Otay Car Auction in San Diego, Cali - Open to the Public

Otay Auto Auction holds its public car auctions on Saturdays at 9am in San Diego, California. Registrations and Inspection are Friday 9am-3pm

Otay Auto Auction (aka Otay Mesa Auto Auction) is also a licensed and bonded automotive dealer. They offer the same full line of services you would expect from a bigger auction house, including great customer support. They will help first-time auction visitors through the process of buying a used car or used truck.

Bid on a Large Selection of Wholesale Used Cars

They offer the opportunity to view a large amount of low priced cars for sale at a single location and without the hassle of sales staff.

Some of the auction cars for sale are from local charities, including Heritage for the Blind, Cars 4 Causes, Donate 4 Kids, and others. These vehicles are donated to be auctioned with the proceeds benefiting their efforts.

Last we checked, Otay Auction accepts Cash Only as payment for winning bids in the auction.

TIPS & ADVICE: Used Car Auctions at Otay San Diego

At Otay Auto Auctions, the auctions start every Saturday at 9 AM, and they’re open to the public. From my experience as a wholesaler, I’ve found it to be a good place to find a variety of vehicles at reasonable prices.

The pace is fast, with each vehicle being auctioned off in about a minute, and the entire event wraps up in around three hours. They post the list of available vehicles online every Wednesday, so you’ll have a few days to review. Once you win a bid, you’ve got until the following Tuesday to pay the balance and pick up your vehicle.

Unlike the pressure of a dealership, Otay lets you bid at your own pace. You can take your time inspecting the cars, and the inventory is varied—everything from donations and bank repos to lease returns, seizures, and consignments. Just keep in mind, it’s cash only here. They don’t offer any financing.

Vehicles can be inspected an hour before the auction begins, and I strongly suggest bringing a mechanic. Since every car is sold “AS-IS, WHERE-IS,” you want to know exactly what you’re getting.

Once you’ve made a purchase, they provide all the necessary documents for registration. You’ll have 96 hours to finalize payment and collect your vehicle, or you risk losing your deposit. The auction staff is helpful with DMV documentation, and in our experience, they can point you to registration or vehicle export services.

Otay Auto Auction Reviews

Reviews of Otay Auto Auction from public bidders can be found at Better Business Bureau and also on Google Maps.

We have seen some mixed reviews, but overall, Otay has a good reputation as a wholesale used car auction in San Diego.