Buying at an auction gives you a lot of choices because there will be all types and models of cars available for auction sale. And once the auctioneer declares that you are the highest bidder on the fall of the hammer, you will definitely be the legal owner of the car provided documentation are completed and all payments are paid in full.

In order to attend an auction sale you are required to register as a bidder or you may pre-register as a bidder. While it is not absolutely necessary to pre-register, we strongly recommend that you do, as it will only facilitate the bidding process and enhance your auction experience. We wish to advise that all potential bidders to read and understand all the terms and conditions of sale since all cars are sold 'as is where is' basis, without warranties or guarantees of any type, you are obliged to thoroughly research and inspect any car before purchased. Under the auction law, you become the legal owner of the car when the auctioneer says sold.

Selling a car at an auction is a very straight forward procedure. It basically involves you presenting your car at the auction with its documentation and filing in one form. Selling by this method has the advantage of quick, convenience, safe, everything is done for you and you will almost certainly received more for your car that you would get from a dealer.

You can avoid the hassles you would get by selling your car privately. The repeated and expensive advertising costs and joyriders 'test driving' your car when they haven't any intention to buy. Also the dreaded bouncing cheque and the eternal complainer, the type of persons who will return the car after a week, demanding their money back over some insignificant fault.

At an auction, your car will be the focus of intention for perhaps hundreds of potential buyers. It's a very rare event when a car doesn't entice someone to open bidding.

Who can buy at an auction?
Anyone, 18 and above, auto dealers and the general public are welcome to bid on any car offered at an auction sale.

What do I need to bid on a vehicle?
You are required to register yourself at our registration counter with valid identification and to deposit a bank draft of RM1,000.00 payable to AUTO AUCTION (M) SDN BHD. Thereafter you will be given a bidder card number. Your deposit will go toward the sale price of the car you buy or can be refunded to you any time during the auction sale by returning your bid card to the main office. No bids will be taken from unregistered bidder.

Can I inspect the vehicles before the sale?
All cars will be marked on the windshield with the manufacture and registered year, make, model and lot number. We prefer that you view and inspect all the cars that are for sale at the auction before the auction date as pre-viewing dates are available. In your program, mark the cars that you interested in and keep an eye during the auction to make sure you don't miss the car.

Are there warranties?
All cars are sold 'as is where is' basis unless otherwise instructed by the seller.

What price do I pay?
It is essential for you to know the estimated market value of the cars therefore we would advise you to read through the Local Newspaper for some indication on the used car prices or check with a friend who is familiar with used car prices. We can also provide you with our professional indoor appraisal service.

How am I assured of the purchase?
In an auction, the highest bidder declared by the auctioneer upon the fall of the hammer shall be successful bidder or purchaser and the owner shall not retract the sale. As for the other traditional sale such as tender, the owner can still decide whether to sell or not.

How do I register as a seller?
You will have to fill in the entry form. This document will be used as the basis for the auctioneer's description of your car. You are required to furnish the auctioneer the particulars of your car as described in the registration card and the amount owing to the financier, if any. The auctioneer will want to know the minimum amount you are willing to accept for the car, thus the "RESERVE PRICE". And the auctioneer will not sell below this price without your consent. If you are unsure of the value of
your car, our professional appraiser shall conduct a check on your car and advised you on the condition of your car and the market value.

What fees are involved in selling a car at an auction?
A sum of RM120.00 being the entry fee shall be charged to reserve a lot number for your car, this will also include the advertisement charges, appraisal fees, search fees with JPJ on the authenticity of the registration card and the preparation of the Contract of Sale. A premium of 2% of the sale price will be charged upon successful auction sale. In the event that your car is not sold, the entry fee shall be forfeited.

Who can sell at an auction?
Anyone can sell at an auction provided that there is proof of car ownership
and all condition set are complied with.

When will I be paid for my car?
Usually within 14 days from the date of auction sale, provided always that the amount owing to your financier is settled and transfer of ownership to the successful bidder is accepted by the relevant authorities. Under no circumstances will a seller be paid before the buyer has paid for the car.

How can I make sure that my car is transferred to the new purchaser in order to avoid any complications later?
We have the responsibility to ensure that your car is duly registered and thereafter transferred and proof of transfer shall be forwarded to you.

