How to inspect an auction car
Auction sales are final. A one-hour inspection on viewing day is what stands between you and an expensive mistake.
Why inspection matters more at auction
Auction vehicles are sold 'as is, where is'. There is no warranty, no return window and usually no test drive. Everything you will ever know about the car's condition, you learn on viewing day — so go prepared, and go with help if you are not mechanically confident.
Documents before metal
Start with the paperwork, because no mechanical bargain survives a bad logbook. Confirm the chassis and engine numbers on the car match the records, and run an NTSA search on the registration to see the registered owner and any other interests in the vehicle.
- Match chassis and engine numbers to the logbook or auction listing
- Run an NTSA/TIMS search on the registration number
- Ask who holds the logbook and how transfer will be executed
- Check for outstanding county parking or traffic penalties where possible
The physical walk-around
Repossessed cars have often sat in a yard for months. Expect flat batteries and stale fuel — those are cheap fixes. What you are hunting for is expensive damage: accident repairs, engine and gearbox condition, and rust.
- Panel gaps and paint texture — uneven gaps or orange-peel paint suggest accident repair
- Engine oil and coolant — milky oil or oil in the coolant points to head gasket trouble
- Underneath — leaks, rust on the chassis rails, worn bushes
- Tyres — uneven wear hints at suspension or alignment damage
- Interior electronics — dashboard warning lights, windows, AC
Price the repairs into your bid
List every defect you find and cost it honestly — a mechanic accompanying you can price repairs on the spot. Your maximum bid should be the realistic market value of the car, minus repair costs, minus a margin that makes the risk worthwhile. Write that number down before the auction and do not cross it in the heat of bidding.
Bring a professional
A trusted mechanic costs a small fee for the morning; a hidden gearbox failure costs hundreds of thousands of shillings. Budget for one, and walk away from any unit you cannot inspect properly.