I recently purchased a 2020 Chevy Trax from this auction as my daughter's first time vehicle, and…read morewant to share my experience so others understand what they are getting into.
Shortly after leaving the auction, the odometer screen began glitching on and off and there was a noticeable whistling noise from under the hood. We took the car for Maryland safety inspection and it failed because the odometer display went completely blank.
I ended up having to pay about $560 at the dealer to replace the instrument cluster just to get the car to pass inspection. In addition, I had to spend more money on a valve cover, brake pads, spark plugs, oil change, and a full interior detail because the car was filthy. We laughed at the 'Clean Inside' stickers the auction has on its cars.
If you are new to this you need to understand that these cars are sold strictly as-is. The auction advertises a 24-hour return window (red flag), but it ONLY applies to very specific major failures like engine or transmission issues. It does not cover problems like electrical failures, inspection issues, or other defects that show up immediately after purchase.
Also, be aware that bidding can feel questionable. We observed one individual bidding on nearly EVERY car but never actually winning, which made it feel like prices were being driven up on purpose.
Important advice if you are considering this auction:
-- Plan to be there most of the day and long waiting
-- Know which cars you want ahead of time
--Run CARFAX reports if possible before bidding
-- Research common issues for the specific make and model you're considering
-- Bring a mechanic who can scan for codes and inspect the car (highly important)
Even with a mechanic, it is not foolproof. Ours did not find any codes at the auction, but codes popped up shortly after we left.
Financial reality:
The car sold for $5,500. After auction and title fees, insurance, and everything else, my total investment ended up being about $8,000--$8,200. For context, a 2020 Chevy Trax with 103K miles typically sells for around $10,000--$13,000 at a dealer, so yes, I came out below retail, but that savings came with immediate out of pocket repairs, time, stress, and uncertainty right after purchase.
My advice overall:
-- Expect to spend additional money after purchase
-- Set aside (at least) $2,500+ for immediate repairs and other miscellaneous issues
--Know (don't wonder) the car will need work
--Understand their return policy is a joke and extremely limited
Personally, I would not recommend this business for anyone needing a reliable, ready to drive vehicle right away. There's no protection, you cannot fully test the car, and an extremely high likelihood of immediate repairs which make it a risky experience.
The car runs, but the amount of work needed immediately after purchase was disappointing. If you choose to play with fire anyway, just go in with your eyes open.