Government Auto Auctions: Get Away With A Bid Theft

Approximately 300 government auto auctions are held each year in the United States and Puerto Rico. Government surplus and seized cars and other vehicles are sold through Internet auctions, live auctions, sealed-bid auctions, negotiated price, fixed price, and direct sales. Accepted forms of payment include cash, credit card, cashier’s check, or money order. Anyone who is a licensed driver and at least 18 years of age is eligible to bid at government auto auctions. Registration to participate in any Government Vehicle Auction is free.

On October 26, 2005 in Del Rio, Texas, a government seized the 2000 Mitsubishi Galant that was sold at a government auto auction for $ 900. A 2001 Ford E-350 pickup truck was sold at a government auto auction for $ 1,800 on October 8, 2005 in Laredo, TX. A bidder at a government auto auction in Nogales, Arizona, purchased a 2005 Chevy Astro with less than 21,000 miles for $ 4,000 on November 10, 2005.

The General Services Administration of the United States Government will auction approximately 35,000 surplus cars and trucks next year. GSA Fleet auctions surplus cars, trucks and other vehicles with little mileage and only one previous owner. The public can purchase undamaged federal government vehicles with significant savings. These vehicles have been well maintained. Vehicles are carefully detailed prior to auction and come loaded with most of the options that consumers prefer.

The US Marshals Service offers cars and other vehicles for auction to the public that have been impounded by federal law enforcement agencies. More than 14,000 seized auto and property items are sold annually with gross sales of $ 200 million. The proceeds are used for law enforcement activities and to restore fraud victims.

Government car auctions are quite different from traditional used car sales. If you know how to bid to buy, you could walk away with a steal of a deal.