A Day at the Auction
A vehicle arrives in the lane at Manheim Riverside's auction.
Vehicles of all shapes, sizes and conditions are lined up ready for inspection.
Manheim Riverside's paint and body shop can make auction vehicles look like new in preparation for going into the lane.
The investment in reconditioning can help sellers net higher resale prices in some cases.
A Volkswagen Beetle is wrapped for repainting.
Repairing bumpers and wheel or tire damage provide the bread and butter of recon work.
The auctioneer (sitting in the podium) continues to be a key figure in the auction process. A ringman (in white shirt with arm raised) helps identify and communicate bids to the auctioneer.
In today's auctions, technology plays a key role in sales. Buyers can either bid in person or online.
After the conclusion of the auction, buyers have the post-sale option (for a small fee) to inspect their purchase top to bottom as a condition of the sale.
The center handles everything from minor cosmetic to major component repairs.
Vehicles are staged in a parking lot outside of the center.
Vehicles of all types ar esubject to a rigorous inspection by trained technicians.
Each vehicle is assigned a tracking number and code.
If it's determined that a vehicle has damage and the seller is willing to have the repairs done, the vehicle will be sent to the body shop for repairs and repainting.
Even if a vehicle doesn't need any body work, at the very least it will receive a thorough detailing.
This Chevrolet Silverado pickup has been washed, cleaned, and waxed. It it now ready for auction.
In-person buyers get up close and personal with the vehicles they are bidding on. Many use hand-held devices to scan the vehicle's barcode for detailed information.
Inspection pit shown following completion of sale.
In November 2013, Volkswagen Credit (VCI)/Audi Financial Services opened a technical operations and buyback center at Manheim Riverside.