When buying a car from the USA, aim for vehicles from insurance companies (lowest risk of scams), those listed for auction for the first time (greater certainty about the condition), with confirmed history (Carfax/AutoCheck), a "run & drive" status, and a complete set of keys. Pay attention to the document type – only "clean" or "salvage" titles will allow registration in Poland without additional problems. The most profitable cars are those with light damage to the front or rear, no deployed airbags – simple repairs, higher resale value, and fewer issues after import.
Buying a car from an American auction can be a great solution – provided you know what to look for. A good choice at the purchase stage leads to fewer problems after import and a higher chance of satisfaction with the purchase. Here are the principles that will help you find a quality vehicle.
The safest cars are those listed for auction by insurance companies. Such a vehicle usually ends up at the auction after a collision, where the repair was deemed uneconomical in American conditions – but this doesn’t mean the car is in bad condition. Insurance companies follow clear procedures and have no interest in hiding defects – they show the actual condition of the car, document damages with detailed photos, and accurately describe the title (e.g., salvage, clean).
When buying from an insurance company, you can be sure the car wasn’t previously repaired "for resale," as often happens with vehicles from private dealers. Lower risk of hidden damages means lower repair costs and fewer surprises after the vehicle is delivered to Poland. This is the safest source for those who want maximum control over what they are buying.
If a car appears at auction for the first time, it means it hasn't been rejected by another buyer. This increases the chances that the description and photos accurately reflect the vehicle’s actual condition. Cars listed again may raise suspicions – often, someone bought the car but decided not to finalize the transaction after a more thorough inspection (e.g., at the port or on the transport lot).
Such decisions usually have specific reasons – hidden damages, missing documents, more serious mechanical issues, or registration difficulties. Furthermore, the car may have been relisted because it was involved in another accident after the first sale, resulting in additional damages. A car from the first auction is lower risk and gives greater certainty that no one has previously tried to "get rid of a problem." In the long run, this saves time, money, and stress.
A full vehicle history is one of the most important elements when evaluating a car. Carfax and AutoCheck reports provide detailed information about the car's past – showing the number of owners, mileage, service history, accidents, ownership status (leasing, fleet car), as well as any total loss events. These reports help you assess whether the car was used as intended and if there’s any hidden past.
Look for cars with the fewest owners and documented service history – preferably from authorized points or regularly. This is a sign that the owner cared for the car. On the other hand, frequent changes of ownership, lack of history, or long gaps between services could indicate neglect, odometer rollback, or attempts to hide accidents.
It’s worth noting that Carfax and AutoCheck reports are much more detailed than their European counterparts – systems in the USA register data from service centers, insurance companies, inspection stations, and even dealers, providing a very broad picture of the vehicle's history. This significantly reduces the risk of buying a "pig in a poke."
The "run & drive" status means that the car starts with the key and can move by its own power on the auction lot. This is a very important piece of information – it indicates that the engine works, the gearbox operates correctly, and the drivetrain has not been severely damaged. In cars with this status, basic mechanical components are usually in good working order or need only minor repairs.
The absence of the "run & drive" label may suggest that the vehicle doesn't start or move due to damage, electrical failures, immobilizer issues, or lack of keys. In such cases, diagnostics and repairs can be much more difficult and expensive than they initially appear.
It sounds trivial, but a lack of keys is a real and costly problem you should not risk. Without the key, you won’t be able to check if the car starts, schedule a technical inspection, and in many cases, unloading the car from the tow truck in the usual way may not even be possible.
Making a key, especially for modern cars with a keyless system, can cost several thousand zlotys and requires advanced programming at an authorized service center. Therefore, it’s best to choose cars with a clearly marked "keys: yes" status in the auction description.
To register a car in Poland, it must have the appropriate "title" – preferably "clean" or "salvage," which are accepted by the authorities and vehicle inspection stations. Avoid cars with a "certificate of destruction," "parts only," or similar designations – these are considered non-repairable and cannot be registered in Poland, even after repairs.
Theoretically, it is possible to change the title in the USA to one that allows registration in Europe, but this involves additional costs, local intermediaries, and often months of delays. In practice, it’s not worth the trouble.
Cars with light damage are much more profitable – especially when the damage is limited to bumpers, lights, trunk lids, or front fenders. These are parts that can be easily and relatively cheaply replaced without affecting the vehicle’s structure. Repairing such areas does not negatively impact the safety of the car or its value when resold.
It’s best to choose cars that were damaged in places where body parts can be easily replaced – for example, the front or rear. Avoid vehicles with deployed airbags – replacing them is expensive, and the fact that the airbags were deployed lowers the market value of the car and may raise doubts during resale. Such a car is also harder to sell in the future, as many buyers seek vehicles with no accident history involving safety system interventions.