Buying at Police Seized Car Auctions
Are you thinking about buying at a police seized car auction? This article is designed to provide you with the details on how police car auctions work and how they can get you the best deal on car. Specifics may vary from auction to auction; however, the following information includes helpful and important guidelines from which everyone can benefit.
Police car auctions are one of the best places to pick up a used car. Many people think that the only vehicles available at police car auctions are actual police cars. Well, they're right - but only partially! In addition to surplus vehicles that have been used by the local police department, police car auctions may also feature cars that have been seized due to asset forfeiture.
Asset forfeiture is the confiscation of assets (by the police department) that have been associated with a crime. The assets can be vehicles, real estate or currency. A federal law, passed in 1986, encourages police agencies to seize assets as a way to deny drug traffickers their profits.
What does this mean for you? Well, eventually these seized vehicles end up at a police seized car auction, where you can pick up a nice used car for much less than you would a private party or a dealer! The auctioneer sells the car to the highest bidder and the proceeds go to the police agency.
Police seized auto auctions take place in cities across the United States. Some are held on a regular basis, as big city police departments seize many vehicles; others are held less frequently in the case of smaller police agencies. In some states, cities or counties will collect all police seized vehicles and have one large annual auction.
Regardless of the frequency of the police auto auction, you can usually find the event in the local newspaper or published on an online auction site that works with the police departments in your area. The advertisement or listing will give the date, time and place of the auction as well as a list of the cars that will be auctioned off. They may also give a date in which interested parties are invited to inspect the cars so that they can make decisions about what to buy and how much to spend.
Inspecting cars being sold at a police seized car auction is a must! Cars sold at police seized auctions are sold "As-Is" with no warranty or guarantee. In an "As-Is" auction, there is no warranty on the merchandise and the bidder is responsible for removal from the auction location. This means that the bidder must rely on their own inspection and knowledge to make bidding decisions.
In addition, even though the car was seized by a police department, the original financing company may still have a lien on the car. When you buy a car at a police seized auction, you may have to make arrangements to pay off the finance company. You can find out what the protocol is ahead of time by checking directly with the auction company.
If you're in the market for a good deal on a used car, it's definitely worth your time to see what's available at your next police seized car auction.
Related Tags: auction, car auction, auto auction, truck auction, motorcycle auction, rv auction, auction house
Deb Weidenhamer is President of Auction Systems, the Southwest's most active auction and appraisal company. Check out our website for the next scheduled police seized car auction or call 800-801-8880 for more information.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Improve the Value of Your Truck With a Truck Bed Cover
If you are a truck owner and are looking for a way to increase the value and also protect your inves - An Overview of Emergency Road Services
Anyone that owns a vehicle definitely understands that there are truly countless facets of driving a - Buying From Car and Truck Auctions in Canada
Buying a vehicle from an auction can be a good way to pick up a bargain as long as you know what you - 2011 Green Car Of The Year- Who's In It To Win It!
The Green Car of the Year award is a program designed by Green Car Jouranl to recognize and honor ve - Honda's 2010 Odyssey is Efficient, Practical and Convenient
If you are looking for a minivan that has a seating capacity of up to eight persons and handles almo - Greener Trucks For Delivery Work
Green' is a word you'll hear a lot when it comes to transportation, from bicycles to buses - but you - The Courier and Haute Couture
Some jobs just ooze opportunity to flaunt yourself and show off your latest togs but sadly that's ra - All-New 2011 Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has been a continuous leader for years in the family midsize sedan class by being a - The Various Benefits Of Summer Tires
As you probably know , different tires are optimized for different conditions. Not only that, someth - A Couple of Tips on Buying a Used Cars in Toronto
If your old car has finally kicked the bucket and you need to get yourself a new mode of transport t
Most viewed articles in this category:
- How to Remove Window Tint
Applying tinting film to car or household windows may be fun, but removing it can be tricky if yo - Transporting Your Car
If you are relocating to another state or another country for employment or family reasons, you may - Choosing The Right Sticker For The Motorcycle Helmet
When people decide to buy a motorcycle, the dealer will usually throw in a helmet. This is because s - Suzuki's 2007 Xl7, “wave” Grand Vitara Debuts at the 2007 Scias
In the news: American Suzuki Motor Corporation has presented its array of cars and SUVs at the 2007 - Nissan Skyline GTR: A Racer That Is Affordable
If you've ever eyed a Porsche 911 or a Ferrari Testarossa, but thought the price was too steep, the - How To Buy Cheap Cars
There are a number of seized car auctions held in various places every month or at least quarterly. - Federal Agencies Expands Hybrid Fleet
Three federal agencies in Kansas recently added hybrid vehicles to their fleet. The hybrid vehicles - New Cars, New Gadgets Presented at the 2007 Naias
The 2007 North American International Auto Show has become an event of glamour, fashion and technolo - Aura Green Line Added to 3 Federal Fleets in Kansas
Three Kansas City area federal agencies added Monday the new 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid vehi - Top Vehicles by Autoweek Editors Honored at 2007 Naias
Everybody has favorites. Bill may like Ford cars. Susan may be attracted much by the power of pi