Here are some basic precautions you need to take before participating in a car auction. Bring copies of the Kelley Blue Book and the NADA guide to check auto prices. Check to see if all the car's Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) match up. Take care to examine the car itself for signs of past damage.
In general with government pre-owned vehicles the risk for you as a purchaser is less than normal. As I'm sure anyone can appreciate that the US Government does not want to be accused for selling vehicles without full disclosure!
Even so you need to cover off everything regardless. Also, many vehicles are repossessed or seized. In these cases you must be sure the title history is clean and that the vehicle has not been rebuilt in any way. The vehicle history report will give you peace of mind.
Most auctions provide a complimentary "Carfax report"/vehicle history for all their vehicles. You should request one at the vehicle inspection day which is usually held 2 days prior to auction day.
If you don't plan to attend the inspection day (you should if you can) then give the auction house a call and confirm they provide such information on auction day. If they don't then you should consider purchasing access to this information from Carfax.com prior to auction day. Reports usually cost around $30 and, in our opinion, are worth if for the piece of mind.
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