And you need to start with verifying the seller’s data. Availability of documents and certificates.
It is extremely important to understand who sells the car, because, in principle, both companies and individuals can sell at auctions.
The ideal option is when the car is sold by an insurance company. In this case, the car is sold “as it is”, without “decorations”.
And private persons (dealers) put up tuning cars at auctions, which is fraught with a large overpayment for poorly made repairs.
This thesis is easily illustrated by the following example.
Outbuildings never make quality repairs! This is an axiom. It makes no sense for them to turn to professional craftsmen, spend money on original spare parts, etc.
Their task is to take a battered car cheaper, give it a “marketable” look and sell it as soon as possible. Often they do not even chase a large margin, they earn on the back of cars.
What cars it makes sense to buy in the US
Buying a car in America for yourself, the question of subsequent liquidity should be important. In the end, your life circumstances may change, the car may become corny, etc. And after a year or two, you want to sell it.
If desired, Toyota Camry or Hyundai Sonata can be sold quickly and at an average market price.
Here are some models that it makes sense to buy in the US or Canada:
- Volkswagen Jetta
- Volkswagen Passat
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- HondaAccord
- HyundaiSonata
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Mazda CX-5
- BMW 5
- Lexus RX
- Tesla Model S
Damage assessment
If you have never encountered car repair, trust it with a professional.
Damage to the mind may be “minor”. And dealers will do their best to convince you of this. Like, just a replacement bumper. Only the wing is slightly wrinkled. Only a new radiator is needed. Behind these damages actually bent spars or other serious "moments" can disappear.
Resellers are trying to make as little as possible photos from favorable angles for damaged cars. If you have doubts, it is better to attract a person on the spot who can take more photos of the car you are interested in.
Based on several dozen photos, an experienced professional can tell whether it is worth taking a car from the USA. Actually, many today and do. The service "remote troubleshooting" on the photo is becoming increasingly popular.
The master can, with a high degree of probability, say how much a broken car repair can cost. To recommend to refuse to buy a car, the restoration of which will cost too much.
Of the obvious things that can be operated on and without the involvement of professionals, it is worth mentioning such moments - as practice shows, it is easier to restore frontal damage than rear ones, there is no need to get involved in “shifters” and “drowned” cars.
Buying a car at a US auction
The main mistake that is made during the bidding process at the auction is emotions. Or rather, excitement.
The main rule is not to confuse buying a car with playing in a casino. It is not worth the fight with other participants.
Determine the maximum bid for you, do not rush, do not let emotions overwhelm you.
You still wait for your car. Not on this auction, so on the next.