Authorities in some of the biggest metropolitan areas are often forced to deal with more than a thousand abandoned vehicles each day. This may sound like a burden, but it is good news to individuals who are always after a good deal.

The second-hand auto market is worth billions of dollars, and a hefty profit is always lurking around the corner. Still, you need to play your cards right when searching for abandoned cars for sale. We’ve been in this business for years, and we decided to give you some valuable information about abandoned cars for sale.

Apart from salvage cars found at salvage auto actions, there are abandoned auto auctions that offer bargains as well. Before you start browsing for such cars, you need to know what an abandoned car is by definition.

Which Cars Are Abandoned According to Law

We all know what the word “abandoned” means, but things are different when it comes to vehicles. In the majority of cases, any vehicle that has been sitting unclaimed, stolen, seized by law, or abandoned on private or public property, is referred to as an “abandoned Vehicle”.

In short, if a vehicle has been left unattended for a given period on a public road or a parking lot, or left on someone’s private property without an agreement, that said vehicle is considered abandoned, at least in most of the U.S.

In other parts of the world, the process between the moment a vehicle is reported as abandoned and the time it gets impounded takes between a day and a couple of months to be completed. It always depends on the vehicle status and the type of title it has. In Australia, for example, it’s illegal to leave a car parked on a public road or property if its registration has expired.

These few examples of how things are according to some jurisdictions will give you the general idea:

• Massachusetts: if a vehicle is left unattended for 48 hours, it’s considered abandoned. Local authorities can take possession of such vehicles in just 72 hours;
• Texas: if a vehicle has been parked on someone’s private property for more than 48 hours, it can be legally seized;
• New York: any unclaimed vehicle regardless of where it was parked can be seized within 24 hours if it has registration. Cars with no plates receive a notification tag, and are eventually towed away within 72 hours;
• Iowa: all cars parked on public roads or private property without the owner’s consent are considered abandoned within 24 hours.

Most abandoned cars are literally left somewhere by their former owners who have no intention of claiming ownership over them. If a car is left to rot on a parking lot or a mown, for example, and the vehicle was left there without a mutual agreement for storage, the owners of the property can claim ownership of the said car, following a strict procedure.

People leave their cars behind for various reasons. These include irreparable mechanical problems, personal debt, bankruptcy, relocation, etc. Part of them eventually reach an abandoned car market.

How Can Someone Change the Ownership of Abandoned Cars

First of all, we need to see how an abandoned car can be claimed by the appropriate authority and later disposed of. You must do this even before you start looking to buy abandoned cars.

When authorities in most states or countries decide to declare a car as “junk” or “abandoned”, they need to take certain steps before removing it from its spot. Most often, this is in the form of a written notice that is attached to the car, giving the owner a chance to stop the procedure.

In case nobody contacts the authority responsible, the vehicle gets towed away and it’s disposed of: it either gets scrapped or goes to an abandoned auto auction. The only case in which an abandoned car cannot be seized is when it was previously reported stolen.

On some occasions, particularly when the vehicle’s value is not enough to cover the expenses related to towing, storing, and scrapping it, the previous owner is forced to pay for these services. Most owners don’t take action after they are notified and local authorities and law enforcement officers seize their vehicles.

Browsing abandoned cars for sale and bidding on them is exactly the same as with salvage cars. In fact, most states accept abandoned cars as salvage. This means that the process of buying such vehicles is not that different. There are, however, some things you should consider.

What to Look Out for When Bidding at an Abandoned Car Market

If an abandoned car makes it to an abandoned car market, this most likely means that it is worth more than the usual scrap value. This, however, does not guarantee you a good deal. You need to be careful and take one step at a time.

First, you need to be aware of the type of title the vehicle has and whether it has registration at all. You need to be sure that the state you are currently in would allow for the ownership of the abandoned car to be transferred to you. The process is different in most of the U.S. and the rest of the countries around the world. You are always better off contacting the local DMV with the specific details of the vehicle you are interested in.

Once you are certain that the legal process of obtaining ownership is applicable in your case, you must have all the details about the abandoned cars for sale and their condition. Some abandoned cars are too far gone to be repaired. They can also hide numerous health and safety issues, especially if they have been sitting for a long time. The best-case scenario is to track the vehicle’s damage and insurance history, as well as the exact number of its previous owners.

If the car you want to buy from an abandoned car market has a salvage title, keep in mind that it needs to be repaired before it passes a state inspection. You can only opt for a “rebuilt salvage” title after that.

The Verdict – Are Abandoned Cars for Sale Worth It

You are very likely to strike a great deal at an abandoned car auction, but you must be fully aware of the local legislation and procedures related to change of ownership and retitling abandoned cars.

Once you know what you are getting yourself into, you only need to wait for the perfect offer and make your bid.

Don’t want to miss the best abandoned cars for sale? Sign up at our Online Car Auction – bidexport.com – where we share valuable information in relation to abandoned cars for sale and salvage auto auctions.

