Anyone ever bought a car from an auction?

Question

I'm worried I really got screwed. Anyway someone bought me a car at a big auction last week. The owner (dealer) sent off for a title in Missouri. I live in Illinois and have to re-apply here when I get the MO title. I do have all the papers and pink slip How long does it take to get a title back in the mail? Anyone have any idea? Thank you.

Answer 1

Titles can take as much as 30 to 60 days to come back.. I work with some folks who buy and sell cars all the time.. Most are reputable dealers, but, like anything else, you'll have to follow the old rule of caveat emptor, or, let the buyer beware...

but, just make sure that your pal checked out the car before..

since you say this person is a dealer, then they should know what they're doing..

Answer 2

Frankly I would not buy a car without being given the title at the point of sale, but if the seller was a dealer, you are probably okay.  It can take up to 30 days, and hopefully he gave you a temporary tag to be able to drive it.

Answer 3

I bought my first car from a car auction and it was alright. All it needed was a new alternator which only cost $100 to fix. It only took like a week or two for me to get my title in the mail. So your's should be on it's way.

Answer 4

I would not do it because the person might think that it is okay but probably in a couple of days the car will break. and u r stuck fixing it. So u should not take it. exspecially if there is no title to it.

Answer 5

just a second. someone bought you a car...as a gift?

chances are it was seized from a drunk driver, or around a drug thing, and it may be just fine. a worse thing would be if it was bought from a rental agency.

I know people who buy cars at auctions, and usually they turn out just fine. I have attended big car auctions, and seen good deals happen. I cannot tell you how long paperwork issues will be going on between MO and IL, but there is really no point in worrying about this stuff. The manner in which the car was sold means almost exactly nothing. What is far more important is what make and model of car it is, and you can find out more about its predicted reliability by going to your local library and reading Consumer Reports.

try to relax on this. Chances are the car is just fine...

Answer 6

Don't do it, unless you go to a police auction. But a regular auction, i say NO!