How to Buy Seized Cars for Sale

Co-authored by Bryan Hamby

Last Updated: December 3, 2021 References

Thousands of cars are seized by banks, the government, and law enforcement agencies every year. Many of these vehicles will be put up for auction. You can buy a seized car for almost 90 percent off its retail value, so they're worth looking into if you're after a bargain.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Finding Seized Cars

1
Search government auction sites. Start at the website https://www.govsales.gov. This website will tell you when an auction is taking place and its location.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Bryan Hamby
Professional Auto Broker
Expert Interview. 11 June 2019.}
- Other good websites include governmentauctions.org and gov-auctions.org. These are privately-run sites that contain information about government auctions.
- You will have to create an account to use the privately-run websites. Many offer free trials, but you will have to pay when your free trial ends.
2
Check other websites. Search “auto auction” and look for websites that have repossessed and seized cars for sale. Not all auto auction websites will. Instead, some specialize in antiques or estate sales. At the website, you should be able to peruse inventory.
- Avoid websites that require you to pay money before you can inspect a vehicle.^{[2]
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3
Search print publications. These magazines often list auctions and seized cars for sale. However, be aware that sometimes the cars advertised aren’t the same as the cars you’ll see at the auction.
- Your local paper should also contain information about upcoming local auctions.
4
Call up the police. Law enforcement might let you check out their cars, so call up and ask. They usually store cars at towing yards, and the police might let you go inspect what stock they have available.
5
Contact lenders directly. Some banks or credit unions will let you look at their file of repossessed vehicles. You’ll be able to inspect a car and then make a bid for it. Lenders usually want to recoup their losses, so you can often get a good deal this way.^{[3]
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Research source} However, you’ll probably pay more than you will at an auction.
6
Find dealers who specialize in repo sales. You can get a great discount from one of these sellers. Search online to find nearby sellers. You can buy a car without the high-pressure auction environment, which should give you more time to research the car.^{[4]
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Research source} Nevertheless, you’ll pay more than you would for a similar car at auction.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Researching Cars

1
Choose cars you are interested in. Bank and auction sites should have a list of cars available. Check if there’s anything offered you are interested in. It’s great to get a car cheap, but there’s no reason to buy a sports car when what you need is a minivan. Identify the types of cars you are in the market for.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Bryan Hamby
Professional Auto Broker
Expert Interview. 11 June 2019.}
2
Figure out why the car is being sold. The difference between these reasons could potentially tell you a little more about the car. Typical reasons include:
- Seized car: This means the car was taken by law enforcement for either too many traffic violations or because it was confiscated in a raid. The car was most likely maintained by the owner before being seized. The IRS and courts tend to seize cars that have a higher value and are of better quality.
- Repossessed car: These cars are seized by lenders who haven’t been receiving payments. Since the former owner couldn’t repay their loan, they probably didn’t pay to maintain the car. These cars tend to be of lower quality.^{[6]
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- Previously-owned government car: These cars were owned by government agencies that no longer need them. Most agencies frequently update their cars, so they tend to be high quality.
3
Inspect the car. You might be able to inspect the car the day of the auction or before. Try to go before. When checking the car, look for new paint, dents, or rust. Each of these could hint at underlying problems.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Bryan Hamby
Professional Auto Broker
Expert Interview. 11 June 2019.}
- Look under the hood if you know what to look for. If you don’t, ask a friend to go with you to see if the engine is in good shape.
- Vehicles are shown in the same condition that they were seized. So don’t be surprised if they are dirty inside.
4
Ask for a car report. Many cars come with CarFax reports to give you the car’s full history, which should include information about prior accidents and repair. If you don’t get a CarFax report, you can run a report yourself using the VIN number. Visit the CarFax website.^{[8]
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5
Understand what you are getting. You might be able to get a car for a great price. However, there are some downsides that you should be aware of before you bid for a car at auction.
- For example, most cars are sold “as is,” meaning that no warranty or guarantee is made about the car.^{[9]
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  Research source} In fact, many cars may be in terrible condition. Check if you can buy a warranty separately.^{[10]
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- You also probably can’t test drive the vehicle, so you really won’t know with certainty what type of car you’re buying.
6
Come up with a maximum price. Decide which vehicles you will bid on, and then come up with the absolute maximum you will bid for the car. If you’re having trouble setting the price, then look at sources such as the NADA guide.
- Also look at eBay to see how much people are paying for auctioned vehicles. Find cars with the same make and model as the cars you want to bid on.^{[11]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Attending the Auction

1
Have payment ready. Generally, you need to have cash on hand or be preapproved for a loan in order to buy a car at auction.^{[12]
X
Expert Source

Bryan Hamby
Professional Auto Broker
Expert Interview. 11 June 2019.} However, some banks will have finance options available if it is a bank auction, so call ahead to check.
- You might also use a credit card, which is safer to carry than cash.^{[13]
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Register in advance.^{[14]
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Research source} Some auctions are open only to dealers, so it’s important to know in advance whether this is an auction you can actually attend.
3
Arrive prepared. You’ll need some way to get the car off the lot. Don’t assume you’ll be able to start it. Many cars sit on the lot for a long time before auction. You may need to bring tools, oil, antifreeze, and an air pressure gauge.
- You may also need to tow the car home, so check if a two truck is nearby. Some auctions might also let you pay to store the car until you can get the car off the lot.
4
Bid sensibly. Remember not to go over your maximum for each car. It’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of an auction, so try to restrain yourself. Ask a friend to come along with you to help keep you in line.
5
Buy your car. If your bid was the highest, congratulations—you’re the new owner! You need to make a deposit immediately after winning.^{[15]
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Research source} The deposit amount will be roughly 10% of the price.
- If you back out of the sale, then you’ll forfeit your deposit.

Expert Q&A

Question

Why would someone want to buy a seized car?

Bryan Hamby
Professional Auto Broker
Bryan Hamby is the owner of Auto Broker Club, a trusted auto brokerage in Los Angeles, California. He founded Auto Broker Club in 2014 out of a passion for cars and a unique talent for customizing the car dealership process to be on the buyer’s side. With 1,400+ deals closed, and a 90% customer retention rate, Bryan’s focus is to simplify the car buying experience through transparency, fair pricing, and world class customer service.

Bryan Hamby

Professional Auto Broker

Expert Answer

A lot of people are looking for very specific vehicles when they go to an auction. Either they can't find a specific model elsewhere, or there's something unique about the car that's attractive to them.
Question

Can anyone go to a fleet auction where a lot of seized cars are being sold?

Bryan Hamby
Professional Auto Broker
Bryan Hamby is the owner of Auto Broker Club, a trusted auto brokerage in Los Angeles, California. He founded Auto Broker Club in 2014 out of a passion for cars and a unique talent for customizing the car dealership process to be on the buyer’s side. With 1,400+ deals closed, and a 90% customer retention rate, Bryan’s focus is to simplify the car buying experience through transparency, fair pricing, and world class customer service.

Bryan Hamby

Professional Auto Broker

Expert Answer

It should say on the flyer or post whether the public is allowed to attend the auction or not. When it comes to fleet auctions, you typically need a license or some kind of credential to attend.
Question

Do I have to have a driver's license to travel in my newly purchased vehicle?

Community Answer

You need a driver's license any time you drive. Depending on the distance and your locality, you will be asked for license and, at minimum, proof of purchase if you are pulled over.