In this article, I am going to dive into the world of ex-police cars, PPVs, and interceptors purchased directly from state and federal auctions.
Should you buy an ex-police car at auction in the US?
Police cars are comprehensively maintained and interceptor models will have beefed-up suspension, brakes, and engine output. The downside, which makes them a choice suitable for enthusiasts and the mechanically minded, is that most police duty vehicles have been driven hard, involved in accidents, and have a very basic trim level that’s unpopular with most people.
So, I am guessing that if you are still here, then you’re an enthusiast, mechanic, or mechanically minded in the least. So, read on.
As mentioned, I don’t need to tell you that outside of rare cases, these cars have likely been punished, have often had many-body repairs, and have an extraordinarily basic trim level with drill holes everywhere there was equipment once mounted, and so on. But, you probably also know that if you get a good one, you have a high-spec driveline that’ll make a super solid car for a really low price.
On this page, I’ll give an overview of current vehicles at auction, where to find them, and new vehicles coming we can expect to see at auction in the future.
Another View
Many will surely know the lovable Randy from Auto Auction Rebuilds, and in this video, he covers one of his recent buys, a Ford Taurus Police Interceptor
When do Police Cars go to auction?
Most departments will seek new vehicles when squad cars reach between 100-150,000 miles, which is around three to four years of life. Some vehicles may stay in the fleet for up to six years as many Crown Vics have. That’s not a fixed rule though, and some may let cars go earlier at 60-80k to save on ongoing maintenance, or, in some cases hang onto them for longer if there is not a viable replacement.
If they are involved in an accident they are usually repaired, or if totaled, sent to a salvage auction.
What types of ex-police vehicles are seen for auction?
According to federal, state, provincial, and local laws, any vehicle, appropriately modified, can be used as a police vehicle, but the most common are the interceptors, pursuit, patrol, and special service vehicles that are purpose-built by the manufacturer.
Most vehicles have upgraded suspension, higher output engines, ballistic panels in the doors, beefed-up brakes, basic and heavy durability interior trim, lighting controllers, spot lamps, and more.
The most common police vehicles in the auction marketplace currently
| Vehicle | Engine | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Police Interceptor Sedan (Taurus) | 3.5L V6 (288 HP) | re-calibrated 6-Speed Automatic, 220A alternator, skid plate, stainless exhaust, blind spot info system, rearview camera, reverse sensing system, specially tuned electronic stability control system, HVAC |
| Ford Police Interceptor Sedan (Taurus) | 3.7L V6 AWD (305 HP) | re-calibrated 6-Speed Automatic, 220A alternator, skid plate, stainless exhaust, blind spot info system, rearview camera, reverse sensing system, specially tuned electronic stability control system, HVAC |
| Ford Police Interceptor Sedan (Taurus) | 3.5L V6 EcoBoost Twin Turbo (365 HP) | re-calibrated 6-Speed Automatic, 220A alternator, skid plate, stainless exhaust, blind spot info system, rearview camera, reverse sensing system, specially tuned electronic stability control system, HVAC |
| Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer AWD) | 3.5L V6 EcoBoost Twin Turbo (365 HP) | 3.16 diff, re-calibrated 6-Speed Automatic, trans and engine oil coolers, 220A alternator, gas shocks, stainless steel exhaust, HVAC, intrusion plates in front seats, |
| Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer AWD) | 3.7L V6 (304 HP) | 3.65 diff, re-calibrated 6-Speed Automatic, trans and engine oil coolers, 220A alternator, gas shocks, stainless steel exhaust, HVAC, intrusion plates in front seats, |
| Dodge Charger | 5.7L V8 (370 HP) | 5 speed auto, 220A alternator, 2.62 diff, 7 or 12 inch touch screen display (Uconnect), bullet resistant front doors, blind-spot monitoring and rear park assist |
| Dodge Charger | 5.7L V8 AWD (370 HP) | 5 speed auto, 220A alternator, 3.07 diff, 7 or 12 inch touch screen display (Uconnect), bullet resistant front doors, blind-spot monitoring and rear park assist |
| Chevrolet Tahoe PPV | 5.3L V8 (355 HP) | 3.08 diff, StabiliTrak stability control, PPV-specific lowered ride height and heavy-duty suspension, modified rear doors, auxiliary battery option |
| Chevrolet Caprice | 6.0L V8 (355 HP) | 2.92 diff, six-speed automatic, Heavy-duty police MacPherson strut suspension, rollover sensors |
Examples:
How fast are they? Michigan State Police Department revealed their performance testing results which can still be viewed here.
Current Police Cars (in-service)
These should start coming to auction in a few years, earlier for those that have had damage beyond reasonable repair.
- 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV (Police Pursuit Vehicle)
- 2023 Silverado Police Pursuit Vehicle
- 2023 Dodge Charger Pursuit
- 2023 Dodge Durango Pursuit
- 2023 Ford Police Interceptor Utility (based on the 2020 Ford Explorer)
- 2023 Ford F-150 Police Responder
- 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro SSV
Where to find Police Cars at Auction?
There are several places you can begin searching including
- GovPlanet – police vehicles search
- Municibid – police vehicles search
- GovDeals – police vehicles search
- GSA Auctions – police vehicles search
Every week there are numerous ex-police vehicles for sale on Copart and IAAI. While they are traditionally auctioneers of salvage vehicles, occasionally there are vehicles in amazing condition at these auctions simply because they are not suitable for dealer-used lots and end up on the truck going to salvage sales.
- Copart – police vehicles search
- IAAI – police vehicles search
They also appear at local county auctions so, keep an eye on our dedicated police vehicle category for auction highlights.
*This article was published on: Aug, 2020 and updated Feb, 2024.
