Your Complete Guide to Buying Police Impound Cargo Vans

Are you searching for a great deal on a cargo van for your business or personal project? Police impound auctions can be a fantastic source for finding capable vehicles at a fraction of their retail price. This guide will walk you through exactly how these auctions work and everything you need to consider before placing a bid.

What Are Police Impound Auctions?

When a law enforcement agency seizes or recovers a vehicle, it’s often stored in an impound lot. If the owner doesn’t reclaim the vehicle by paying the necessary fines and fees within a certain period, the police department has the legal right to sell it to recover their costs.

These vehicles end up in the impound lot for several reasons:

  • They were used in the commission of a crime.
  • They were abandoned by their owners.
  • They were towed for excessive parking violations.
  • The driver was arrested for an offense like a DUI.

Unlike government surplus auctions, which typically sell well-maintained but high-mileage fleet vehicles, impound auctions feature vehicles from the general public. This means you can find a huge variety of makes, models, and conditions, from nearly new cargo vans to older models needing significant work. The key is that they are almost always sold “as-is, where-is.”

How to Find and Participate in Impound Auctions

Finding these auctions is the first step. The process is straightforward, but it requires a bit of research. Once you find an auction, you’ll need to follow specific procedures to bid.

Where to Look for Auctions

  • Official City and County Websites: The most reliable source is the website for your local police department, sheriff’s office, or municipality. Look for links titled “Auctions,” “Asset Forfeiture,” or “Surplus Property.” They will post schedules, locations, and lists of available vehicles.
  • Online Government Auction Portals: Many municipalities now use specialized third-party websites to manage their auctions. These platforms allow you to browse and bid on vehicles from various agencies in one place. Popular and reputable sites include GovDeals.com and PublicSurplus.com.
  • Local Newspapers: While less common now, some smaller towns and counties still post auction notices in the classifieds section of the local paper.
  • Local Towing Companies: Often, police departments contract with local towing companies to store impounded vehicles and run the auctions on their behalf. A quick online search for “police impound auction near me” might lead you to these local businesses.

The Auction Process Explained

  1. Registration: Before you can bid, you must register. For in-person auctions, this usually happens on-site the day of the event and requires a valid driver’s license. For online auctions, you’ll create an account on the website. Some auctions may require a refundable cash deposit to ensure you are a serious bidder.
  2. Vehicle Inspection: This is the most critical phase. Auctions typically set aside a specific time, often a few hours before the bidding starts, for potential buyers to inspect the vehicles. You will not be allowed to test drive them. You can look inside, open the hood, and check what you can see.
  3. Bidding: At a live auction, an auctioneer will present each vehicle, or “lot,” one by one. You bid by raising your hand or a bidder number. Online auctions use a timed bidding system similar to eBay. It’s crucial to have a maximum price in mind and not get carried away in the heat of the moment.
  4. Payment: If you win, payment is due almost immediately. Auction houses have very strict rules. They rarely accept personal checks or credit cards. You will likely need cash, a cashier’s check, or a money order for the full amount. Be sure to factor in the “buyer’s premium,” an additional percentage (usually 5-15%) added to your winning bid.
  5. Pickup and Title: You will also be given a very short window, often just 24 to 48 hours, to remove the vehicle from the lot. You will be responsible for towing it if it’s not running. You’ll receive the vehicle’s title or a set of legal documents that allow you to apply for a new title at your local DMV.

What to Consider: The Pros and Cons

Buying an impounded cargo van can be a huge win, but it’s not without risks. Understanding the potential upsides and downsides is essential.

The Advantages

  • Low Prices: The main appeal is the potential for a bargain. Vehicles are often sold for significantly less than their market value because the goal is simply to recover costs for the city or county.
  • Variety of Models: You can find all the popular cargo van models, such as the Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and Chevrolet Express.
  • Opportunity for DIY: If you are mechanically inclined, you can get a non-running van for a very low price and repair it yourself, resulting in massive savings.

The Risks and What to Watch For

  • “As-Is” Condition: This is the golden rule of impound auctions. “As-is” means you get the vehicle in its current state, with all its hidden problems. There are no warranties or guarantees. All sales are final.
  • Unknown History: You have no idea how the previous owner maintained the van. It could have serious mechanical or electrical issues that aren’t immediately obvious.
  • Limited Inspection: You can’t put the van on a lift or plug in a diagnostic scanner. Your inspection is purely visual. You must be prepared for surprises.
  • Hidden Costs: Your final price isn’t just the winning bid. You must add the buyer’s premium, sales tax, title and registration fees, and potential towing and repair costs.
  • No Keys or Bad Titles: In some cases, a vehicle may be sold without keys, requiring you to pay a locksmith. There can also be complications with the title paperwork, leading to delays at the DMV.

Your Pre-Bid Inspection Checklist

During the brief inspection period, you need to be efficient. Focus on identifying major red flags that could signal a bad investment.

  • Check the Fluids: Pull the engine oil and transmission fluid dipsticks. If the oil is milky, it could indicate a blown head gasket, a very expensive repair. If transmission fluid is dark brown or smells burnt, the transmission may be failing.
  • Look for Leaks: Check the ground under the van for any fresh puddles of oil, coolant, or other fluids.
  • Examine the Tires: Are the tires from a reputable brand? Is the tread worn unevenly? Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Inspect the Body: Look for rust, especially on the frame and underbody. Check for mismatched paint panels or large gaps between body panels, which are telltale signs of a past accident.
  • Check the Interior: A trashed interior can indicate general neglect of the entire vehicle. Check for water damage or mold, which can be difficult and expensive to fix.
  • Use a VIN Decoder: Use an app on your phone to run the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This can confirm the model year, engine type, and other factory specifications.

By being prepared and knowing what to look for, you can significantly increase your chances of driving away with a great deal on a police impound cargo van.