auction car lot

I have bought thousands of used cars and trucks at auto auctions in the United States. Not just because auction car prices are low, but also because it’s kind of fun and exciting.

public car auctions, among rows of black cars, a single red one stands out

You may be curious about buying a car at a public car auction, but are not sure where to even go or how to find auto auctions: Do not worry, there are actually many car auctions all around the United States that are open to the public for bidding on wholesale used cars.

Find a public car auction near you and bid with confidence using the information below. Car auctions do not need to be intimidating to beginner bidders.

Public used car auctions are actually quite fun and are easy with the help of auction staff to guide you through the car bidding process. There is also always the option to make an offer on an auction car and try to buy it outside of the auction(be sure to follow auction rules).

Centralia Auction's online inventory
This exemplifies the variety of items for sale at Centralia Auction in Washington.

Police Car Auctions vs Typical Public Car Auctions

First of all, there are many different types of car auctions including police auctions, salvage auctions, and the larger public wholesale car auctions that have weekly sales.

If you do not have a lot of experience with bidding in car auctions, it is best to visit the one of the larger, wholesale auto auctions instead of the smaller police and municipality car auctions.

auction cars in an auto auction lot

Lists of Local Used Car Auctions by State

Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Massachusetts
Maryland
Michigan
New York & New Jersey
North Carolina and South Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Texas
Virginia
Washington

SEE ALSO: My List of Public Car Auction Listings at Car Dealer King’s Auto Auction Directory

My Pro Tips for Public Car Auctions

  • Arrive early to view the cars for sale before the auction bidding starts.
  • Find a few vehicles that you are interested in and try not to focus on only one so that you can have other options.
  • Use your phone and an internet connection to research the VIN (vehicle identification number) of the cars you are interested in bidding on so that you may know if there is any history of wrecks or a salvaged title(this will be announced by the auctioneer, but is very rare)
  • It is ok to not find anything your first visit, most auctions are held weekly so you can easily come back and see more cars for auction next time.

How to Buy a Car From an Auction Without a Dealer License

Do not worry about having an “auction license” because there are public car auctions that will allow anyone to buy or sell a car. Many of these auctions now have online bidding so you can easily browse online auctions from your phone or computer.

Buying car at auction prices is easier now than ever. Find a car auction website below with more information and photos of auction cars for sale.

Auction cars usually come from bank repos, title pawn repos, car dealer trade-ins, donation cars, police and government auctions, and more. Some auctions will also have cars for sale by private owners, but most of the auction cars come from banks and used car dealers.

These are the best car auction sites listed by state that hold free car auctions to the public. If you’re looking for how to find car auctions, use the links below to find one in your state.

VIDEO: My Pro Tips for Public Car Auction Beginners

I made this very quick video to show you the most important things to remember and what to avoid when bidding in a local auto auction for the public:

impounded cars for sale at Chappelle's Towing Auction
This should help you see what types of vehicles to expect and their conditions at Chappelle’s Towing Auction.

Last updated on February 9th, 2025 at 02:45 am

I’m Greg Smokes, the owner and editor of Car Auction Network, where I focus on local and online car auctions open to the public. With years of experience in the automotive industry, I provide practical tips and insights to help you navigate the auction process. Whether you’re just starting out or have some experience under your belt, I’m here to help you find great deals and make the most of your auction experience.

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