in other states to buy cars. The prices at the dealer auctions in Utah are generally higher than the auctions in NV, CA, CO and other states.

I think the reason for this is that there are more new car buyers in other states who trade in used cars so there is a glut of used cars in states like CA and many others. There is more demand for used cars in Utah. So used car prices are higher in Utah than in some other states.

There are even dealers who to to other states to buy cars then take them to the Utah auctions and sell them at a profit. Or they wholesale the cars to other Utah dealers for a profit.

However, there are a lot of variables to this. Depends on the state, the auctions, the time of year, the sort of car one wants to buy, etc.

Historically, Utah used car dealers go to the Las Vegas dealer auctions to buy their inventory. That is the closest place with a lot of cars for the best prices. Of course there are dealers who travel further to other states.

These days dealers can shop the auctions online. So if they are looking for a particular car they can buy it at an auction anywhere and have it shipped to them. The auctions inspect the car and show the info online so the dealer knows what he is buying.

Some Utah used car dealers buy the local New Car dealers trade-ins. Usually older cars that the New Car dealer doesn't want on their lot so they wholesale them out.

Dealers also buy cars from the rental car companies although some of them sell their own used cars. Dealers also buy cars from the public. People find it difficult to sell their used car so they take it to a dealer and sell it.

Some people on here have bought cars from Rand's in Bountiful. Rand historically buys large numbers of cars from dealer auctions in states where prices are lower than in Utah. He then sells the cars to the public, wholesale to other dealers and at Utah dealer auctions. There are other dealers who do this also. He sells the cars for a little lower price, making money on the volume.