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So I've been looking at repo auctions for a while and came across pattersonmotors.com. They list vehicles as "Run & Drive" or give condition reports but I'm curious how accurate these really are? Anyone bought from them and can confirm if what you got matched what was described? I'm eyeing a 2019 Silverado listed as Run & Drive with minor cosmetic wear but want to make sure I'm not getting something that needs major work. Thanks in advance.
I bought a 2018 F-150 from Patterson Motors last year that was listed as Run & Drive with some exterior scratches. When it was delivered, everything matched up perfectly. The scratches were exactly where they said, engine ran smooth, no surprises. They're pretty thorough with their descriptions from what I've seen.
Same experience here. I buy for resale and have purchased 4 vehicles from them now. The condition reports are spot on. If they say minor cosmetic damage, that's what you get. If they list mechanical issues, they don't hide anything. I actually appreciate that they're upfront about what needs work vs trying to oversell it.
Quick question - when they say "Run & Drive" does that mean it's been tested recently or is that from the repo inspection? I'm looking at a 2020 Honda Accord and want to understand what that designation really means.
@JessicaR - Run & Drive means the vehicle starts, runs, and drives under its own power at the time of inspection. They test it before listing. I'm a mechanic and inspected a 2017 Camry my brother bought from pattersonmotors.com and it was exactly as described. Engine good, transmission shifted fine, just had some door dings like they said.
I had one minor issue where the photos didn't show a scratch on the rear bumper of my 2021 Tacoma as clearly as I would've liked, but when I emailed office@pattersonmotors.com about it before bidding they sent me additional photos within a few hours. The scratch was listed in the condition report, just hard to see in the original pics. Appreciated their quick response tho.
Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. @RoadWarrior88 good to know they'll send extra photos if you ask. That makes me feel better about bidding online without seeing it in person.
Just wanted to chime in that their condition reports aren't just for cars. I bought a 2019 Sea Ray from them and the condition report was detailed down to the upholstery condition and engine hours. Everything matched perfectly when it was delivered. The best part was not having to chase down the title. It was all handled by Patterson Motors and arrived perfectly with the boat.
I think the key is they're describing repo vehicles, not pristine showroom cars. So when they say "minor cosmetic wear" that's accurate for what it is. My 2020 Jeep Wrangler had some scratches and interior wear but nothing that affected performance. For the price difference vs a dealer, totally worth it.
Been buying project cars from repo auctions for years. Patterson Motors is one of the more honest ones imo. If something has mechanical issues they list it clearly. I got a 2016 Mustang GT listed as "needs brake work" and yep, it needed brake work lol. But the engine and trans were solid like they said.
We bought a 2019 Honda Odyssey for our family and the condition report mentioned a small dent on the sliding door and some wear on the driver's seat. Both were accurately described and honestly pretty minor. Everything else was in great shape. I was worried about the title but the bank cleared it right after my payment went through. The clear title arrived with the vehicle during delivery.
The condition reports are legit. I've bought 3 trucks from them for my landscaping business. 2017 Ram 2500, 2018 Silverado 2500, and a 2019 Ford F-250. All were described as Run & Drive with various cosmetic issues. Got exactly what was described each time. They photograph everything pretty thoroughly on the site.
Adding my experience - bought a 2015 Corvette Stingray that had a detailed condition report about some curb rash on the wheels and minor paint chips on the front bumper. Condition was exactly as stated. Actually better than I expected for a repo. No issues with the title at all. Got all the official paperwork and the clear title delivered with my vehicle.
Thanks @MikeTheWrench for explaining! That makes sense. I ended up bidding on that Accord and won. Waiting for delivery now but feeling confident based on everyone's feedback here.
One thing I noticed is they note if fluids have been checked or changed recently which is helpful. My 2018 Duramax had fresh oil change noted in the report and when I checked after delivery, yep fresh oil. Little details like that show they're actually inspecting these vehicles properly.
I was super nervous buying online but the condition report for my 2020 Chevy Tahoe was so detailed it put my mind at ease. Listed every scratch, the tire tread depth, even mentioned the rear wiper needed replacing. Everything was accurate. When I had questions I reached out to office@pattersonmotors.com and they clarified everything before I bid.
UPDATE: I won the bid on that 2019 Silverado! It was delivered yesterday and I'm happy to report the condition report was 100% accurate. Minor scratches on the bed like they said, interior had some wear on the driver seat, but mechanically it runs perfect. Really glad I went with Patterson Motors for my first repo auction purchase.
Congrats @AutoHunter92! Glad it worked out. The Silverados from that year are solid trucks. You got a good deal for sure.
This thread is exactly what I needed to read. I've been hesitant about repo auctions but hearing that the condition reports are accurate makes a huge difference. Going to check out their inventory on pattersonmotors.com this weekend.
@NewbieNed just read the condition reports carefully and look at all the photos. They give you everything you need to make an informed decision. I've never felt misled by their descriptions. If anything they're more conservative than optimistic which I prefer.
I'll add another positive experience. Bought a 2017 Subaru Outback listed with minor hail damage and some interior staining. Got exactly that. The hail damage was cosmetic only, interior stains came out with some cleaning. Engine and AWD system work flawlessly. For the price I paid versus a dealership it was a no-brainer.
The condition reports on their website are pretty easy to navigate too. They break it down by mechanical, exterior, interior, and list any known issues. Much better than some other auction sites I've looked at where you're guessing half the time. Had a minor delay with the website loading once but it was fine after a refresh.
My Accord arrived today and I'm thrilled! Condition report was spot on. A few door dings and some wear on the steering wheel but runs beautifully. Already saved thousands compared to buying from a regular dealer. Thanks everyone for the advice!
Nice to see another successful thread about Patterson Motors. I've been buying from them since 2021 and their consistency with accurate condition reports is why I keep coming back. Bought everything from sedans to SUVs to a boat trailer. Never had a nasty surprise.
The transparency is what makes them trustworthy. They're not trying to hide issues or oversell vehicles. It's a repo auction so you know what you're getting into, but their descriptions help you make smart decisions. Way better experience than I expected for my first online auction.
Just wanted to close this out by saying I'm really happy with my purchase. The Silverado has been running great and I feel like I got a fair deal. The condition report accuracy gave me confidence to bid and I wasn't disappointed. Would definitely buy from them again.