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The post How to Find and Buy Abandoned Cars for Sale first appeared on BID EXPORT.

If you’re searching for repairable salvage cars for sale, you’ll be glad to know you are exactly where you want to be. Apart from offering the best deals on salvage vehicles, we always strive to provide our clients with valuable information on how to find the best salvage cars for sale and what to look out for before placing a bid or making a purchase.  

How to Choose from the Endless Supply of Repairable Salvage Cars for Sale

There are things you need to understand before diving into the ocean of salvage auto auctions. First of all, a salvage title does not necessarily mean that a particular vehicle has been severely damaged. Many salvage cars have little to no damage at all. These are mainly theft-recovered vehicles.

Sometimes, insurance companies write off cars with minor damage. This happens when the repairs needed cost half or more of what that said vehicle is worth in its pre-accident condition. As a result, cars in need of some paint and polish end up as salvage title vehicles.

Buying a Salvage Car for Yourself

If you’re in this with the idea of buying a car for a fraction of its market price, and using it as your daily driver, then you should follow a certain strategy.

You need to aim for vehicles that require the minimum amount of work possible. This would give you the chance to repair the vehicle yourself, which would save you most of the extra costs salvage vehicles usually require.

Apart from setting a budget and sticking with it, you also need to make some additional calculations. The repairable salvage cars for sale found at auto actions are 30% or 40% cheaper compared to the used vehicle market. Sometimes – even more.

This, of course, does not guarantee a profit. You need to assess the damage of a particular salvage car before placing your bid. Needless to say, such a process is almost impossible, given the fact that you are not allowed to thoroughly inspect the car even if you are physically present at the auto auction.

Since the majority of bidders and buyers are online, their only hope is for the description and pictures to match the real condition of the vehicle. This is where we come in: our inventory has been selected and you can expect zero bad surprises.

Buying a Salvage Car and Making a Profit from It

In case you are interested in buying repairable salvage cars to resell them afterward, then many of the above-mentioned tips apply here as well. There is, however, additional pieces of advice we need to give you.

Repair costs are key in this equation. If you manage to purchase a vehicle with minor damage for, let’s say, 50% of its value in good running condition, then you can score big time! Repairing it and passing the state DMV inspection to retitle the vehicle as “rebuilt” is what you need to do.

Keep in mind that you will never be able to delete the vehicle’s history. Its report will always reveal previous damage. You will never be able to retitle it with a “clean” title, either. This would ultimately affect your selling price, but you should not worry about it too much.

If you have played your cards right, you will always make a profit and find a buyer who wants to pay less than the regular price for a vehicle in full working order.

What to Look Out for When Browsing Repairable Salvage Cars for Sale

There are some things you should do before leaping into action.

First, make sure you are aware of the vehicle’s full service and accident history. The documentation will give you valuable information about your purchase and possibly answer some questions you might have in advance.

Second, try to find someone to consult before bidding. Even if you don’t have the chance to inspect the vehicle personally, an experienced mechanic might notice something wrong with the vehicle by looking at a few pictures. This would save you from purchasing the wrong salvage car.

Some people buy heavily damaged cars for low prices and spruce them up to make them look good. The vehicles then go to an auction for a significantly higher price and some unsuspecting buyer becomes the victim. This is what you get from trusting a random auctioneer.

Here is another tip: always be aware of the type of salvage before placing a bid. Not all salvage cars are worth repairing, as there’s more than meets the eye sometimes.

If the vehicle you are interested in has been flooded, for example, it might look as good as new. Despite that, the repair costs of such a vehicle could turn out to be unreasonably high. Flooded vehicles often hide far more damage than expected. Given this fact, you should walk away from them even if you think it would be a good deal.

The Verdict – Are Repairable Salvage Cars for Sale Worth It

Salvage auto auctions can bring a hefty profit your way, but you need to choose wisely and bid only after you’ve done the math, instead of being emotional about it. Here are the steps to follow:

• Set a budget;
• Trust a proven auto auction;
• Check the full history of the vehicle;
• Try to assess its exact mechanical state;
• Make sure it is repairable;
• Calculate the costs of all the repairs it would need;
• Be aware of the vehicle’s current value on the used auto market;
• Add the costs of transportation and insurance to the vehicle’s final price;
• Be patient and hope for the best.

So, there you have it! Even if you have absolutely no experience with repairable salvage cars for sale, you are likely to strike a good deal if you stick with these steps.

We hope you land some great deals! Get started today by registering on our website – bidexport.com – where you can browse through 150,000+ cars.

Sign up here to get your dream car

The post Everything You Need to Know About Repairable Salvage Cars for Sale first appeared on BID EXPORT.

Wondering what to do if you’re not entirely sure what you’re getting yourself into? All you need is great tips for finding the best crashed cars for sale. Well, this article will give you more than a few pieces of advice on that matter.

