| At first sight one might think that government | | | | They can be on a monthly schedule, or quarterly, |
| car auctions are unbelievable. Is it possible to get | | | | or annual. They can or cannot be listed in the local |
| a car that appears to be new for the low price of | | | | newspaper. You can find most any type of car at |
| $200? The answer is yes. Property confiscated or | | | | one of these government car auctions; from |
| unclaimed is usually auctioned off by City, State | | | | SUVs to coupes, vans, sedans and convertibles. If |
| and Federal agencies. Attending one of these | | | | you plan to attend one of these auctions and bid, |
| auctions you can walk out an owner of a new | | | | you must be 18 or older with a valid drivers' |
| house, car, boat, work equipment or land. And if | | | | license. Some auctions require you to be a car |
| you're keen you can achieve these items at a | | | | dealer, but most don't. |
| steal. | | | | Most of the time, with the right government car |
| The biggest of government car auctions are held | | | | auctions, you get a 'preview' period. This can be |
| by the GSA, or the 'General Services | | | | two to three days for you to look the cars over |
| Administration'. Outside of them are the U.S. | | | | and see what peaks your interest. You can |
| Marshalls, or Department of Treasury, Border | | | | inspect the cars, but you probably aren't going to |
| Patrol, the IRS, the FBI, the DEA and local state | | | | get to test drive them. Mostly you are just |
| and county governments; anyone who seizes | | | | allowed to start them up and look them over. |
| property in accordance with the law. The DOT | | | | You shouldn't encounter any buyer's fees unless |
| along with your city and stat police hold | | | | the auction is held by a professional auction |
| government car auctions all the time. They are | | | | company. |
| referred to as 'police impound auctions'. | | | | This has been the short version of government |
| A lot of the government car auctions don't | | | | car auctions. Be prepared to run into some stiff |
| necessarily come from seizures but from surplus. | | | | competition especially if you've got your eye on a |
| You'll hear them referred to as 'government | | | | good looking car that seems to be in good |
| surplus auctions', and they not only sell cars, but | | | | condition. There will be plenty of bidders with their |
| things like computers, furniture, forklifts, | | | | eye on it too. Sometimes it's best to bid on one |
| equipment, and many other things. Banks will | | | | that doesn't look so good but that you know |
| often have auctions to sell cars that they've had | | | | from experience should run good and are reliable |
| to repossess. These are your 'Repo car auctions'. | | | | and durable. Don't get discouraged if you lose on a |
| Most of the time when you hear of these | | | | few bids. It's part of the fun and the learning |
| auctions, they are actually handled by a private | | | | experience. Be prepared to bid on more than one |
| auction company that's under contract. | | | | vehicle if they have that many you like. These |
| The majority of government car auctions are | | | | government car auctions really can be a way to |
| held regularly in different areas of the country. | | | | get a great deal on a good car. |