Auction ATVs and UTVs: Common Problems to Check

ATVs and UTVs (side-by-sides) are everywhere at Copart and IAA, especially in fall and after hunting season. Buyers pay good money for them fixed, and parts are easy to find for the big brands. But these machines live a hard life, and the damage isn't always obvious in auction photos.

01Why they end up at auction

• Rollovers. Very common on side-by-sides. Damage to the roll cage (ROPS), roof, plastics and sometimes the frame.
• Theft recoveries. Often stripped.
• Water damage. A machine that went under in a creek or a flood.
• Fire. Usually a parts machine.
• Repossessions. Sometimes in decent shape, sometimes abused.

02What to check

The frame and roll cage

• On a side-by-side, a bent roll cage is a safety part. Replace it; don't straighten it.
• Look for bent or cracked frame tubes, especially around the front suspension mounts and under the seats.
• On ATVs, check the handlebar and steering stem.

Suspension and steering

• A-arms bend easily on rocks and stumps. Look at whether the wheels sit straight.
• Tie rods and steering racks.
• Wheel bearings and ball joints: these wear out on high-hour machines.
• CV boots and axles: torn boots let in mud, and axles fail.

The CVT and belt

Most UTVs and many ATVs use a CVT (a belt-driven transmission). Belts wear and burn, and the clutches wear too. A machine that was run hard or got water in the belt housing may need both.

Water in the engine

If a machine went swimming:

• Milky oil means water in the engine.
• Water in the belt housing, air box and differentials.
• Electrical problems.

Look at the air box and intake in the photos if you can. Mud and water lines on the plastics are a clue.

Hours, not just miles

Many UTVs show engine hours. A machine with very high hours has worn parts everywhere.

Plastics and accessories

Plastics, windshields, roofs, winches and light bars all add up. Theft recoveries often come stripped.

03Recalls

Off-road vehicles have had their share of recalls, including fire-related recalls on some popular side-by-side models. Off-road recalls are handled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the manufacturer, not NHTSA. Check the manufacturer's recall lookup with the VIN, and search CPSC's recall site.

04The paperwork

This is where ATVs and UTVs trip people up:

• Not every state titles ATVs and UTVs. Some use titles, some use registration only, some just a bill of sale.
• An auction machine might come with a title, a certificate of origin, or just a bill of sale, depending on where it came from.
• Check the VIN on the frame and make sure it matches the paperwork. Stolen machines are common.
• Check your own state's rules before you bid, so you know what you need to register it or resell it.

05Price it

Find what the machine sells for fixed in your area; ATV and UTV prices vary a lot by region and season. Spring and fall are strong selling seasons. Then subtract parts (Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki parts are easy to find used), fees and transport. See pricing a salvage flip and getting a salvage vehicle home.

A rolled side-by-side with a bent cage and cracked plastic can be a great flip. One that sat underwater is usually not, unless you're parting it out.

Related: Buying a Salvage Motorcycle · Auction Trailers: Titles, VINs, and Paperwork · Buying Golf Carts at Auction: What to Check