You found a car at auction, the price looks right, and before you bid you want to drive it around the block. That is the normal way to buy a used car, so it is fair to ask. Here is the straight answer, why auctions work this way, and how to check a car you cannot drive.
The short answer: No. Public car auctions, Remarket Space included, do not let you test drive before you bid, and cars sell as is. At Remarket Space you get an inspection report, a free Carfax, and an HD virtual test drive video on every listing, plus a guarantee on undisclosed engine, automatic transmission, frame, or flood damage reported within 72 hours of delivery.
Updated October 27, 2026. Checked against the FTC used car buying guide, Manheim and ADESA auction pages, and the Remarket Space 3-Day Guarantee page. Sources are linked at the bottom.
Ready to look at real cars? See what is up for auction now. Every listing shows its inspection report, Carfax, and video before you place a bid.
Key takeaways
- No test drives: Manheim’s public auction FAQ says you cannot test drive a vehicle at any time. Remarket Space does not allow them either.
- As is means you own the problems: the FTC explains that an as is sale means the seller will not pay for repairs after the sale.
- You can still check the car: read the inspection report, watch the start up and driving video, and run the VIN for history and recalls.
- Protection is narrow but real: the Remarket Space 3-Day Major Mechanical Guarantee covers four undisclosed major defects, not everything.
- Budget for surprises: plan money for tires, brakes, fluids, and a mechanic visit after the car arrives.
Can you test drive a car at an auction?
No, not as a member of the public. Manheim runs public sales at some locations, and its public auction FAQ says you cannot test drive a vehicle at any time and that every sale is as is, where is, and final. Remarket Space works the same way: there are no test drives, and the car is delivered to you after you pay.
Some dealer-only auctions do list buyer previews with test drives. The ADESA St. Louis location page, for example, lists a Tuesday preview window. But ADESA requires buyers to register as dealers, so that option is closed to most people. Our guide to whether the public can buy at ADESA and Manheim explains the dealer rules.
Why auctions do not allow test drives
- Volume: an auction sells many cars in a short window. Road tests for every bidder would stop the sale.
- Liability: a stranger driving an uninsured, unregistered car on public roads is a risk no auction wants.
- Price: auction cars sell below retail partly because the seller does not pay for road tests, reconditioning, or a warranty.
What does as is mean when you buy at auction?
The FTC’s guide to buying a used car from a dealer explains that an as is sale, marked As Is – No Dealer Warranty on the Buyers Guide, means the seller will not pay for any problems or repairs. Once you win, the car is yours, including anything wrong with it.
That is why the checks below matter so much. You are trading a test drive for information, and the better that information is, the less you are guessing.
What you get instead of a test drive at Remarket Space
Every listing on Remarket Space includes the same three things, according to our How It Works page:
- An inspection report: each car is checked by a Verified Remarket Space Inspector, and the results are posted on the listing, including tires, suspension, transmission, engine, brakes, and mechanical codes.
- A free Carfax: so you can see reported accidents, title brands, and ownership history before you bid.
- An HD virtual test drive: a video that shows how the car starts, runs, and sounds.
The price on the listing also shows your out-the-door total with the delivery quote, so you are not guessing at fees either. The buyer premium and fee table lists every rate.
| What a test drive tells you | What to check instead |
|---|---|
| Does it start and idle smoothly? | Watch the start up in the HD video. Listen for knocks, ticks, or rough idle. |
| Any warning lights? | Look at the dash in the video and the mechanical codes in the inspection report. |
| Does the transmission shift right? | Read the transmission notes in the inspection report and watch the driving portion of the video. |
| Do the brakes and tires feel okay? | Check brake and tire notes in the report. Budget for them if they are worn. |
| Has it been in a wreck or flood? | Read the Carfax and run a free title check. Look at photos for uneven panel gaps. |
How to inspect a car you cannot drive
Use this order before every bid.
1. Read the whole condition report. Look for words like does not start, check engine, leak, or rust, and price them in.
2. Watch the video twice. Once for sound at start up, once for smoke, warning lights, and how it moves.
3. Read the Carfax. Check the title brand, odometer readings, and accident reports.
4. Run the VIN yourself. Use NMVTIS for title history and NHTSA for open safety recalls.
5. Set your max bid with repairs included. Add tires, brakes, and anything the report flagged, then stop there.
For a printable list, use our free pre-bid inspection checklist. Our car auction inspection tips go deeper on photos, and the vehicle history report guide shows how to read a Carfax line by line.
