What we check on an auction lot before we bid

A lot on a US auction platform comes with photos, a short description and sometimes a damage report. Everything else gets checked before we bid, not after the car reaches Chisinau.

Title type

The title says whether the car was declared a total loss. A “salvage” or “rebuilt” title can mean a much lower price, but also prior repairs that need to be assessed properly.

History and real condition

We check the car’s history by VIN — recorded accidents, the number of previous owners, and whether the mileage is consistent with the car’s age.

Photos and damage location

We go through the lot’s photos to pin down exactly where the damage is — body, frame, or just exterior trim — and how severe it looks.

“Run and drive” status

A lot marked “run and drive” changes the assessment a lot: the engine starting is no longer a question mark, only the visible repairs are.

Airbags and structural damage

We check whether the airbags deployed and whether there are signs of structural damage — both add significantly to repair costs.

Estimated repair cost versus real value

We compare the estimated repair cost against the car’s market value in good condition, so the lot price plus repairs stays below that threshold.

How we work

We run these checks before we bid on your behalf, not after. If a lot doesn’t pass, we don’t bid on it — and we tell you why. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll start the search.