I see dent-and-scratch vehicles priced at $1,000–$2,000 with a clean title — is that too good to be true?

Not necessarily. Low prices at auction usually reflect the sales channel rather than a scam: these are often fleet, repossession, or insurance-related vehicles being sold in bulk without the markup of a traditional dealership lot. That said, "clean title" only describes the paperwork status, not a full mechanical inspection — always review listing photos closely and, if possible, inspect in person, since cosmetic listings can still hide mechanical issues not visible in photos.