Police cars are usually sold for a fraction of their retail price – but there are some things to look out for when getting a heavily discounted price.
Drivers on the hunt for a swanky or high-performance motor without burning a hole in their wallet might want to peek at an unexpected treasure trove brimming with budget-friendly options. It’s common knowledge that used car prices tend to skyrocket in April due to limited availability driving up demand.
But, there’s a particular type of car auction that could land enthusiasts in the driver’s seat of their fantasy ride without costing them an arm and a leg. In a blog update, The Insurance Factory has thrown in a curveball by suggesting drivers shouldn’t discount police car auctions, notorious for offering vehicles once in the clutches of law enforcement agencies.
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“When you see an advertisement for a ‘police car auction’ then it could be one of a variety of auctions where vehicles seized by the authorities are being sold. In many ways a police car auction is very similar to any other new or used car auction.
“The main difference being that everything in the auction has been seized by either the police themselves or bailiffs, banks, insurance companies, finance companies or other lenders,” they divulged.
Whilst motorists may think that vehicles sold during police auctions were likely stolen or used for high-speed chases from the law, the majority were seized or repossessed by local forces or bailiffs.
The vehicles sold by police forces vary considerably in age, performance and overall condition, but many are sold for significantly less than those elsewhere on the market.
Nevertheless, drivers should approach police auctions with some caution, with most offering no warranty and some vehicles not having a valid MOT, meaning that drivers may need to arrange transportation if they make a winning bid.
According to data sourced from a freedom of information (FOI) request, during 2023, the Metropolitan Police auctioned a number of models for particularly affordable prices.
These included a 2016 Ford Grand C-Max for £2,500, a 2020 BMW 5-Series Gran Tourer for £3,287, and a 2019 Vauxhall Astra Estate for £2,400.
The force also sold a wide number of commercial vehicles and motorcycles during the auctions, including a 2013 Vauxhall van for £4,280 and a 2016 BMW bike for £2,270, reports the Express.
Alternatively, Insurance Factory also noted that many police forces also use these auctions to sell off retired vehicles owned by the force, which will have been maintained to a particularly high standard.
They added: “Every year police forces up and down the country have to retire and replace many vehicles to keep their fleets updated and offering the very best public service. After all, you won’t get far chasing criminals in an old banger!
“A big advantage for any buyer of an ex-police car is that you know the vehicle will have been properly serviced and maintained by qualified professionals throughout its career.”