What is a motor auction?
To put it simply, a motor auction acts as an agency between someone who wants to sell a car, and someone who wishes to buy it.

Auto auction in Malaysia is fairly new and is currently practiced by govermental departments, namely the Customs department in disposing of confiscated vehicles.

In the United Kingdom, it has been estimated that around 80% of all cars sold new in this country will pass through an auction at some time in their first four years on the road. A large proportion of the cars that go through auction each year come direct from the major companies that use huge fleets of vehicles to keep their employees on the roads. Leasing and rental companies make a significant contribution, as well as the vehicle manufacturers themselves.

What are motor auctions like?
The atmosphere at individual auctions can vary, from calm corporate efficiency to the buzz of a wild-west frontier trading post. We at Auto Auction intend to create a professional automobile auction center, where both buyer and seller get a fair value on their vehicle. Market demand will determine the value without intervention of any third party or middleman.

The Cars...
Anything and everything can and does turn up at auction. Cars only a few months old, which come direct from the manufacturer, still under warranty and with as little as a few hundred miles on the clock, can be found. Fifteen or twenty year old 'collectors' cars in near pristine condition still turn up at regular weekly sales.

The price you pay...
You can always expect to see most of the more popular makes and models at every auction, but you can also be sure that all manner of interesting exotica will also make regular appearances. At the top of the auction range you’ll pay trade prices for practically brand-new cars and save yourself an awful lot of money.
At the bargain basement, with a bit of care, it is still possible to safely buy a perfectly serviceable vehicle for less than RM5,000, sometimes a lot less. Generally speaking, the larger the auction the wider the choice and the later the average year of the vehicles on offer.

Where does the cars come from?
Many of the vehicles will be ‘ex-fleet’ from major companies. Taking these as an example, they will normally be only a few years old and will typically have covered between 30-40,000 km per year. By no means will all have done so, and a surprisingly high proportion will have clocked up moderate mileages.

You’ll find a lot of ‘main-dealer part exchange’ vehicles on offer. These will be cars taken in part exchange against a new or newer car, where the dealer cannot re-offer them for sale. Perhaps they’re too old, or more likely they’re the wrong make. A Volvo franchise is unlikely to put a five-year-old Fiat on its forecourt, no matter how good it is.

Repossessed vehicles from financed companies, whose customers failed to meet monthly repayments is expected to make up a major portion of the vehicles for auction. These vehicles are expected to be offered at very attractive prices.

AUCTION - Bad Reputation!
Many people would have you believe that car auctions are arenas of spivvish wheeler dealing offering nothing but clapped out old jalopies. This is nonsense, based on nothing but ignorance of the facts. More often than not, the people who offer these opinions have never been to an auction themselves.

Professional and helpful staff efficiently runs the vast majority of car auctions in this country. They offer an unparalleled selection of vehicles of all types.

The procedures for buying and selling cars at auction are quite straightforward, once you take a little time to become acquainted with them. At auction you certainly have more legal protection than if you were to buy or sell your car privately. Every auction must charge you a fee to indemnify you against your purchase being stolen, having finance outstanding on it or being an undeclared insurance write-off. Many of the cars sold will be offered with a trial. At some auctions it is even possible to purchase extended warranties.

What's the catch?
To most people, the motor car is a complete mystery. They may be completely dependent on their car, but as long as it starts, stops and goes in between, they’re happy.

The majority of car dealers provide a genuine service to the public by helping them to provide the type and price of car to suit their needs. They take away decisions that most do not wish to make. For this service, people pay a hefty price.

‘THE CATCH’ with car auctions is not that all the cars there are worn-out rubbish, it’s not that they’re unpleasant places to attend nor is it that buying at auction is a difficult process. ‘The Catch’ is that any decisions which have to be made are entirely up to YOU.

There are plenty of things that you can do to minimise any risks there might be and, hopefully, these pages will help ensure you make the right decisions.

Warning!
If your curiosity cannot be contained. If you do go to a car auction. If you do take all the care and precautions we advise. If you do successfully bid your way to your first auction-bought vehicle, it can become an addition. Who knows what shape or size your next fix could take.