How do police auto auctions work?

I hit municipal auctions all the time. You can find some really cool stuff there. I have an old fire truck and I'm always looking for equipment for it. In terms of old police cars, there are a lot of things to consider. Around this area some of the low end cab companies show up and usually pay pretty fair prices for some of the patrol cars being auctioned. If you're looking to buy one consider the agency selling and how they use their vehicles. If a city agency is selling the milage probably does not reflect the actual wear on the car. Rememeber there is a lot of idling on these vehicles. Also does just one person drive the car and take it home with them or does it get used on multiple or all shifts. A take home car is going to be in better shape as a general rule. Cars that were slick tops or unmarked will have less damage due to equipment installation and uninstallation. A car with low milage may mean it has a problem that the selling agency doesn't think is worth fixing. Siezed ...  more

I hit municipal auctions all the time. You can find some really cool stuff there. I have an old fire truck and I'm always looking for equipment for it. In terms of old police cars, there are a lot of things to consider. Around this area some of the low end cab companies show up and usually pay pretty fair prices for some of the patrol cars being auctioned. If you're looking to buy one consider the agency selling and how they use their vehicles. If a city agency is selling the milage probably does not reflect the actual wear on the car. Rememeber there is a lot of idling on these vehicles. Also does just one person drive the car and take it home with them or does it get used on multiple or all shifts. A take home car is going to be in better shape as a general rule. Cars that were slick tops or unmarked will have less damage due to equipment installation and uninstallation. A car with low milage may mean it has a problem that the selling agency doesn't think is worth fixing.  more