My Advice on How to Bid on Police Impound Cars for Sale at Public Online Police Auctions
Hello, I am Greg Smokes, owner of the Car Auction Network blog, and I hope to help you learn about local police car auctions near you, including online police auctions open to the public.
Police auctions and tow impound auctions are often open to the public and feature vehicles for sale at very low prices relative to their retail value at a car lot. They rarely require any special type of license in order to bid on vehicles for sale. Click here to view a list of police auctions in your state.
I often notice that these types of car auctions are held less frequently and have smaller inventories than the more typical type of public and dealer auto auctions. They make up for it by selling cars and trucks for great prices, if you know what to look for.
Police and abandoned car auctions move a lot faster than other auctions and the cars for sale can range from literal junk to a late-model gem of a used car.
Find Police and Tow Impound Auctions Here: Police Auctions USA Directory of Police Car Auctions
Something to consider with police auctions is they often require you to remove the auction car that you purchase from the premises immediately – even if it does not run and drive. You can also expect some delay in order for them to process the title, so it is not likely you’ll receive it the day of the sale.
The abandoned and seized cars for sale at police auctions come from: drug seized vehicles, asset forfeitures, abandoned vehicles, government surplus vehicles, and other types of impounded cars, trucks, and SUVs. Impounded cars for sale are high risk, so it is important to know a decent amount about cars.
Some people see “police car auctions” and think that they are auctioning off actual former police vehicles. While this is sometimes the case, used police cars(Police Auctions USA Used Police Car Guide) are less common than typical cars that were impounded or seized.
The government vehicles that are auctioned are usually vans and trucks used in their fleets. In my experience, they are often well-maintained, but are also base models with few options.
I suggest police auctions and tow auctions only to those that already have prior experience with car auctions, as well as being proficient in automotive mechanical knowledge.
My Tips for Bidding on Police Auction Cars Online
My Advice to You: Police auctions and government auctions tend to move a bit faster than most public auto auctions. They are better suited for bidders that have some previous auction experience. If not, don’t worry, but be sure to ask questions along the process.
Also, do not expect to be able to test drive anything. Some auctions only allow minimal inspection prior to when the bidding starts. However, despite these caveats, the low bidding prices of the vehicles during auction are usually still worth it.
Having a decent amount of mechanical knowledge, and also some experience with bodywork, will greatly help you at a police auction buy a decent car for a lot less than what it is worth.
Find Police and Tow Impound Auctions Here: Police Auctions USA Directory of Police Car Auctions
Comparison: Police Car Auctions vs Tow Impound Car Auctions
Similar to police auctions, these tow company impound auctions will offer low priced used cars for sale from abandoned vehicles, impounded cars and trucks, etc. They also often operate online and the rules are similar in that you are expected to pay for the winning bid and remove the auction car ASAP.
As well as being online, some of these auctions also offer in-person viewing of vehicles before bidding. Payment methods usually include cash, credit card, or certified checks, and you’ll need to take care of any necessary paperwork promptly.
FAQ About Police Auctions
Do I need any special type of license to bid in police auctions?
No, a dealer’s license or anything like that is not typically required as they are open to the public.
Can I test drive a car at a police auction?
No, it is highly unlikely that they will allow any sort of test driving. It’s best to have some knowledge of repairing cars and body work to help you determine the value of a car at a police auction
What form of payment are accepted at police car auctions?
As usual, cash is preferred. However, some police auctions online will allow you to pay with a card for a small fee. Auctions very rarely take personal checks, but I always know it never hurts to ask.
How often are the auctions held?
This varies by location, but police auctions are typically held once a month up to once every few months.
What type of cars are for sale at police auctions?
This is the best part, because you never know what you will get. They are often drug seizure vehicles, abandoned vehicles, and also they will occasionally auction off their own used police cars when they upgrade their existing fleet.
I often see everything you can imagine, from cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, boats, tractors, equipment / heavy equipment, office supplies, jewelry, etc. etc.
Not all seizures are drug related. These police auction cars for sale will also often come from white collar criminals, including their businesses’ fleets and equipment.
Are any of the police car auctions held online?
These days, I see more and more police impound auctions are online. Some accept bids both in-person and online, but more locations are switching to an online-only format to auction their cars.
Last updated on December 18th, 2024 at 10:00 am
