Auto auctions are an excellent alternative to buying a used car from the paper, the Internet or a dealership. At an auto action, you can find automobiles that have been repossessed by loan companies, seized by the government, or impounded by police. In many cases the auctioned autos are in excellent condition and can be purchased at a huge discount.

Here are a few important things that you should know about an auto auction. You can usually view all of the automobiles up for action a day or two before the action begins. You should look at all the vehicles you are interested in and rate them as your first, second, or third choice. In many cases, the company providing the action service will provide a list with the order of the auctioned vehicles so you can be prepared when the auction begins.

Some auto action outfits require you to pay a small registration fee to bid on their autos. This helps them cover costs. Auto auctions that are run by local, state, or federal agencies usually do not require a registration fee.

You should also be aware that auto auctions require you to pay in full if you have the winning bid on a car. You can sometimes pay with a personal check but you will likely be required to also provide a letter of guarantee or a major credit card to cover the drafted amount.