If you want to have a car but do not want to put a lot of strain on your finances, why not buy a pre-owned one from auto auctions. Although getting cars from auctions is not entirely risk-free, given that there’s a possibility of you getting a lemon, this is not something you can’t avoid. Spending some time to research on the car you wish to buy and common sense will allow you to home in on great finds.
How auto auctions work
Vehicles that are auctioned off come from different sources. Some of these cars have a reserve value which will be the lowest figure the seller will accept, and thus the auctioneer cannot sell below this value. A sale catalogue is usually made available to buyers so they can decide which ones to bid on. Just like in other auctions, the vehicle is awarded to the highest bidder.
One of the best sources for second hand cars would be from Japanese car auctions. The preference for vehicles sold at Japan’s car auctions is because these usually have lower odometer readings, are in better condition, and not as superannuated as those auctioned off elsewhere. Private buyers cannot participate in Japan’s car auctions though as this activity is reserved to Japan-based dealers holding auction membership. Membership is limited to companies, mostly dealerships that are operating in Japan, as a way of ensuring that the auction process remains orderly. Majority if not all of these member dealerships operate their own websites so buyers offshore can browse through auction listings and make a proxy bid. On the date of the auction, the dealership will bid up to the amount that you have set. This is usually done off-site, and the whole process can be finished in a few minutes. If you are the highest bidder, it is your obligation to pay off the balance so the purchased vehicle can be shipped to you.
Evaluating a vehicle at auctions
To the risk-averse, not being able to test drive a car prior to purchase can be truly discouraging. Despite this limitation, it is still possible to see if the car is a good buy or not by looking at the car’s structural and aesthetic integrity. These can be found on the auction sheet, which also contains the overall grade of the vehicle and the inspector’s notes. Reading and understanding its contents is necessary so you can determine if the car is worth buying or not, and to help you decide how much to bid to secure it.
How to choose a dealer
Working with an offshore company need not be cumbersome. For your convenience, it would be best if you hire a dealership or exporter that has a native speaker of English or at least someone proficient enough to help you in getting a car from Japanese car auctions. They should also have a clear and simple pricing structure, so there aren’t surprises later on. Also check if they are a member of JUMVEA, the industry’s watchdog. Evaluate multiple dealers before committing to one. Remember, the cheapest is not always the most reliable. Check if they respond to emails and queries promptly, and look at the percentage of successful bids. Go with one with a good track record, easy to work with, and have years of experience in the industry.
Looking for pre-owned vehicles that are in good condition and have low mileage? Consider getting one from Japanese car auction. Learn more about Japan car auction by clicking here.

Posts