Police Auction Cars: Police Impound Auto Auctions in the United States

Police Auctions

Many of the vehicles bought and sold at police auto auctions are amazing values; they’re often everyday drivers taken directly from the road to the auction block. Some are older cars needing a bit of work while others are nearly new and still under warranty. If you’ve never been to a police auto auction, be sure to read our Police Auctions FAQ

Police auctions for cars are a great way to get a used car for very cheap. Many locations offer police auctions online to the public for easier online bidding. Police auctions for motorcycles are a bit more rare, but you will occasionally see motorcycles listed in addition to cars and trucks, boats, SUVs, RVs, and ATVs. One will occasionally find used police cars for sale at police auctions. Auctions also include government surplus auctions from various federal, state, and local governments.

Choose a state to find police auctions, tow impound auctions, government surplus auctions, and also dealer and public auto auctions:

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Unbelievably Low Prices

Police and government surplus auto auctions offer cars for sale ranging from just a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on the vehicle and the buyers present. The quality of the cars for sale can vary greatly, but that’s what makes these auctions so interesting.

It doesn’t come without a bit of risk; because the impounded cars for sale are not being sold by a dealership or reputable brand, there’s no guarantees, warranties, or service packages that normally come with the purchase of a vehicle.

While most cars to be auctioned are roadworthy, there’s no opportunity for a test drive. To ensure a good buying decision, we suggest that you arrive early and bring a mechanic; for some mechanics, a quick visual inspection is all that’s needed.

Many police car auctions are open to the public again and allow bidding in person. However, there are also many online car auctions that allow viewing and bidding on auction cars online.

How Much Do Police Auction Cars Sell For?

The prices of auction cars at police auctions can vary greatly. The range is large, from under $2000 up to $20k++ for later model cars and boats. The point of a police auction though is that the cars are going to be sold cheap because they want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. That situation is to your advantage, as a car buyer.

Are Police Auctions Open to the Public?

Yes, and there are no special requirements in order to bid in most police auctions in the United States.

When is the Next Police Auction?

Use the list above to select from the best police auction sites in the US. Each auction works on its own schedule and will be updated on the posted link.

Do Police Sell Seized Cars?

Yes, police and sheriff departments auction of seized vehicles in public car auctions.

How to Buy Cars Seized by Police?

Choose a state from above to find police auctions near you in the US.

Bid to Buy a Police Auction Car

We’ve all seen a bidding war or two on television, the tactics are downright entertaining; the stare-downs, the aggressive opening bids, the awkward tension in the air – there’s nothing like it. And after all of that, there’s no sweeter taste than the taste of victory.

Once the winning bid is secured, once the car is purchased, buyers get a euphoric feeling, like they just won the Super Bowl and they’re headed to Disney. Winning a bidding war on an antique is one thing; winning a bidding war for a car, truck, or SUV is something altogether different.

How to Buy Impounded Cars

The details of the auction are often subject to change so you need accurate information. Police Auctions USA strives to offer the latest information on police auctions with details and information specifically on police car auctions. When you decide on an auction location to visit, be sure to contact them first for additional information on eligibility for bidding.

Some auctions require registration; simply show identification for a bidding card and number. There are some auctions so large that dealerships attend and you will be bidding against them but remember: they need the price to be lower than you because they need to turn a profit. Also, if you are willing to perform mechanical and body damage repairs on the cars and trucks you buy, you will be at an advantage when you buy impounded cars.

Payment

Many auctions will require full payment at the time of purchase but others will hold the vehicle with a deposit. Understanding payment information is important so it is recommended to call and understand the details before the date of the auction. Also, keep in mind that the auction will add their own fees and also sales tax.

It is always important to have accurate information before the auction; poor information leads to poor buying decisions.

Police Cruisers for Sale

Some of the vehicles sold at police auto auctions are retired and obsoleted police vehicles. When police departments elect to upgrade the fleet, they send the cars to auction and the winning bids are usually far below the value of the car.

When thinking about the purchase of a police car, some of us will naturally reflect on the memory of Jake & Elwood; the Bluesmobile. It was old, dirty, beaten, and worn but today’s police cars are very different. Many police vehicles have upgraded features such as safety features, performance upgrades, and suspension modifications. They are typically well-maintained and most of them are in decent working order when sent to the auction. However, these old police cruisers often have high mileage on the odometer.