How To Buy Government Surplus Vehicles

Insuring A Restored Vehicle

When a vehicle is considered restored, this usually means it was previously labeled as salvage, but then was repaired or restored to full working condition. In many cases, its possible to get full coverage on a restored vehicle, but only with some car insurance companies. In most states, to get a restored title back on the road, the car owner must go through the process of a mandatory state inspection.

Where And How Can You Buy Government Surplus Vehicles

The way you approach government surplus auctions will affect your chances of winning. Always look for a reputable auction company. Read buyer reviews. Check if the site is considered reliable by a reputable institution, such as the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing .

Scanning thousands of cars can be tiresome. Once youve picked the auction site, browse the site beforehand, choose your target vehicle, and research its prices over the last few months. This will help you determine a set price youre willing to pay before the auction starts. Its easy to get carried away with the excitement of the auction and bid more than you planned.

If possible, go for a test drive or get an inspection done.

When it comes to bidding strategies, keep the bidding to yourself to avoid drawing attention to the item, attracting other bidders, and possibly increasing the final sale price. Some savvy buyers often wait until the last minute to bid. Also, since most people bid in even amounts, youre more likely to beat them by bidding in uneven amounts. Rather than bidding $500, bid $501.

Two Names You Will See Frequently

If you simply start Googling how to buy a military surplus vehicle, there are two results you will notice on the first page. One is a website called IronPlanet, and another called GovPlanet.

There are other results, toosome civilian, some government. But how do you know which of these to trust? Heres a hintboth IronPlanet and GovPlanet are listed on the DLA official site as business partners.

These two companies work with the government, but are not government agencies. They are private companies doing business with the federal government, which means having to meet certain federal guidelines and follow specific standards.

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How To Acquire Surplus Federal Personal Property

Eligible state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations can obtain personal property that the federal government no longer needs through the Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program.

Surplus personal property includes all types of property except:

• Land or other real property
• Certain naval vessels and
• Records of the federal government.

There are special procedures and forms for:

How To Insure A Salvage Vehicle

Depending on what state youre in, youll have to jump through different hoops to get a legal title, registration, and insurance for a salvage vehicle. Furthermore, many car insurance companies may refuse to insure a car that has been listed as salvage or only provide liability insurance and exclude coverage related to the original damage to the car.

Follow the steps below to find the most reasonable coverage for your salvage vehicle:

• Get all the documentation you need to prove that your car is safe to drive according to your local state laws.
• Get the original repair estimate, if possible. Show proof that all the original damage has been adequately repaired when you talk to an insurer.
• Search for salvage insurance online. This will help narrow down a number of insurance companies that meet your needs. Not all insurance companies have the same restrictions. Some companies will insure vehicles that are actively being repaired or have been totaled out by other insurers.
• Opt for liability insurance only. Despite this minimal coverage, expect to pay higher premiums. Be sure to read the policy carefully and compare different options to get the best possible coverage.

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Next Steps For Request Surplus Property Available To The General Public

Auctions are scheduled several times throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Due to possible inclement weather conditions, auctions are not conducted during the winter months.

Miscellaneous Equipment For Sale

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Surplus State Vehicles & Equipment Auctions

The disposal of used and surplus state vehicles and equipment is done primarily through sales at public auctions. The two public auctions used are:

• Tampa Machinery Auction, Inc. –
• GovDeals, Inc. www.StateofFL.GovDeals.com

The auctions are open to the public and everyone may bid. There is no bidder, buyer or registration fees charged.

Annually, the State of Florida has approximately 1,300 used vehicles and other items of mobile equipment that are available for purchase by the public and other government agencies. The types of used equipment normally available are:

The Government Surplus Vehicle Guide

At government surplus auctions, unwanted property is sold to save on storage and maintenance costs. These auctions are some of the best ways for individuals and businesses to get quality used vehicles at affordable prices.

You can typically buy government surplus or confiscated vehicles via sealed bid, live auction, or online auction. The purchasing process can vary depending on the rules used by each selling government agency.

