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Seized Vehicle Auction

Find deals on a variety of vehicles at a seized vehicle auction

By Kelly Wright
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.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

  • 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.

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