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tow and police auctions in Illinois

My Expert Advice on Local Used Car Auctions in Illinois & Online Auto Auctions

Greg Smokes here, owner and editor of Police Auctions USA, and I’ve put together this list of Illinois police auctions and regular wholesale car auctions that I think are worth checking out. These are the real deal, with solid reputations built up over years – some for decades.

Keep in mind that the cars and trucks available at these Illinois auto auctions change all the time, so you’ll want to check back often for new inventory. You’ll find a bunch of these auctions in the Chicago area, but there are plenty scattered throughout the state, too.

Not every auction house posts its inventory online. For the ones that do, new vehicles are added all the time, so make sure to check back frequently. Most car auctions in Illinois are open to the public, unless they specifically say “Dealers-Only.”

One last thing: Always contact the auction you’re interested in before heading over. You’ll want to confirm what you need to bring to bid and how you can pay if you win.

Police and Tow Auctions

Police Car Auctions in Illinois with Links & Info
This example shows what you can expect from Chicago surplus vehicle and police car auctions online. They are open to the public with no special license needed.

City of Chicago – Surplus Vehicle Auctions (City of Chicago Surplus Auction Yard – 10101 S. Stony Island Ave Chicago, IL 60617) – My Tip: Check out their full inventory, including past auctions, here on PropertyRoom.com

Police Car Auctions in Illinois with Links & Info
As you can see, they offer photos and details of the impounded vehicles for sale before the auction starts. Also, pay attention to if it has a key or not. Most will not, so prepare to pay for a tow before you can let a locksmith work on it for you.

E & R Towing Online Impound Auctions – Chicago (16325 S. Crawford Ave. Markham, IL 60428) – My Tip: They have two auction locations in Chicago, one on the North side and another on the South side. I have bid in the south one, but I do not recommend auto pound auctions to beginners. You gotta know a bit about cars first.

Police Car Auctions in Illinois with Links & Info
The public can bid on drug-seized vehicles at Clinton Auto Auction via t Illinois State Police Asses Forfeiture.


Clinton Auto Auction – Drug Seized Vehicles – Open to the public with all sorts of drug-seized cars and trucks available regularly. Clinton car auction in Illinois is a bit old school, but to be honest, that’s the way I like my auctions. It’s nice little independent auction with a wonderful staff that is eager to help you out.

Police Car Auctions in Illinois with Links & Info
Obenauf Auctions in Illinois is the “top dog” for police car auctions in Illinois. They have all sorts of retired police vehicles, drug seizures, equipment, tools, and whatever else you can think of.

Obenauf Auction Services – Online Government Surplus Auctions – This one is my favorite for surplus vehicles and police car auctions in Illinois because they have TONS of inventory from all sorts of departments and law enforcement agencies around the state. It’s open to the public and you can easily view their inventories online via their website.

Police Car Auctions in Illinois with Links & Info
As you can see here, the site is a bit old-school, but the deals on used police cars are juicy. Bidding is entirely online and it is open to the public.

Surplus Property – State of Illinois – State surplus property and law enforcement property – CMS Federal & State Surplus Property Division

1924 South 10 1/2 Street Springfield, IL 62703

My Tip: Most of the State of Illinois’ surplus vehicles are available here: https://ibid.illinois.gov/browse.php?id=641


 
Municipal Surplus Vehicle & Equipment Auctions (Live NWMC Surplus Vehicle and Equipment auctions will be held at Americas Auto Auction Chicago in Crestwood – 14001 South Karlov Avenue Crestwood, Illinois 60554 – Check back for future auction announcements)


Surplus Equipment and Materials – City of Chicago – Chicago Surplus Equipment and Materials Online Auctions – Open to the Public

Wholesale Used Car Auctions in Illinois

The following list are more typical public and dealer car auctions in Illinois that we recommend — especially to first-time auction bidders.

In my experience, they will stock a lot more used cars for sale, but they are not just from police seizures and tow impounds. They may also come from local car dealers as trade-ins and bank repos.


 
Waukegan Auto Auction (Chicago & Milwaukee) – Auction cars starting at $500 to the public
 
America’s Auto Auction – Chicago (Dealers Only Auction)
 
Greater Rockford Auto Auction (Dealers-Only)
 
Crestwood Auto Auction Crestwood, IL 60418
 
Morton Auto Auction (Dealers-Only)
 
First Marshall Auto Auction Harvey, IL 60426
 
Marion Auto Auction – 50+ auction cars for sale and there is no buyer’s fee

I’ve always said that Illinois is a hotbed for used car deals. You’ve got your standard dealer auctions, plus police auctions, and they’re spread all over the state.

With major highways like I-55 and I-90 connecting the big cities like Chicago and Springfield, it’s easy to travel between sales and find the best deals. I like that I can make a road trip out of it – check out the Willis Tower or cruise on Route 66.

If you’re looking in the busy Chicago area or somewhere quieter along the Mississippi River, there’s sure to be a car auction nearby.

click here to read our online police auction sites guide

Find police car auctions near you in all 50 states:

Info & Links on Police Car Auctions in the US
Bidding in Police Auctions Online – How-To Guide
Greg Smokes
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Last updated on January 24th, 2025 at 07:43 am