The Best Police Car Auctions Online for 2024
When you’re in the market for a used car, police car auctions online and in-person can be a great place to find a deal. Police auctions typically sell seized cars and sometimes offer ex-police vehicles for sale. Since state or federal government agencies run them, you’re buying a legitimate car.
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Zach Fagiano
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Zach Fagiano has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, specializing in property and casualty and risk management consulting. He started out specializing in small businesses and moved up to large commercial real estate risks. During that time, he acquired property & casualty, life & health, and surplus lines brokers licenses. He’s now the Senior Vice President overseeing globa...
Insurance & Finance Analyst
UPDATED: Jan 11, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 11, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Police seize cars and other property for a variety of reasons, though most cars are impounded because the driver committed a serious traffic violation
- When impounded cars aren’t claimed or paid for, they become state property and are sold in police auctions
- You can participate in police auctions either online or in-person
- Cars in police auctions are often sold for highly discounted prices, especially if only one person bids on them
Every year, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies claim thousands of items from various sources. Usually, police seize property because they believe it’s connected with a crime.
There are many reasons an owner might lose possession of their car. When a vehicle (or any other property) falls into police possession, they can legally sell it.
Police auctions are a great place to find a good deal on cars and anything else they sell. Cars found in a police auction have to meet state standards for safety, which means you can be confident you’re buying a working vehicle.
In fact, many cars from police auctions still have warranties. And, since these cars have passed safety inspections, your new vehicle won’t negatively affect your car insurance rates.
If you’re interested in finding police car auctions online, you can start with the resources below. Then, enter your ZIP code into our free tool to see what insurance rates for your new car might look like for you.
What are police car auctions?
Every year, police seize thousands of cars and store them in impound lots. Most commonly, police take cars after drivers have committed severe traffic offenses, such as:
- Reckless driving
- Evading police
- Driving an unregistered car
- Driving without insurance
- Organizing or participating in drag racing
- Driving with a suspended license
- Driving without a license
- The vehicle was involved in a crime
- The car is a piece of evidence
Losing your car is just another reason to avoid committing a serious traffic violation. Not only can you lose your car, but you might also be arrested, you’ll face fees, and your insurance might classify you as a high-risk driver, meaning you’ll pay more for coverage.
The driver has to pay a fee to get an impounded car back. If the owner never pays to remove their vehicle from the impound lot, it will go to auction. Police sell cars from impound lots to help finance their departments and clear out their lots.
When you purchase a car (or anything else) from an auction, it’s legally yours. The previous owner has no right to it, even if they want it back.
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How do I find a police car auctions near me?
There are two ways to participate in police auctions: in-person or online. Each type has pros and cons, but you can find great deals on cars at both.
In-person police auctions usually take an entire day, but you have the advantage of inspecting cars for sale before buying them. While you won’t be able to take them for a test drive, you can examine them for physical damage, loose wires, rust, and the cleanliness of the interior.
If you’re wondering, “Where are police vehicles for sale near me?” you can check with your local police department. Some have information about their next auction online, while others require a phone call.
Online Police Auctions
Online auctions are much more accessible, and you can bid from the comfort of your couch. Make sure you watch your bid as the time runs out, so you don’t lose it to last-minute bidders.
If you win an auction, you’ll need to complete some paperwork, secure payment, and pick up your car. Some police auctions offer delivery, but you’ll be charged extra for that.
The downside to online auctions is that you can’t physically inspect the car before buying it. Auction cars are sold as-is, so you’ll potentially have repairs to handle after you buy them.
Visit your local county, city, or police department website to find a schedule for upcoming auctions in 2022.
Third-Party Online Police Auctions
While most police auctions are run by the departments, you can find online auctions sites that combine inventory from across the country.
These third-party sites either buy inventory directly from the police or agree to host the auction for a fee. Third-party sites can be valuable tools for police departments because it frees them from having to run the auction. Police also gain a much broader customer base.
Consider the following sites if you’re interested in cross-country auctions:
- GovDeals
- PropertyRoom
- PublicSurplus
- HiBid
Whether you buy from a third-party dealer or directly from the police, your car will be legally yours.
Read more:
Can you sell a car you bought at a police auction?
When you buy a car from a police auction, it’s yours. You can do whatever you like with it, which includes selling it.
In fact, buying cars and other items from police auctions is how some people cushion their income. Not only can it help you make money, but it can also be a fun hobby.
When you want to sell a car you’ve bought at auction, you should start by checking its value. A reliable place to check value is through Kelley Blue Book, which offers detailed information about the value of any car.
Selling a car you bought at auction works the same way as selling any other vehicle. You can advertise it, answer potential buyers’ questions, maybe let them take it for a test drive, then transfer the title after they’ve paid for it.
Are there ex-police vehicles for sale?
Less interested in buying seized vehicles but still looking for a good deal? You might be wondering, “Where can I find old police cars for sale near me?” or “Where can I find used police vehicles for sale near me?”
The good news is that you can buy retired police cars at significantly reduced prices.
Police cars are retired after reaching either a specific age or number of miles. Departments sell old vehicles in good shape to the public to help fund the next generation of police cars.
Just like seized vehicles, you can find retired police car auctions. Since police officers need reliable, well-performing cars, you can rest assured that you’ll be getting a good vehicle. Retired police cars generally have higher safety ratings, and they’ve probably been maintained better than most used cars.
You don’t have to worry about anything left over in the back seat from when it was a work car, either. Police replace the back seat with a hard-wearing vinyl replacement. They put the original seat back in when the vehicle is ready to move on.
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Get the Best Insurance for Your New Car
Visiting an online auction site when you have money to spend can be thrilling, especially when you place the winning bid. You can find a great deal on a car at police auctions, which will help offset the cost of registration and any repairs it might need.
Police car auctions online are a great way to find an inexpensive vehicle. If you need insurance at a price to match that deal, enter your ZIP code into our free tool to see what quotes might look like for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are online police car auctions?
Online police car auctions are platforms or websites where law enforcement agencies sell used vehicles, including police cars, to the public through an online bidding process.
How do online police car auctions work?
Online police car auctions typically involve registering on a specific auction website, browsing available vehicles, placing bids on desired cars, and participating in the bidding process until the auction ends. The highest bidder at the end of the auction period wins the vehicle.
What are the advantages of participating in online police car auctions?
- Lower prices: Police car auctions often offer vehicles at discounted prices compared to traditional car dealerships.
- Wide selection: These auctions provide a variety of vehicles, including police cars with specialized features, at times offering a larger selection than regular used car dealerships.
- Convenience: Online auctions allow participants to bid and purchase vehicles from the comfort of their own homes, eliminating the need to travel to physical auction locations.
Are there any drawbacks to online police car auctions?
- Limited inspection opportunities: Bidders may not have the opportunity to inspect the vehicles thoroughly before bidding, increasing the risk of purchasing a car with hidden issues.
- Competition: Popular auctions can attract numerous bidders, leading to increased competition and potentially driving up the final price.
- Limited warranty: Vehicles purchased at police car auctions are typically sold “as-is,” meaning there is no warranty or guarantee provided by the seller.
How can I find online police car auctions in 2023?
To find online police car auctions in 2023, you can search for reputable auction websites that specialize in police vehicle sales. Conducting an online search using keywords like “online police car auctions 2023” or “police vehicle auctions” can help you discover relevant platforms.
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Zach Fagiano
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Zach Fagiano has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, specializing in property and casualty and risk management consulting. He started out specializing in small businesses and moved up to large commercial real estate risks. During that time, he acquired property & casualty, life & health, and surplus lines brokers licenses. He’s now the Senior Vice President overseeing globa...
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.