How to Buy a Car at Auction in Michigan
How to Buy a Car at Auction in Michigan
What is an Auto Auction?
Your next used car is the right around the corner, if you could only find it. Pontiac Auto Auction aims to help by providing you an easy way to choose and bid on a wide selection of used cars and the confidence that you know exactly what you’re buying.
An auto auction, like Pontiac Public Auto Auction in Pontiac, Michigan, works like most auctions. Buying cars at auction is the process of bidders competing until only one bidder is left.
Some auctions are dealer-only auctions, which means that only licensed dealers, dismantlers, out-of-state automotive businesses, and vehicle exporters may bid.
We are open to everyone, dealers, mechanics, and the general public. You will need to register in order to bid. Sign up here!
Pontiac Auto Auction is ONLINE ONLY. Auctions are every 1st and 3rd Saturday at 10 AM. Check out our calendar.
Where do Auction Cars Come From?
Many auctions, like Pontiac Auto Auctions, get their vehicles from charitable donations. We also have a wide variety of repossessed vehicles, dealer consignments, and government vehicles.
We regularly keep our inventory of vehicles up to date with detailed condition reports and high quality photos.
How Does an Auto Auction Work?
- Check out an auction’s inventory and identify the vehicles you’re most interested in. listed vehicles. It’s a good idea, when possible, to have a few target vehicles.
- You can’t beat inspecting the car in-person. Pontiac Auto Auction holds viewings on inventory every Friday before an auction from 12 PM to 4 PM.
- After registering for a bidder account, sign on at the time of the auction. Bids often start at $100 and proxy bids are accepted throughout the week.
- To bid online, you must first sign up on our website, enter your information, upload the required documents, credit card information, and select a bidder type.
- Fees are on a sliding scale based on the sale price. Upon winning, a deposit between $300 and $500 will be withdrawn. The vehicle must then be paid for in full and picked up within 2 business days.
Have more questions? Visit our FAQ.
In-Person vs Online Auto Auctions
Attending an in-person auction can be a fun experience and usually comes with a full day’s worth of activities, plus the experience of checking out cars and talking to other buyers.
But if you’re just looking for a simple, straightforward bidding experience, online auctions provide a lot of convenience and comfort. After all, you can bid from your couch with a cup of coffee in hand.
You don’t have to be on your feet all day, and you may find it easier to bid aggressively on your computer instead of in a crowd.
Come prepared with your target vehicles, a budget, and a bit of perseverance. See our calendar for dates!
Remember, Pontiac Auto Auction is ONLINE ONLY.
Do I Need a License To Buy a Car at Auction in Michigan?
At Pontiac Public Auto Auction, you will need a valid U.S. driver’s license, and you must be over 18,
Tips for Buying a Car at Auction
Don’t go into an auction with being prepared.
- We can’t emphasize enough attending the inventory viewing the day before the auction. Bring a checklist and inspect thoroughly. Bring a mechanic or your car enthusiast. Take him or her out to lunch for the help.
- Be aggressive. Bidding takes perseverance and patience. If you lose, don’t sweat it, our inventory is refreshed with new used cars frequently.
- Be disciplined with your budget. Factor in all costs additional to the price tag, including the sliding scale fees. You can view those fees once you’ve created an account.
Why Buy from Pontiac Public Auto Auctions?
Besides our amazing customer service and professionalism, we make buying a great used car easy and fun.
We are confident that the prices you see on our site are much lower than local dealers.
As previously stated, many of our cars come from charitable neighbors. We partner with CARS, the official partner of over 8,000 non-profits. CARS is a fantastic organization that supports thousands of charities with a portion of sales from auctioned cars.