The banks sometimes have repos for sale to the public.
Rental car companies also sell to the general public, some even have separate sale lots.
Off Lease autos are first offered in the bigger Auto Auctions like Mannheim, Odessa, Greensboro AA, to Factory Dealerships. After that a separate Auction generally on another day that offers the leftovers to Auto Wholesalers and Used Car Dealers.
These Auctions are for not open the public... But if you ask around in your area you might find a dealer to buy a car for you for a fee or tagging along by offering to drive a car to auction for the dealer.
Another option is to pay a dealer to purchase online a "Certified" vehicle from an Auction.
Mendenhall auto auction is open to the public but I would stay away from them.
A couple of auto auction terms;
Highline sale is premium, Factory Sale is for Dealerships only, Ironman and Bone-Yard lanes are wrecks or need work, Green Light is all paperwork (title) is ready/present, Red light is paperwork or other issues on the vehicle EG will not pass inspection, etc.
Most vehicles must be arbitrated within the hour of the sale if the dealer/buyer finds an issue that was not announced.
There are Auction Fees for the Dealer/Buyer and to the Seller even if the vehicle is not sold.
Only registered Dealers with ID badges are allowed in the lanes during the Auction...GAA is very strict about that.
Don't even think of bringing a camera or taking a picture w/camera phone on Auction Property.
In case anyone is wondering; After pulling Tankers for Matlack, I drove Car Carriers for the Auto Auctions.