How To Buy A Car
The first step is to find a reputable directory of police auto auctions. The details of the auction are often subject to change so you need accurate information. Police Auctions USA offers the premier directory with exclusive details surrounding the auction. Once an auction is selected, remember to arrive early and view as much as possible. Some auctions require registration simply show identification for a bidding card and number. Once the auction begins, the bidding wars begin. 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.
Buying Cars At Dealer Auctions
Obtaining a dealer license can be a time-consuming and expensive endeavor, but those who do so gain access to a bounty of vehicles that may serve as the basis of a profitable business.
With that said, keep in mind that cars bought at dealer auction are also subject to extra auction fees and transport costs, so that low hammer price isnt entirely accurate. And, while sellers are required to disclose significant issues , that seemingly pristine late-model SUV quickly rolling across the auction block may be hiding a host of costly gremlins.
As with all auction vehicles, it’s best to bid with a buyer beware mentality.
And This Is Not A Marketing Gimmick
This stuff, these valuable items, these once cherished possessions are simply a headache for the police forces. They have to be stored or even warehoused in some cases and this is a sever drain on the system.
In short, the police and authorities just want them gone and are willing to accept what they can get on the day Often these auctions have NO RESERVE!
Any cash they can raise goes into the system coffers so anything raised is a bonus!
GAUK Police Auctions data input team and sophisticated software monitor every Police Auction house and event in our database 24/7, uploading new items daily This really is insider information and available nowhere else and thats a guarantee!
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How Does The Auction Work
Police auctions work pretty much like any other auction. People enter their bids for an item, and it goes to the highest bidder. While you can get great deals this way, keep in mind that the auction price may not reflect how much youll actually have to pay. Most police auctions may tack on a buyers premium , service fee, GST, and other charges bringing up the overall price tag.
How Do Police Auctions Work

Police auctions work in the way most auctions do. For example, an auction will start with a set amount of time for bidding along with a starting bid. As bidders participate the price will increase until there is a high bidder that will win the vehicle.
The high bidder will typically have 24-48 hours after the close of the auction to submit payment for the vehicle or forfeit, along with loosing a deposit if any. If the winner is in another state, that person will need to contact an auto transport company like National Express to get a quote as they would from any auction.
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Do I Need A Dealers License To Flip Cars
This is a common question that gets asked at all of the best auto auctions. In most states, there is a limit to how many cars you can buy and sell in a year. Typically, the maximum is three cars a year, but you want to check your local restrictions.
Some people work around this restriction by having family put the car in their name, but this isnt the professional way to make a living selling cars. It doesnt cost much to start an LLC, get a dealers license and do things legitimately. In fact, this also gives you access to a dealer plate and insurance to cover yourself in case of theft or an accident.
Police Car Auctions Near Me
Are you ready to attend a police car auction? Well, to make your life a little easier, weve decided to list the top police car auctions. Our team scoured the internet for many hours to find you the best, easiest auctions, and to save you precious time.
Here they are! Simply click on the link to the left, and find out more about the police car auctions in your state or city.
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If You’re Looking At An Old Cop Car Check The Hour Meter Instead Of The Odometer
Mileage wont tell you a whole lot about the wear and tear on the car, since the engine is generally running idle every time officers set up camp waiting for some speeder to come along. Police cars have whats called an hour meter, which as the name suggests, tells you exactly how much time the car has spent running.
Important Information To Know As A Bidder
1. Bidders must be prepared to pay for any vehicle they purchase as soon as they make the winning bid.
Vehicles must be paid for in full by 4:45 PM on the Wednesday following the auction. Anyone not prepared to pay immediately, should not bid. Acceptable means of payment include cash, debit card and credit cards. American Express is not accepted. A 3% convenience fee will be added to all credit/debit card transactions.
If the winning bidder has not paid for his/her purchase by 4:45 PM on the Wednesday following the auction, the second highest bidder will be contacted and given the option to purchase the vehicle at his/her bid amount.
2. Auction bidders will be given 72 hours, or by 4:30 PM, following the auction to pick up their purchased vehicles.
Any vehicle not picked up will be forfeited and be placed in the next upcoming auction. NO REFUND will be given to the buyer after the allotted time has expired.
3. Each auctioned vehicle must be paid for in full, prior to the winning bidder removing the vehicle from the premises.
If more than one vehicle is purchased by a particular bidder, ALL vehicles must be paid for prior to ANY of the vehicles being removed from the premises.
4. Auction bidders may pre-register for an auction, beginning one week prior to each scheduled auction, or they may register between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM on the day of the auction.
Preregistration begins on the Wednesday prior to each scheduled auction.
11. A winning bid is considered a contract.
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Applying For A Dealer License
If you want an opportunity to bid against the dealers, youll need a license to buy cars at auction.
First on your to-do list should be a visit to your states Department of Motor Vehicles website, where youll find specific rules and regulations. These vary by state but usually require submitting an application answering questions about you and your business, along with an application fee that can range from fifty to several hundred dollars. You may also need to provide a detailed business plan, a business license, and tax or employer identification numbers necessary to process customer-paid sales tax or employee income taxes.
Unfortunately, the list doesnt stop there, as most states also require proof of insurance for the business and any inventory, a fingerprint card to be used for a background check, as well as a purchase and sale agreement or signed lease for your businesss location. Of course, placement of your dealership must abide by all local zoning laws and, in some instances, meet requirements for square footage, display space, equipped and operational service bays, and signage. A state representative may request an in-person visit to verify youve met all requirements.
Police Seizure And Tow Impound Auctions In Ny And Nj
Impound auctions, surplus auctions, and police auctions are a great way for a patient buyer to get a very good deal on a car. These types of auctions do not typically allow you to much time to look over the vehicles for sale so it is important to at least have some car mechanical knowledge to bid and participate. Police auctions also tend to have smaller inventories and less cars for sale than typical public car auctions.
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The Pros And Cons Of Police Auctions
The primary benefit of these auctions is that you can get a great deal. The police do not want to house the cars they are not going to keep so they will take low offers. The primary downside is that these auctions are usually packed, and you will be competing with a lot of other bidders who are driving up the price.
Another drawback is that you cannot inspect the vehicle as much as you want. Seized vehicles are generally not in the best condition and this can make them expensive in the long-term.
Remember Not All Cop Cars Are Treated Equally