Can you inspect a repossessed car or truck before bidding?
Yes, the same way: through the listing. Repossessed cars often sat for a while, so look hard at the battery, tires, and brakes in the report. Our guide to buying repossessed cars covers what to expect. If you want a pickup, browse trucks at auction or GMC listings and compare reports side by side.
What the 3-Day Major Mechanical Guarantee covers
This is not a warranty. Every car is still sold as is. The 3-Day Major Mechanical Guarantee covers only these defects, and only if the listing did not disclose them:
- Lower-end engine damage: a cracked block, failed crankshaft, or failed connecting rods or rod bearings.
- Automatic transmission failure: slipping or failing to shift.
- Frame or structural damage: accident cuts, welds, or rot with holes larger than 1 inch.
- Flood damage: for example a flood waterline or mold in electrical modules.
You must file within 72 hours of delivery, drive the car no more than 100 miles, make no repairs, and have paid in full within 48 hours of winning. Under a $2,000 winning bid, you keep the car and get 25 percent of your bid back, up to $500. At $2,000 or more, you return the car at your cost and get your winning bid, buyer premium, and DMV fees refunded.
Not covered: manual transmissions, anything disclosed on the listing, cars that did not start at the auction, buses and heavy trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, trailers, and equipment. Read the full rules before you bid.
Mistakes buyers make when they cannot test drive
- Skipping the report: the biggest problems are usually written down. Read every line.
- Bidding on photos alone: photos show paint, not engines. Watch the video and listen.
- Forgetting fees and repairs: add the buyer premium, tax, delivery, and repairs to your number before you bid.
- Chasing a bid: bids are binding. Set a max and use proxy bidding so you do not overpay.
More in our list of common mistakes to avoid at car auctions, our tips for first-time auction buyers, and how proxy bidding works.
Buy without a test drive, with the facts up front
Remarket Space is an online car auction open to the public. You do not need a dealer license, just a free account and a photo ID. Every listing shows an inspection by a Verified Remarket Space Inspector, a free Carfax, an HD virtual test drive, real photos, and your out-the-door total with delivery. You can bid live or hit Buy Now, pay by card within 48 hours, and the car is delivered to you: typically within 48 hours in the Twin Cities and St. Louis areas, with timing elsewhere varying by distance. Eligible cars carry the 3-Day Major Mechanical Guarantee for undisclosed engine, transmission, frame, or flood damage.
Browse cars up for auction now, start with cars under $5,000, or read how bidding works first.
Frequently asked questions
No. Public car auctions do not allow test drives before bidding, and cars sell as is. Manheim says you cannot test drive a vehicle at any time. At Remarket Space you check the car through its inspection report, free Carfax, and HD virtual test drive video instead.
At in-person public auctions it depends on the location, so ask the auction before preview day. At Remarket Space you cannot start the car yourself, but every listing has a video that shows the car starting and running.
No. Remarket Space is fully online, and every car is delivered. In-person inspections and lot pickup are not available, so the inspection report, Carfax, photos, and video are how you check the car.
As is means the seller will not pay for problems or repairs after the sale. Once you win, any defect becomes yours. At Remarket Space cars are sold as is, with a separate guarantee for four undisclosed major defects reported within 72 hours.
It covers undisclosed lower-end engine damage, automatic transmission failure, frame or structural damage, and flood damage. You must file within 72 hours of delivery, keep the car unrepaired, and drive it no more than 100 miles.
Read the full condition report, watch the start up and driving video, read the Carfax, and run the VIN through NMVTIS and the NHTSA recall lookup. Then set a maximum bid that includes fees, delivery, and likely repairs.
Sources
- Manheim: Public auction sales and FAQ
- ADESA: St. Louis location, buyer previews
- FTC: Buying a used car from a dealer
- U.S. Department of Justice: NMVTIS vehicle history
- NHTSA: Check for safety recalls by VIN
- Remarket Space: 3-Day Major Mechanical Guarantee
General information, not legal advice. Auction rules change, so confirm the terms on each listing before you bid.
