by Sarah E. Sanuth

Created on: January 12, 2008

Can't sell your car privately? Don't think that anyone would be willing to give you anything for it? Or maybe you even think that you vehicle is ready for the junk yard, never mind for someone else to drive?

Regardless of the condition of you vehicle, auctions provide sellers a perfect outlet to unload their vehicle.

Auction come in many different types and are sometimes open to different types of people.

The first type of auction is usually open to dealers only. These auctions allow dealers to sell their unwanted inventory to other dealers that may have a use for them. Unless you know someone who is a dealer, you won't have access to one of these auctions. However, if you do know someone who is, it might be perfect. Let the bidding war begin. You might not get exactly what you wanted, but you don't have to worry about the buyer coming back and trying to bite you in the rear.

Other auctions strictly deal with the average person. You bring in the vehicle and title and that is it. Once the vehicle is sold, the amount of money the vehicle sold for less the seller's fee, go straight into your pocket.

Online auctions are another option. As long as you disclose certain things and don't deceive the buyer, you are all set. These work in the same manner as regular auction except it may reach al larger audience. EBay Motors offers this option as well. Sell the vehicle, pay the listing fee, and you're off.

Car badly banged up but still runs? Even if it doesn't, there are auctions that strictly deal with vehicles that have been in accidents. These auctions are known as impact auctions. All the same rules still apply no matter what type of auction you are dealing with.
What happens if the highest bidder on your vehicle isn't offering you nearly as much as you are willing to take for the vehicle? You don't have to accept it. You may still, however, discuss the sale with the potential buyer after you have denied his offer. This is considered arbitration.

You don't have to be there to sell your vehicle either. You don't have to engage the customer. The auction will also play as a middle man in the event that you are not there. The highest bid in this case is called an "if" bid. That means it is only a sale "if" the seller accepts it. You can also tell the auction what you are willing to take and if that amount has been reached, they will let the car go for that price.

Though selling your vehicle privately may yield a higher income, auctions serve as a middle man between you, the seller, and the buyer. Auctions also provide protections that hold you, and them, harmless against any suit that may arise of from a buyer not being happy with what they purchased. There is a no point of return with an auction. This may be extremely helpful depending on the laws in your state.

Auctions also provide services as well. For a small fee, you can have the tow the vehicle to the auction and even recondition the vehicle for you. They have a staff on hand just for this purpose. If you opt to take advantage of these services, you may have them take the fee out of the selling price of the vehicle.

Auctions also don't require the vehicle to be in any certain condition or have any supporting documentation. All you need is the car and the title, as long as the vehicle is not exempt from being titled. The exempt laws from state to state may vary. In New Hampshire the law states that any vehicle newer than 15 years needs to have a title. So right now in New Hampshire, if a vehicle is a 1992, it does not need to have a title and any title that you may have for that vehicle is not considered for ownership.

So when you can't sell that vehicle yourself, consider the auction. It just might be worth it.

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