A quick-reference checklist for buying at dealer auctions, physical or digital. For the full breakdown -- tool recommendations with real prices, condition report red flags, and arbitration terminology traps -- see our complete Auction Day Checklist guide.
Before You Go
- ☐ Pull comps: benchmark against MMR (or your preferred index) and average three similar-mileage local units yourself
- ☐ Set your all-in max bid, per vehicle, in writing: hammer price + buyer fee + PSI/inspection cost + transport + recon = your ceiling
- ☐ Check your target vehicle's average turn date (under 30 days = confident buy; 60+ = price in resistance)
- ☐ Confirm funding is ready (floorplan approval or certified funds) and your resale certificate/dealer credentials are current
- ☐ Pack your kit: OBD-II reader, paint meter, magnet, tire tread gauge, flashlight
- ☐ Have your appraisal software pulled up and ready
At a Physical Auction
- ☐ Use preview time -- walk the car with your tools, not just your eyes
- ☐ Check paint originality and look for filler with your paint meter and magnet
- ☐ Physically inspect under the hood and the frame with a flashlight
- ☐ Pull codes with your reader before bidding
- ☐ Treat the condition report as a supplement to your own inspection, not a replacement for it
- ☐ Stick to your written max bid -- no exceptions
At a Digital Auction
- ☐ Review every photo, especially undercarriage/virtual lift shots
- ☐ Check fluid photos for grit, cloudiness, or missing fluid
- ☐ Listen to any provided audio across RPM stages for ticking or valve-timing issues
- ☐ Confirm you understand the platform's exact condition-report terminology, buyer fees, arbitration policy, and light/status system before bidding
- ☐ Pull a registration history check alongside your CARFAX/AutoCheck for California vehicles
After You Win
- ☐ Arrange transport
- ☐ Secure title/paperwork copy
- ☐ Log the vehicle into your deal jacket the same day
- ☐ Schedule your mechanic's safety inspection appointment before the car even arrives at your lot
California Dealer Academy provides educational content for California auto dealers and does not offer legal, tax, or financial advice. DMV requirements, retention rules, and deadlines are subject to change -- always confirm current requirements directly with DMV Occupational Licensing, and consult a qualified attorney or CPA for guidance specific to your dealership.
