Comments on: Looking to save big on a used car? Try a car auction – but buyer beware

By: AuctionWary

AuctionWary — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:48:29 +0000

I wouldn’t recommend a car auction for the newbie. I’ve been there and done that… and got burned in the process. You’ll be competing against taxi companies for the Crown Vics, and a gazillion slimey curbers who will go after the import products like the Civic so they can resell them on Kijiji.

Exactly like others have said. You won’t really know what’s wrong with the vehicle until the first time you get to put it in drive actually road test it. Expect a minimum repair bill of $2000 or so. There’s a reason these cars are at the auction and it ain’t because they’re pristine granma-driven creampuffs.

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:24:48 +0000

Are you sure about the sales tax being based on the auction price? OMVIC or not, if you obtain a car far below it’s book value the MTO can always try to hit you up for the balance when registering the vehicle. It’s not like they’ve never seen “fake” receipts not showing the true transaction price.

By: pete

pete — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:53:25 +0000

This article isn’t very well researched. A police cruiser doesn’t fetch the resale values stated because of its (ab)use and it can bear costly repairs since they are driven hard and sometimes offroad. It is indeed buyer beware but you can score the odd lucky buy but you can also score a real bad clunker. If you don’t know what you are looking for, an auction is not for you and even if you do know, you might still face a surprise.

By: Torontoworker

Torontoworker — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:10:23 +0000

There are many reasons why these cars end up here at this auction and most of them not a good reason that you will benefit from. Know this going in: you cannot do any inspection that will reveal expensive issues. You can bring a hundred mechanics with you – big deal – they will not be allowed to touch the car in a meaningful way – no tools can be brought out. Many of these cars have had issues passing the Ontario Clean Air tests. You won’t be allowed to plug in to the OB2 port (if it’s a post 2000 car) to read the codes stored there, (if the battery hasn’t been disconnected to clear them on you and turn out the check engine light I might add). Valve jobs are expensive. Catalytic convertors if needed – are expensive. Worn ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rods, rad’s at the end of their lives, are, well you get it. Your best case is a pre 1988 car with low mileage at a very low price. Worst case is a mid 90′s car, say a Chevy Impala that has had very little maintenance. The wheel bearings with their ABS components alone will set you back on your heals when the mechanic tells you what the retail price is on this part alone. You’ll spend a minimum of $2000 just on lifed out parts that should have been replaced long ago just to pass safety and that’s without major issues with the engine or transmission. A transmission repair/rebuild on the Ford Taurus that ‘looks good’… $3500 rebuilt and installed. No one trades in a ‘good’ car. They get rid of problems. If it were a good car they would be selling it privately at a higher price themselves. These are dealer trade in’s – the dealers take the trade to make the new car sale and call the flat bed to get rid of the headache. These cars are the lowest of the low – cars that cannot pass the dealers 100 point checks in order to remain on their own used car lots. Buyer beware doesn’t even do justice here. If you can’t get it for $1000 and under – forget it.

By: Gabe Pinto

Gabe Pinto — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:42:43 +0000

It seems Mr. Lai is an expert on all facets of Auto Sales. Why is he a reporter while he can make a considerable more amount of money selling cars?

I find it very amusing how he feels he is an expert, espcially with this recent article.

The Star…perhaps someone should give Mr. Lai an education of what we, AUTO PROFFESIONALS, go through.

By: formathe@gmail.com

formathe@gmail.com — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:22:44 +0000

What you’re not seeing here is the info like,, bring lots of cash. It doesn’t say you can use a check or credit card. You must bring a tow truck or trailer to remove the car you buy. It also doesn’t mention the tow cost from Breslau to, let’s say, Brampton. BIG bucks. Poorly written article with next to no REAL information.