Right to be skeeved out by auction vehicles?

[NYAUDIS4]

I'm on the search for a low mileage 14-16 S4. First thing I've noticed is these vehicles aren't nearly as plentiful as the BMW 335 I came from. Pretty easy to find a good deal there. Second, I've seen a fair amount of low mileage, apparently clean Carfax vehicles, go to auction.

I understand that vehicles go to auction for any number of reasons, but at trade or lease expiration, a nice example of these cars isn't hard to sell. So, that it went to auction has been a red flag for me.

On the other side of that coin, I went to buy a very low mileage CPO this past weekend - certified funds in hand - only to walk away because the car looked like a 16 y/o girl had been driving it. All wheels curbed, scratches, dents and chips on nearly every panel.

Any reason not to wary of a late model/low mileage auction vehicle as a general rule?

[Slick_B8]

I'm on the search for a low mileage 14-16 S4. First thing I've noticed is these vehicles aren't nearly as plentiful as the BMW 335 I came from. Pretty easy to find a good deal there. Second, I've seen a fair amount of low mileage, apparently clean Carfax vehicles, go to auction.

I understand that vehicles go to auction for any number of reasons, but at trade or lease expiration, a nice example of these cars isn't hard to sell. So, that it went to auction has been a red flag for me.

On the other side of that coin, I went to buy a very low mileage CPO this past weekend - certified funds in hand - only to walk away because the car looked like a 16 y/o girl had been driving it. All wheels curbed, scratches, dents and chips on nearly every panel.

Any reason not to wary of a late model/low mileage auction vehicle as a general rule?

Auction vehicles will always be hit or miss. And even if you find one with a clean title, that may not always be the case. Its hard to determine whats a win or loss when it comes to them but as long as you know what youre looking for, then i dont see the problem with an auction vehicle. For example, there may be a s4 at the auction and they have a killer deal on it. The title is clean, the car smells new or has a heavy scent of air freshener so you think everything with the car is gucci. You purchase it but a few months pass by and you start smeeling something fowl. You take everything apart and start noticing water stains in the lower interior after removing panels. Then you pull up the carpet and notice the bottom of the carpet is black/moldy as fuck and you realize this clean title vehicle is not so clean and has been flooded before. Not enough to where they salvage the title or damage major components, but enough to literally create a biohazard that youre gonna be breathing until you take everything out and clean it up. Just my thought on how things go. Due-diligence is needed

[NYAUDIS4]

I realize I wasn't very clear. I wouldn't be purchasing from an auction, rather I'd be purchasing from a dealership that purchased from an auction. For example:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...2170/overview/

Nice car, low miles, well optioned, presumably came back on a lease. Yet, the dealership that took it in subsequently sent it out to be wholesaled instead of selling on their lot. Having to wonder why makes me uncomfortable.

[USAF_Danny]

I realize I wasn't very clear. I wouldn't be purchasing from an auction, rather I'd be purchasing from a dealership that purchased from an auction. For example:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...2170/overview/

Nice car, low miles, well optioned, presumably came back on a lease. Yet, the dealership that took it in subsequently sent it out to be wholesaled instead of selling on their lot. Having to wonder why makes me uncomfortable.

I bought my S4 from the dealership who bought it from an auction.

It was a business lease in MD and was sold at an auction. So I'm the first "true" owner.

Leased vehicles get the maintenance done at the Audi dealerships so I wasn't too worried about the car. I haven't had any major issues with it either. Other than the small problems the S4 is already prone to.

Check the vehicle out, scan with a VAGCOM, test drive the shit out of it.