If you are considering purchasing your next personal or business vehicle from a seized vehicle auction, make sure that you brush up on the rules and regulations before you go. You don't want to look inexperienced, and you don't want to get caught unprepared after the auction has already happened.

Many seized car auction sites will not allow you near the vehicle, let alone look under the hood or to test drive it. All vehicles are sold as is. Payment is due that day, and you are required to have the vehicle towed because you will have no title or insurance on the vehicle. There are many other fine details and information that you don't want to overlook, so brushing up on federal, state and county rules and regulations will help you prior to your arrival.

To find out more about seized vehicle auction laws and regulations:

1. Start at a federal level to find seized car for auction rules and regulations.

2. Progress down to state level of seized auto auction rule and stipulation information.

3. Move on to county seized car auctions information.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out about the seized auto auction scene at a national level

Learn about the government seized car auction scene that is taking place at a national level. Find out how the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Department of Treasury are both having seized car auctions that you can take advantage of.

I recommend: Find out information about the United States Marshals Service asset forfeiture program. Learn how it came to be, what laws and regulations are related to it, and who helps sell the seized merchandise. Check out the terms of sale for Department of the Treasury auctions.

Find out what the seized vehicle auction laws and regulations are at a state level

See what police seized car auction rules and stipulations are in your state before attending one of their next state sponsored government seized vehicle auctions.

I recommend: Learn about asset forfeiture at a state level in Tennessee from the Tennessee Department of Safety. The site discusses their Asset Forfeiture Statute T.C.A. 40-33-201 et seq. and how property such as seized vehicles are taken by the state. These vehicles taken are then sent to public auction, put into service by the state or returned to the claimant depending on the situation. Find out what is required to purchase a vehicle at a government seized vehicle auction in the state of Alaska. Obtaining the title for a vehicle under a court order or seizure will be the trickiest part, so knowing what to expect when you head to the Department of Motor Vehicles is key.

Find a seized car for auction in your county

Go your next seized auto auction by on that is being hosted at a county level. Find out before you go what their rules and regulations are before you walk in expecting to drive off in one of their seized vehicles.

I recommend: See county regulation like that of Fairfax County, Virgina, regarding seized vehicle auction procedure. In their county, for example, a potential buyer cannot drive the vehicle before the auction, nor can you look under the hood. The vehicle is sold as is, and you are given no warranties or refunds. Also, as the winner of a car, because you don't yet have insurance on it yet, you will have to have it towed to your location. You must also take possession of it immediately. Read the terms and conditions as posted by Suffolk County Police Department in Westhampton, New York.

A seized vehicle auction is a great place to find cars, trucks, boats and more at bargain-basement prices. Local, state and federal governments seize vehicles for a number of reasons, and those vehicles are regularly made available for public bidding.

Most people don't consider seized vehicle auctions when looking for a new car. That's good news for you, because it minimizes the competition. However, your fellow bidders are an educated group. Familiarize yourself with the bidding process before the auction starts, and don't let bidding fever carry you away.

There are a few different types of seized vehicle auctions to consider:

1. At a US government seized auto auction, you'll find every kind of vehicle you can imagine, including small aircraft and construction equipment.

2. State and local vehicle auctions, including police auctions, hold great deals on seized cars, trucks and motorcycles.

3. Many seized vehicles are auctioned online eBay-style, so you can buy a seized auto from the comfort of your office chair.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Explore US government seized vehicle auctions

The US government seizes countless vehicles each year, and it's in the government's best interests to turn those vehicles around for a profit as quickly as possible. At US government auctions, you'll find all manner of vehicles (and other seized property) for sale.

I recommend: At USA.gov, you can find cars, boats and even planes for sale at online and offline auctions. GSA Auctions lists government auctions for seized and forfeited automobiles, motorcycles, agricultural equipment and more.

Attend state and local seized auto auctions in your area to find cars and trucks

Look for a police seized car auction; they take place regularly in many communities. Your local law-enforcement office can tell you when their seized vehicles will hit the auction block.

I recommend: The New York Police Department lists upcoming unclaimed property auctions for seized vehicles on their website. You can find upcoming automobile auctions around the country in the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association's directory of state auto auctions.

Check out online seized vehicle auctions

Seized vehicle auctions are often carried out online. The upside to this is that you can quickly evaluate multiple auctions and do your bidding without ever leaving the office. The drawback is that you can't inspect the vehicles in person. Find out as much as you can about the vehicles offered in online auctions. You don't want to be stuck with a nasty case of buyer's remorse.

I recommend: Gov-Auctions.org lets you search online seized-vehicle auctions by car make. AutoBeyond helps you find government seized car auctions, and they have information about which auctions are the best for bidders.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember that a seized car for auction is usually offered as-is, with no warranty. Find out as much as you can about the vehicle you have your eye on before you start bidding.

If you're interested in seized automobile auctions from the government, you'll want to understand a few of the associated words. This will help you to know what you're getting in to. You can get a good deal at a government auction, especially when there is no reserve price, but you need to be aware that all goods are sold in as-is condition. Buyer beware. Start with the following terms and you'll be well on your way to seized auction success.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Sealed bid vs. live auction

In a sealed bid auction, bidders place their bid in an envelope. The envelopes are then opened and the highest big wins. This does not offer the best deals because you don't know what others are bidding and simply have to go with the highest you are willing to spend. A live auction is the more traditional style, where bidders bid in person and compete with each other.

I recommend: Learn more about sealed bid and live auctions at Tranzon.

Reserve price

The reserve price is the lowest amount that the seller will accept for a product. If the reserve is not met in the bidding, the seller is not obligated to sell the item. This is a measure to protect the seller from being forced to sell a high priced item at a low price.

I recommend: Auctus Development, Inc. describes a reserve price in addition to other auction terms.

As-is

Seized vehicles are sold in as-is condition. This means that the buyer is not assured that the vehicle is in good working condition. There could be significant mechanical damage. This is a risk that one takes for the low cost of cars at government auctions.

I recommend: Learn more about what as-is condition means from the Lemon Law Center.

Asset Forfeiture Program

The Asset Forfeiture Program is the program that seizes assets in the case of a crime. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice.

I recommend: Visit the U.S. Department of Justice to learn more about the program.

Online auctions for seized vehicles

Not all seized vehicle auctions take the traditional live format. It's also popular to hold auctions online.

I recommend: PoliceAuctions.com offers auctions of seized vehicles and other goods.

U.S. Marshals Service

The U.S. Marshals Service is an official source of information about seized vehicle auctions. This is one of the best starting points if you are interested in purchasing a vehicle at a government auction.

I recommend: Visit the U.S. Marshals Service website to learn about upcoming sales.