Pennsylvania has so much to offer. Whether it’s delving into a history lesson at the Independence National Park or taking a trip to the iconic Hershey Park, the state has numerous attractions that you need to see. And if you want to make your trips more memorable, you should invest in an eye-catching vehicle that makes the journey unforgettable.
Consider salvage vehicles if buying a new car is out of your budget. These cars cost much less than clean-title cars, as they are declared a “total loss” by insurance companies. Because of that, you are legally prohibited from driving salvage vehicles until they are repaired, inspected, and granted a rebuilt title by the DMV. Once the car gets a rebuilt title, you can take it out on the road and see everything that Pennsylvania has to offer.
So, if you are ready to purchase your first-ever salvage vehicle in Pennsylvania, follow these steps to secure a good deal.
Research Your Options
Pennsylvania can be known for having cold and snowy weather during the winter months. To battle the snow-covered roads, you need to buy a vehicle with a robust automotive HVAC system, high traction system, all-wheel drive, and high ground clearance. Thankfully, you can find vehicles with these features at the ABB salvage cars auction.
Inspect the Vehicle History Report
A vehicle history report provides detailed information about the car and ensures you don’t buy a “lemon” car. In the auction industry, “lemon” simply means that the vehicle has been recalled multiple times for various defects, making it unsafe to drive.
To ensure that you are paying for a good vehicle, review the vehicle history report. It consists of the following:
- Previous accidents report
- Damages the vehicle has obtained over time
- Title history
- Previous owners and selling history
- Mileage and odometer reading
- Proper service history
- Open recall history
The salvage vehicle’s final value will be determined by these factors. Therefore, you should always review a vehicle history report to make an informed decision.
Consult with an Expert
If you are a novice, the information presented in the vehicle history report will not make much sense to you. Therefore, it is better to consult with a trusted mechanic to learn whether or not you should invest your savings in a salvage car. Engaging in this practice will ensure you secure a good deal and don’t go overboard with the budget.
Find an Authentic Auto Auction
Buying a salvage car from an authentic auto auction will give you access to a vast vehicle inventory and certified cars. One of the genuine online auctions in Pennsylvania is A Better Bid (ABB). It is a Copart-registered broker that organizes public auctions on a daily basis.
In these daily auctions, you can bid on a fleet that is exclusively available for car dealers. The best part is you don’t need to have a dealership license. You only need to show your driver’s ID to bid and buy from ABB.
To have a smooth experience with ABB, follow these steps:
Make an Account
ABB offers free registration. To register, you’ll have to provide the following:
- First and last name
- Valid email address
- Country
- State
Select Membership Package
You can choose from three membership packages, which are:
- Standard ($0/year): This subscription package allows you to purchase up to 5 vehicles and bid a maximum amount of $30,000. The transaction fee is $299 or 5% (whichever is greater). You can participate in live bidding but cannot review vehicle history reports.
- Premium ($199/year): This subscription package has a purchase limit of 10 vehicles. You can place maximum bids of $60,000 and have to pay $250 or 3% of the vehicle price as a transaction fee. You can also access ten vehicle history reports.
- Pro ($349/year): This subscription package allows you to purchase as many cars as you want and place bids without a limit. Your transaction fee also reduces to $199 or 1.5%, and you can request 50 vehicle history reports.
Earn Buying Power
To bid during the live auction, you must have buying power in your account. You can obtain this power by depositing the required amount from your bank account. Your buying power is entirely refundable as it works as a security deposit. This amount ensures you don’t back out of a deal after placing the winning bid. Once you have paid the total amount of your purchased vehicle, ABB will refund the security deposit to your bank account.
Bid with Freedom
Now it’s time to find your dream vehicle from an inventory of 300,000+ cars. You can bid and purchase the one that perfectly fits your budget. Make sure to include the shipping and repair cost in the budget. Otherwise, you will be strapped for cash at the last moment.
After winning the bid, you will have two business days to deliver the payment and avoid a late fee. Since salvage cars are unsafe to drive, ABB has a domestic and international shipping service. Within two to three business days, your vehicle will be picked up and forwarded so that you can receive it at your doorstep.
Wrapping Up
Salvage cars need to be repaired and changed to a rebuilt title for you to legally drive on the road. Since you have to pay additional repair costs, make sure you don’t spend more than the budgeted amount.
You should also check the vehicle history report and consult with a professional mechanic to select a car with minimal damage. Once you have “ticked” all the boxes, head over to ABB’s online auction to purchase your dream car!