While it may seem weird, there’s nothing wrong with buying repossessed cars. It doesn’t mean anything bad when you do so, nor does it reflect negatively on you as a person. For what it’s worth, repossessed cars have more negative effects on their previous owners than they do on the buyers. These people probably failed to pay their auto loans, so the bank decided to take back their cars without warning or after asking permission from a court.
However, purchasing repossessed cars is not something you should be ashamed of. It can actually be a practical move on your part. Despite a few disadvantages, purchasing repossessed cars actually has many advantages. With the skyrocketing prices of cars nowadays, buying repossessed cars can be a sound alternative to buying brand-new ones.
Armed with rigorous research and accurate information, you can definitely hit the jackpot and land the best deals when buying repossessed cars. Let us help you in your journey to finding the best repossessed car to purchase with these seven facts that you need to know about the process.
Repossessed cars can be bought at surprisingly low prices.
This is the main reason why car buyers opt for repossessed cars. Everything from basic to premium packages are priced lower than their original prices. This is mainly because the car’s value has depreciated over time. Just to clarify, though, the value of the car has depreciated but not necessarily the car itself. Despite the lower price, a repossessed car may still be in great shape.
While it is understandable to doubt the quality of a repossessed car, it’s important to know that repossessed cars are usually lightly used cars. Even though it is only natural to think that cheaper products have lower quality compared to more expensive ones, this is not always the case. You can still strike a great deal if you know where to look and if you have luck on your side.
A repossessed car is really hard to pass up on because the price can sometimes be 20%-40% less than that of a brand-new car, and those figures are hard to come by when purchasing any type of vehicle.
You might get yourself an almost-brand-new used car for a low price.
Cars can be repossessed for a variety of reasons and from a variety of people. If you get lucky, you could end up finding a high-end car for a significantly lower price.
Banks do not really sell repossessed cars to gain profit. They just want to get rid of these cars as soon as possible. When nobody bids for them, they lower the price of these cars to attract potential buyers. Therefore, if you see a repossessed luxury car that is to your liking, research how much it costs in the current market and compare it to the bank’s offer. When the bank’s offer is too steep, you can wait for it to lower significantly and then make the purchase.
Do not forget to compare prices offered by different banks for the same make and model. It pays to do your homework and gather as much data as you can before making a major purchase. If you do, you just might get yourself a like-new car for a low price.
There are easy financing options for repossessed cars.
Buying a repossessed car is much easier than buying a brand-new one. One difference is that there is less paperwork to deal with when buying repossessed cars. Banks just want to dispose of repossessed cars as soon as possible, so they do not let the process drag on for too long.
If there is something similar between purchasing a repossessed car and a brand-new one, it is that banks offer two payment options. Just like when buying brand new cars, you can purchase repossessed cars in cash or via an auto loan. The great thing about buying a repossessed car in full cash is that you will not have to pay interest over time. You can enjoy driving your newly purchased ride without worrying about anything else than having it registered and insured. With an auto loan, you will not be burdened by spending so much in one go. You will just have to worry about paying the monthly installments.
Regardless of the payment scheme you and your bank agree on, you will still have fewer things to think about when buying a repossessed car compared to when buying a brand-new one.
It is not that easy to strike a great deal when hunting for a repossessed car.
We mentioned that it’s possible for you to encounter an almost-brand-new used car at a low price when hunting for repossessed cars, but this does not happen without hard work and patience. If you do not possess these character traits, then it may be better to just buy a brand-new car.
Although the process of paying for a repossessed car is easy, the process of getting a bank to let you buy it can be excruciating. Before you get approved to buy a repossessed car, you will have to submit numerous bids to various banks. Numerous is an understatement, because you will most likely get rejected multiple times before getting approved, especially when your offer is below the floor price set by the bank for a repossessed car. However, if you are diligent enough to submit bid after bid and patient enough to wait for the floor price to decrease, you will eventually reap what you sow. Unless someone’s bid gets approved first, you will definitely have a good fighting chance if you see things through to the end.
You can never be sure about the condition of a repossessed car.
When buying a repossessed car, the quality will always be hit or miss. Surely, the previous owner of a repossessed car can declare that it is in good condition and that everything is working properly, but they can lie about it. After all, banks do not really have repossessed cars checked. They will still order a repossession if the vehicle is in bad condition. They only care about taking the car away from its owner as a consequence of not paying their auto loan.
Most likely, a repossessed car has not been taken to a mechanic for a tuneup because its owner failed to pay the bank. If you think about it, the owner cannot even pay a loan, so it is unlikely they spent a lot of money on the car’s maintenance. If there are issues, you will have to deal with the repairs using your own money.
Keep in mind that banks will not be liable for the damages of a repossessed car. Once you buy a repossessed car, it becomes your responsibility. You cannot sue the bank for selling you a malfunctioning repossessed car.
When buying repossessed cars, you are sure that the sellers are safe and trustworthy.
Buying a repossessed car from banks assures you that every transaction is legal and secure. Unlike buying used cars from random strangers, you will not be a victim of fraud when buying a repossessed car. Banks will not run away with your money or sell you a stolen car. Everything from the bidding process to the moment you drive your newly purchased repossessed car is an authentic experience.
Buying repossessed cars from banks offers peace of mind. You will not lose sleep at night wondering if the vehicle you bought is actually stolen. If you are short on cash and in need of a decent ride, then we advise you to purchase a repossessed car from banks instead of a used car from people you just met online.
Nothing beats standard procedure and legal transactions when it comes to making major purchases, so consider your options before deciding where to buy your car. Stay informed and vigilant at all times.
There are a lot of newer repossessed cars that are in good condition.
Although it is a possibility that previous owners of repossessed cars do not have the ability to pay for their auto loans, much less their car’s maintenance, it is not true that all repossessed cars are in bad condition. Note that repossessed cars are not up for sale because of their deteriorating condition—it’s because their previous owners are not financially stable. Therefore, many repossessed cars, especially newer ones, are in good condition.
Because repossessed cars were purchased by their previous owners via auto loans, they were probably more careful in handling the cars. Not many will drive recklessly and wreck a car that they have not even paid for in full yet. Moreover, most repossessed cars are under five years old, so their manufacturer’s warranty may still apply. Many repossessed cars also have less mileage on them, given the fact that their previous owners were not able to finish paying for cars that they were supposed to pay for in full after a certain time period.
Most banks sell 2016 and 2017 car models, and some even sell 2018 models. You should give repossessed cars a try. Who knows—maybe you can strike a good deal on these relatively new models at a bargain price.
