Law enforcement of the countrie's statutes are the primary responsibility of the police. This enforcement activity also includes seizing and impounding vehicles for a variety of different reasons. Storing and managing these cars are a headache so the police does not impound them permanently. Quite the opposite - they get sold at car auctions.

This is an opportunity for consumers and speculators to buy good vehicles at a very good price. To really be successful at police impound car auctions, it’s worthwhile to know the process that leads up to the actual auction event. So what is the reason that cars get impounded? These rules are different from state to state, but generally include the following:

1. The car's registration has expired for a period in excess of six months.
2. The driver has been involved in some sort of criminal activity.
3. There are outstanding unpaid parking tickets or the car has been parked without a relevant permit.

The laws are different from one place to the next, so the above reasons are not the same in all states. It is however a general guideline as to why vehicles get seized and impounded.

All relevant parties (this includes the owner and lien holder) to the vehicle are notified once the impound has taken place. The car will remain in the impound yard for at least 30 days. While the car is still in police custody at the impound, some lien holders may wish to repossess the vehicle. This depends on the state’s statutes as well as the loan agreement between the vehicle owner and lien holder.

The police department will lodge an application at the relevant courts to sell the cars if after 30 days there have been no response by the lien- or registered owner. This may take a number of days in itself - usually in excess of 40 days. The court approval sets the wheels in motion for the department to sell the car at a police impound car auction.

Prospective bidders will be notified in a number of ways including newspapers, online newsletters, government gazettes, etc. There will normally be a catalogue released to display all the available items on the day of the auction.

One thing bidders need to be weary for is the potential for outstanding liens on the car. All the procedures running up to the actual auction event doesn't leave many room for the police department to confirm any outstanding liens or other legal charges on the vehicle. Be sure to therefore check for this.

If you attend a sufficient number of these, you will be amazed at the type of deals you can get at on impounded cars at police auctions.

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