1. First, you want to plan the night before to arrive at the car auction at least 2 hours in advance of the start of the auction event. There will be more about this later but the reason is you want to have time to inspect the cars you are interested in before you start bidding on them. Also find yourself a Blue Book or Edmunds pricing guide to take along with you.

2. Invite a friend or family member to go with you to the car auction event, it will be fun for you both and they can help with the inspection process. While you are looking at the cars you have a interest in, another set of eyes truly makes a difference. They usually will always see something you don't see. Also, when you drive away in your new car, they can drive the one you came in back home for you.

3. If no one wants to go with you, check your localized listings (yellow pages) for automobile mechanics/grease monkeys, aim the smaller business type. Give a few of them a call and let them know about the auction in their region. They sometimes will jump at the chance to attend a car auction, if they know about it. Plus they might help you with the inspection process for free. You may already know someone who is a mechanic or likes cars that you didn't think of until now. Ask them to go with you.

4. Upon your arrival at the auction go to the registration table and register. Remember to get there at least two hours in advance. With your registration package will be a badge, copy of the rules and a list of the cars on the lot that day. This list is important to have with you make sure you get it in your package. It will help you save time and stay organized during the day while you do your car shopping.

5. Carefully look through the car auction inventory list and start shopping. Highlight all the cars you have a interest bidding on. Now next to each one you highlighted write the high and lowest value amounts from the Blue Book and/or Edmunds pricing guides. Generally the cars are laid out in the same order as listed on the inventory sheet. That makes it easy to just start at the first car and work your way down the line to each of the cars you have highlighted. Watch your time, estimate how much time you can spend on each car you have chosen and still leave about 10 to 15minutes to get a front seat at the auction bidding area. You want to be close so you can see the cars as they drive them through the auction.

6. While inspecting the car be sure to open all the doors, hood and trunk, start it up and have a good listen for any strange noises, check for leaks ie. exhaust, coolant, oil, etc.. check all fluid levels, view and inspect the electronics and control panel functions in the dashboard. You are not allowed to drive the car so check it over good where it sits. Open all compartments use your flashlight and look for any unusual damage in these compartments or dampness in and around the floor boards. Cross off your list any car you have doubts about. There will always be another one you can find that is in great condition. If your in doubt leave it out! Move on your merry way pay no mind to it. For more tips on inspecting auction cars see our resource box in this article.

7. Now that you have the best of the best vehicles you are the most comfortable with buying. It is time to go bid on them remember to get back to the auction area early, get a good front row seat and wait for your car to come through for bid. Auctions move quickly be watchful you don't spend more than the values you have written down. the best deals are at least 30% below the lowest value. 50% to 80% of course is best. use those figures as a guide to know when to stop bidding.