Who Sells Salvage Vehicles

Apart from some car dealers, the biggest variety of salvage cars for sale can be found at salvage auto auctions, such as our website – BidExport.

This automotive sector has been booming. That’s because insurance companies write off more vehicles each year, mainly due to high repair costs. The process results in millions of salvage vehicles waiting to be bought. Good deals are waiting at these auctions for those who are willing to risk it and put in the work afterward.

Talking about risk, there are several things to have in mind when browsing for crashed cars for sale and bidding on some of them later.

What to Consider When Searching for the Best Salvage Vehicles Out There

There are many key points to consider if you are determined to strike a great deal on a salvage vehicle. The most important ones are listed below:

#1 Trust a Reliable Auction

Choosing a trusted auto auction with an immaculate reputation is crucial. Except for the probable good deal with no hidden secrets, you will have a wider variety of cars to choose from, too. Buying a crashed car from a dealer might turn into a nightmare, so check their background and any feedback if possible.

#2 Check the Market Value of the Vehicle You Are Interested In

In most cases, salvage vehicles are significantly cheaper than equal ones in perfect condition. The difference in their value in pre-accident or pre-theft condition is key, as it will determine your profit.

If you are looking to buy a salvage vehicle for yourself, this tip is equally important. Otherwise, you might end up with a crashed car at the price of a running one.

#3 Find Support from A Mechanic

Even if the particular salvage car you are interested in looks relatively good on the outside, nobody can tell what it’s like under the hood. You can buy the vehicle in the condition you see it, with no option for a test drive of a thorough inspection.

A mechanic might notice things that you didn’t, and you will know when to walk away and when to bid.

#4 Calculate the Repair Costs

Let’s assume that you are sure about what the actual damage of the vehicle is.

In this case, you need to make all the calculations about the upcoming repairs it would need to be road-legal again.

It doesn’t matter if you intend to sell it when repaired or keep it. You still need to know if placing that bid makes sense in the first place.

#5 Make Sure You Know What You Want, and Go After It

If you decide you need a certain crashed vehicle for its parts, for example, then buy exactly that. Set a budget and stick to it. Deciding to repair it and to get it back on the road would ultimately change the initial reason why you need to make that deal.

Salvage vehicles insurance is not exactly cheap, not to mention that not all insurers would agree to insure such a car in the first place. If you are after a crashed car to repair and sell on, keep in mind it needs to pass your local state’s DMV inspection. It gets retitled as “rebuilt salvage” after that. Needless to say, even a perfectly good vehicle in full order but with a rebuilt title is always cheaper than an identical one with a rebuilt title.

#6 Always Choose the Vehicle That Needs the Least Repairs

If you have the option to choose from a few different salvage cars of the same make and model, always choose the one that needs the smallest amount of work. Even if the price is slightly higher, you will end up with a better deal after calculating the repair costs.

If you have the chance to buy a vehicle that you could restore yourself, it’s best-case scenario, no doubt about it.

#7 Be Patient, and You Will Be Rewarded

Always try to wait for the perfect salvage car. Keep in mind that not all salvage vehicles for sale have been involved in some kind of accident or a flood, for example.

You could be lucky enough to come across a vehicle that has been previously stolen, with no damage whatsoever. A theft recovery vehicle would cost a lot less than its real market value simply because it was deemed a total loss by an insurer.

#8 Make Sure You Know All the Details

What would really help you to strike a great deal on a salvage car for sale is knowing everything about it in advance. If you know that it was flooded, for example, then you should definitely expect the unexpected.

Even if it looks brand new, you have no chance of knowing its mechanical state, not to mention the sometimes-devastating damage to electrical components. As suggested earlier, you need to assess the situation, and see if it is worth the risk.

#9 Calculate All the Additional Costs

We already mentioned the expensive insurance costs related to every salvage title vehicle. Repairing the damage will not wipe off the car’s history, and it will always be there. This means that its market price will be lower, and its insurance will always be higher.

There are, however, additional costs, such as auction fees, transportation, etc. Make sure you calculate those as well.

#10 Don’t Be Emotional About the Auction

Even if you happen to see the car of your dreams at an auction site, be careful and don’t place that bid too soon.

You don’t want to end up disappointed and frustrated when it turns out it is a total wreck that’s not worth saving at all. Do the math and if it all looks okay, then go with the flow and bid on it.

The Bottom Line

Well, there you have it: buying salvage cars requires some thought, calculation, and patience above all.

There are plenty of good cars out there, and you have a huge chance of either bringing home a bargain to enjoy or making a hefty profit after selling it to another. The choice is yours.

To facilitate your choice, we’d like to invite you to sign up at our website – BidExport – where 150,000+ salvage vehicles await you.

USE THIS LINK TO REGISTER AND GET YOUR DREAM CAR TODAY

The post 10 Tips for Finding the Best Crashed Cars for Sale first appeared on BID EXPORT.