Are you looking for a fun and different way to find your next car? Whether you’re searching for a classic car for summertime touring, or a new commuter car at a bargain price, you should check out the world of car auctions! Whether you bid online or participate in a live event, car auctions are a good way to find one-of-a-kind vehicles and get a good deal as well!
Photo by Clem Onojeghuo from Pexels
Best Calgary Car Auctions
Regal Auctions holds a minimum of 100 car auctions a year, so you will see a quick turnover in inventory. You can bid in person or online, and if you are unhappy with your purchase you can return it within 100 days and they will resell it for you for free. Whether you’re looking for a used fleet vehicle or a car from a private seller, Regal Auctions will have what you are looking for.
Copart has locations across North America, and Calgary is no exception, with auctions almost every Tuesday. You can drop by their Calgary location to view vehicles that you’re considering buying, and then bid online when the auction opens. Much of their inventory is salvaged cars with no warranty, so if you can’t check out vehicles yourself, it’s probably worth paying a mechanic to go out and inspect them for you.
ADESA Calgary sells used fleet and off-lease vehicles for many major companies, with auctions in Calgary every Wednesday. You can inspect vehicles before the auction begins, and they provide detailed condition reports online to further help you make decisions about which cars to bid on.
Photo by niekverlaan from Pixabay
Calgary Classic Car Auctions
For enthusiasts with a penchant for the classics, the Okotoks Collector Car Auction hosts dedicated classic car auctions that transport attendees to a bygone era. These auctions showcase a curated collection of vintage automobiles, each with its own unique story and charm, and have become a pilgrimage for collectors seeking to add a touch of nostalgia to their garages.
Located just south of Calgary, they’ve been selling classic cars at auction for more than 50 years, and have an excellent reputation for featuring quality classic cars. While all vehicles can be viewed onsite, the bidding is entirely online. That way, you get the reassurance of inspecting vehicles in person, while still having the convenience of bidding from the comfort of your own home. 
Photo by Jose Mueses from Pexels
Calgary Car Auctions: Unveiling Opportunities and Tips for a Successful Bid
If you’re in Alberta, you have a great advantage over the rest of the country, as you don’t need to be a licensed broker to bid on most cars offered at auctions in the province! However, that does put more of the onus on you to find out how to play the auction game successfully. Let’s look at the best ways to make that winning bid and drive away in the perfect new-to-you car!
Once you’ve decided that you’d like to try your hand at finding your next car at an auction, you need to do your homework! Don’t just turn up at the next advertised sale and start bidding. That’s a great way to spend too much money and end up with an expensive mistake on your hands. No matter how you choose to buy a car, research should always be your first step!
Scrolling through online auction listings, as well as dealership and private sellers’ ads, is the best way to get started on your car buying journey. You’ll be able to get a sense of what the used car market is like in your region, and start to figure out how much you’ll be willing to bid up to at an auction. Also, drop by some used car lots in the region to see what’s on offer. Remember, a lot of those cars that you see there will have been purchased at an auction, so going straight to the source of the inventory can be a real money-saver!
If you won’t be able to pay cash for a vehicle, you need to have your financing lined up ahead of time. Most auction companies will demand at least 10% of the full price immediately after bidding closes, and the balance must usually be paid within a day or two. Don’t wait until after your bid has been accepted to figure out how you’re going to pay for it!
Observe a few auctions in person, as well as monitoring online auctions, so that you can see how things operate in what can be a very charged environment. It can be easy to get carried away with bidding in the heat of the moment, so acclimatizing yourself before actually participating can help keep you grounded.
Between checking out the prices in the used car market, and determining how much you can afford to pay, set a hard upper limit for your bids. There’s no point in paying more for a car at auction than you would at a dealership, especially if there's no guarantee provided at the auction.
Want to Sell Your Car at Auction in Calgary? Check out Autozen!
We’ve already run down some of the best ways to buy a car at auction in Calgary. But what if you have a car that you’d like to sell? Autozen has got you covered! We run online auctions for dealers from across Canada, and are always looking for quality used cars to add to our listings. Sign up with us, and an Autozen expert will inspect your car and take all the photos required for our platform. Within a few days our select group of dealers will be bidding on your car, and once you’ve accepted the highest bid, we’ll come and pick up your car and pay you in full right then. It’s the hassle-free way to get the best price for your used car!
Photo source from Pixabay
