but the bad news is that because there are so many of them, there’s a lot of variation when it comes to quality and condition. Just because they all look the same on the outside doesn’t mean one is just as good as another. It’s also important for anyone interested in buying a fleet vehicle at auction to understand how to spot the right one. With that in mind, here are some basic tips you can follow while looking for a fleet vehicle at an auto auction.
1. Look for well-maintained cars. . This should be at the top of your checklist no matter what type of car you’re looking for at an auction. However, it’s especially important when looking at fleet vehicles because of the amount of wear and tear they tend to get when compared to privately owned vehicles. Whether the fleet vehicle was a taxi cab, a police cruiser or another type of service vehicle, chances are it has racked up more miles than the average car. However, many fleet vehicles still have received regular maintenance and are in just as good a condition as your average vehicle. Be sure to ask for the vehicle’s service history before placing your bid at a fleet vehicle auction, and don’t take a chance on a fleet vehicle that hasn’t been serviced regularly.
2. Choose a fleet vehicle based on your needs, not on price. It can be tempting to look for the deepest discount when shopping for a used fleet vehicle at auction. However, just because one vehicle is much cheaper than another doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you. Be sure the fleet vehicle you’re considering meets all of the needs you have for a vehicle before you place a bid. Otherwise, you may drive off the lot with a little extra money in your pocket, but with a vehicle that doesn’t meet your needs. Because there are so many fleet vehicles out there for purchase at fleet auto auctions, it pays to be patient and wait for the vehicle that best suits your needs as well as your budget.
3. Always check the vehicle’s history whenever possible. No matter what type of vehicle you’re looking for at an fleet car auction, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is in good working condition. That means asking for the vehicle’s maintenance history whenever possible. The majority of fleet vehicles should have meticulous maintenance records available, because most fleets understand the value of keeping their vehicles in the best possible condition at all times.
4. Purchase your fleet vehicle at an auction that stands behind its vehicles. Reputable public auto auctions will stand behind the vehicles they sell so that in the event of anything unexpected, you won’t be left holding the bag. You’ll also be assured that the cars sold at the fleet vehicle auction are being fairly represented. Capital Auto Auction has a wide selection of former fleet vehicles and other types of used vehicles for sale, with public auctions happening all the time. Take a look at our calendar of upcoming auctions and our inventory of vehicles to find the next great used car you need.