Cars for sale at government vehicle auctions allow you to find excellent car deals as government cars often sell for lower than regular market prices.
When it comes to buying cheap used cars, pre-owned dealerships are not the only options out there. In fact, one of the best ways to get your hands on value for money vehicles is to look for cars selling on auction. Even car dealers visit government car auctions to find cars to sell at their own dealerships for a profit.
Where do cars for sale at government vehicle auctions come from?
The government’s budget allows for the replacement of out-dated vehicles at regular intervals. The old vehicles are therefore sold on auction so that the government can reclaim some of the cars’ value. The government can also come into possession of vehicles that have been seized by people who have defaulted on traffic fine payments. Rather than storing and maintaining these acquired vehicles (which costs the government money), it makes more sense for the government to sell these cars on auction; and because they would like to get rid of them as soon as possible, they often sell for prices lower than at a dealership and significantly less than their trade-in values.
If you get lucky, you can find cars that are almost brand new at government car auction. Otherwise, cars are not usually more than 2 or 3 years old. On the other hand, it’s important to do your research to check out the car you are interested in beforehand so you have an idea of what kind of condition it’s in. If you don’t know much about cars yourself, bring along a mechanic or someone who will be able to tell you about any flaws in the vehicle. You should also compare the asking price to similar vehicles sold through regular dealerships to help you decide whether or not you are getting a good price for it.
Redundant vehicles no longer used by the government are auctioned off by the ClareMart Auction Group. The Department of Transport and Public Works’ Government Motor Transport (GMT) division awarded the company a 3-year contract to sell government vehicles on auction. ClareMart Auction group has been in the vehicle auction business for over 30 years, including conducting vehicle repossession auctions for liquidators and corporate clients such as ABSA Bank.
Auctions take place at local Government Warehouse Garages in major centres across the country. As part of the auction terms, a R5000 bank guaranteed cheque (refundable) to register as a bidder. After the auction you can pay for your purchase with a bank-guaranteed cheque, with no cash accepted.
To locate government auctions taking place in your area, simply check the classifieds section of your local newspaper or conduct an online search. You can also contact auction houses, such as ClareMart, directly and ask when they will be hosting vehicle auctions. Once you know when an auction will be held, it’s important to find out about the cars that are being auctioned. Once you have this list, you can see if you are interested in any of the vehicles and conduct the relevant research. When it comes to any car auctions, information and experience is key to making sure that you are getting a good deal and that you are not wasting your money. It is advisable to visit at least one auction before you intend in bidding so that you can feel comfortable in the auction environment.
What kinds of vehicles are sold at government auctions?
Because there are so many government departments tasked with different responsibilities, there are a number of different vehicles used by the government, including:
- Sedans
- Hatchbacks
- 14 seaters
- 16 seaters
- Bakkies
- Double cabs
- Specialist vehicles such as ambulances
- Minivans
- Utility vehicles
When it comes to buying a used car, don’t limit your options to those at car dealerships; rather explore the option of government cars sold at auction as a way of finding great car deals.