If you’ve ever seen a street light, you know that there are 3 colors displayed: green, yellow, and red. Green means “go”, yellow means “slow down”, and red means “stop”. (Although some people think yellow means “hurry before it turns red”.) Big Valley Auto Auction also has a light system that all of our vehicles follow.
Since 2008, Big Valley Auto Auction has used a specific light system to properly represent the vehicles we run during our auctions, letting buyers and sellers know what condition the vehicles are in.
In this article, you’ll learn the different lights that vehicles run under at our auto auction and what each light represents.
After reading this article, you’ll have the information needed to know how Big Valley Auto Auction's light system works.
What do the Different Lights Mean at Big Valley Auto Auction?
Big Valley’s light system consists of 4 different lights that vehicles run under.
- Green
- Yellow
- Red
- Red-Yellow
Green Light
A green light vehicle has a “Ride and Drive” guarantee, which announces that a vehicle is being sold free of any known major defects to components, such as the drivetrain, engine, transmission, and rear end. A green light vehicle also qualifies for a full Post-Sale Inspection, which is a mechanical, structural, and electrical inspection that follows NAAA Arbitration policy. It costs $115.00 per vehicle and includes coverage of anything that can be arbitrated.
This applies to vehicles with 100,000 miles or less, and are 10 years old or newer. (ex: 2014-2023)
Green light vehicles are also eligible for Post Sale Inspections. However, the sale price of the vehicle must be more than $3,000 to qualify.
Yellow Light
Unlike a “Ride and Drive” guarantee, a yellow light vehicle has a “Limited” guarantee, which only covers a vehicle’s drivetrain, motor, transmission, structural integrity, differential (4x4), and transfer case.
Just like green light vehicles, yellow light vehicles that cost $3,000 or less are eligible for Post Sale Inspections. However, yellow light vehicles are also limited in arbitration, where brakes, air condition, and airbags are not covered. If the vehicle is a convertible, the roof is not covered, either.
This applies to vehicles with 100,000 miles or less, and are 10 years old or newer (ex: 2014-2023)
Red Light
A red light vehicle is considered “as-is”, regardless of its year, make, and amount of miles. Red light vehicles are considered “buyer beware”, which means what you see is what you get.
Unlike green and yellow lights, red light vehicles are not eligible for Post Sale Inspections. However, they do qualify for a frame check.
Red-Yellow
A vehicle that is run under a red-yellow light is considered “as-is, no arbitration”. The only issue that qualifies a red-yellow light vehicle for an arbitration is a late title, which needs to be received 30 calendar days, or 21 business days, after the vehicle is sold.
Is Big Valley Auto Auction’s Light System the Same as Other Auto Auctions?
Big Valley Auto Auction’s light system is similar to the NAAA light system, with a few differences. Unlike NAAA, Big Valley Auto Auction does not arbitrate for the following issues:
- Ford 5.4L engines
- Nissan 2.5L engines
- Cold startup engine
- Nissan CVT transmission
Arbitration
When it comes to arbitration, the requirements are different, depending on the light a vehicle was run under.
A green light vehicle is eligible to arbitrate any issue.
A yellow light vehicle is eligible to arbitrate any issue that is covered by Drive-Train, which includes a vehicle’s motor, transmission, differential (4x4), transfer case, and structural integrity.
A red light vehicle is only eligible to arbitrate undisclosed announcements. (Check NAAA arbitration guidelines)
Note: Per NAAA policies, you can only arbitrate any single issues that are at least $800.00.
However, these have to be individual issues that cost $800.00 each, not multiple issues that cost a total of $800.00.
If you want to file an arbitration for your vehicle, Big Valley Auto Auction gives you 7 days to file, with day 1 being Sale day and the deadline being the following Wednesday at 5:00PM.
Do I Understand Big Valley Auto Auction’s Light System?
If a vehicle was run under a green light, that means it was made 10 years ago or less, and has at least 100,000 miles. A vehicle being run under a yellow light means it has at least 100,000 miles, but has issues with its motor, transmission, differential (4x4), transfer case, or structural integrity. If a vehicle is run under a red light, that means it’s being sold “as is”, despite its year, make, and the amount of miles it has. A vehicle being sold “as-is, no arbitration” is a red-yellow light vehicle.
If this is your first time attending a Big Valley Auto Auction, getting familiar with our light system is beneficial to your overall experience as a buyer or seller.