Many cop cars are not actually used for police duty. State and county officials will oftentimes get a vehicle that comes equipped with the police package, but never sees a high-speed pursuit or a donut-intensive patrol. The package comes with a heavy-duty suspension and beefed-up internals and cooling systems — everything you’d need for a high-speed chase or hours spent idling — but these cars don’t receive the everyday abuse that their on-duty siblings experience.
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Where To Find Police Auctions
Police Auctions are not generally run by the Police station or department itself, the auction will be handled by a third party auctioneer in almost all cases. Keep an eye on our Police Auction category for sale highlights as per below
Latest Auction Notices
Notices may also be found in the Saturday edition of the major newspaper in your region and via the commonly used auctioneers below.
These Sales Are Being Held Right Now As You Are Reading
They really can be a bargain hunters heaven. The Police sell a myriad of goods at prices you could have previously dreamed of.
At the Police Auctions website youll find your opportunity to discover where and when these Police Sales happen. Through the auction search engine you will even be able to view the merchandise before you part with a penny.
Register now and happy hunting!
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You’re Gonna Need To Figure Out The History For Yourself
CARFAX can be somewhat valuable, but only if the agency had a dealership or an independent repair facility handle the maintenance needs — and larger cities are less likely to do that. Looking at the pictures online can help you quickly cross out the cars that look like they got into a fight and lost — so long as you’re reasonably sure the photos are of the right car. The remaining cars can all be inspected and verified for their condition by you or a mechanically inclined person. That takes a bit of planning.
How Will Gauk Police Auctions Listings Help Me Locate Police Auctions In The Uk
GAUK Police Auctions is a massive web-based database, featuring Police Auction Lots coming up for bidding, contacts, dates, times, regions, and a wealth of other information designed to help UK bargain hunters find the most fantastic deals on a huge range of goods. This is THE definitive guide to Police Auctions and government agents!
At GAUK Police Auctions you will find all the information our data input teams and proprietary software track down. You will not find much this stuff anywhere else Guaranteed
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Dont Let Those Police Auction Deals Get Away
All over the UK hundreds of little known and unpublicised Police Auctions are taking place at reputable auction venues. Auctioneers are selling a vast range of goods, property and vehicles often UNRESERVED, and even YOU can attend!
These places are often stacked to their rafters with confiscated, seized and lost & found police goods that seem so cheap you would be forgiven for thinking that its just TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.
There is no catch The prices people pay at these events are commonplace Police Auction prices deals some traders who buy at Police Auctions want to keep secret and who can blame them!
Well all thats about to change when you register at GAUK Police Auctions, the whistle has been blown, you are about to get:
- Real time addresses for all the Police Auctions and auctioneers across the country
- Contacts and telephone numbers for auctioneers who hold auctions on behalf of the police
- Dates and times of upcoming police sales
- Inside information about the agents selling stock on behalf of the police
- Council and government police auction information
- Police stolen/recovered and lost and found sales
Yes! GAUK Police Auctions has the most comprehensive lists of auction insider information available anywhere in the country and thats a FACT!!
Remember! GAUK Police Auctions lists probably every auction house in the country who specialise or deal in police seized, lost & found, stolen & recovered items.
Why?
Ten Things You Should Know When Buying Cars At Auction
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How Much Cheaper Are Cars At Dealer Auctions
It depends on the type of auction you attend. If you purchase a car at an informal auction, you will find many vehicles with starting prices as low as $300. Typically, nothing sells for much more than $3,500. These cars are sold by individual owners instead of manufacturers. They tend to be more than five years old and have been purchased to resell.
Many of these cars are repaired or repainted. As an experienced dealer, its easy to find a deal at these auctions, if you know what you are looking for. If you arent careful, you can end up paying too much for a car thats not worth the money.
If you attend a formal auction, the cars move fast and prices start higher. You wont find much selling for less than $3,000 here and the cars are entered by manufacturers, lease hire companies and dealers. Most professional dealers will choose this avenue to purchase vehicles because of their quality.
How Do I Get A License To Buy Cars At Auctions

Pass any used car dealership and, chances are, the majority of the vehicles parked on the lot came from an auction, where the dealer potentially paid relatively little for a car she hopes to resell for a tidy profit. For many of us, bypassing those dealer markups and buying a used car at auction ourselves sounds like a better plan. But, before heading off to the nearest auction with a wad of cash in your pocket, its helpful to understand the different types of car auctions, as well as the rules and requirements associated with each.
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Auto Auction Protocol For Covid
- A viewing of available vehicles will be held the Friday before the auction from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
- Hands must be sanitized before entering the Impound Unit Lobby and Auction Area
- All viewers and bidders on City of Cincinnati property will be required to wear a face covering
- Bid tickets will be issued at 9:00 A.M. on a first come, first serve basis
- All bidders will take direction from the police officer stationed at the entrance to the auction area and from the auctioneer inside the auction area
- If not interested in bidding on a vehicle, participants will be directed to stand and wait on a marker until the bidding begins on the desired vehicle
- Once finished bidding, all bidders must leave the auction area to pay for their purchase or leave the premises