To make the whole process of buying government surplus vehicles easier, read on to find everything you need to know before bidding in a government-sponsored auction.

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How To Register A Salvage Vehicle

Here are the basic requirements for registering a salvage vehicle:

• A completed Application for Title or Registration signed by all current owners.
• Proof of ownership. This can be a Salvage Certificate, the Certificate of Title, or an Application for Duplicate or Paperless Title form.
• A Verification of Vehicle or CHP Certificate of Inspection form.
• Brake and light adjustment certificates for most vehicles.
• Registration fees, which may vary from state to state.

Why Buy From An Online Auto Auction

You can find decent-quality vehicles at much cheaper prices from online auto auctions. For business owners who need many new vehicles, this can save a lot of money. If you enjoy the thrill of the bidding process and have the time, confidence, and knowledge, buying vehicles from an online auto auction can also be a lot of fun.

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Buying Government Vehicles Explained: Part 1

There are 2 types of government vehicles that the public can buy:

Government Fleet Vehicles

These are cars that are leased by the government on a 3-5 year term for use by government employees on the job. At the end of the lease term, the government sells the vehicles at steep discounts to the public through the Internet and auctions. The U.S. General Services Administration , a division of the federal government, is in charge of buying / leasing the cars, managing the fleet , and selling the cars. Cars for sale are listed on the GSA website at . GSA sells about 35,000 vehicles a year ranging from cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. The vehicles are generally of good quality and have been well maintained by the government. The savings could be substantial since after all the government does use our hard-earned tax dollars to acquire the vehicles and is not in the business of making a if any profit from the sales of the vehicles to the public .

To learn more about buying these government-owned fleet vehicles, here are some frequently asked questions from their site:

Registering A Restored Vehicle

The registration process for a restored vehicle varies depending on state laws as well as the reason the vehicle registration was suspended. In most cases, youll need to provide proof of insurance, a declaration page for the vehicle being restored, and a copy of the front and back of the certificate of title or bill of sale.

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What Kind Of Military Surplus Vehicles Can You Buy

Dont think that military surplus is limited to passenger vehicles the list below reveals several surprises including fire trucks, forestry gear, and more.

• Aircraft
• Aircraft Parts, Tires and Ground Handling Equipment
• Boats, Ships and Marine Equipment
• Agriculture and Forestry Construction Equipment and Supplies
• Wheeled Goods
• Fire Trucks and Fire Fighting Equipment
• Motorcycles

Terms And Conditions Of Sale

GSA sells used personal property according to the U.S. Government’s Standard Form 114C April 2001, “General Sale Terms and Conditions.” You may ask to review a copy from any of the GSA regional Sales Offices. Please study the terms and conditions in the Invitation for Bid and in any notices provided at auctions and other sales. Be sure you understand any special terms.

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Know Who The Vendors Are

If youre reading this article, chances are good you dont know who sells and who has a reputation for being reliable. The good news is that you can find some crucial information with some basic research. The key is knowing where to start looking.

The Department of Defense has an entire office dedicated to surplus property of all kinds .

The Defense Logistics Agency is the home of a branch called Disposition Services which basically oversees the transfer of gear, cars, computers, office equipment, and more from the end-user at U.S. military bases all over the world to either a surplus sale, salvage, or other final destination.

DLA isnt the only agency to do so another government operation called GovSales is administered by the U.S. General Services Administration. GovSales is the clearinghouse for all approved federal government sales centers.

This website operated for some time at its own destination, but as of September 2020, it now functions as a part of the federal website USA.gov which is described by the government as the front door to government information and services for the public. Those visiting USA.gov to buy surplus can locate and purchase surplus via online sales centers there.

If you know these two websites, you can definitely get started finding and purchasing a government surplus vehicle.

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Guide To Online Auctions

Auctions let you avoid dealer markups or overly ambitious owners. You may also come across rare vehicles that are not easily found anywhere else at incredible prices. To ensure your auctioning experience is enjoyable, make sure youre well prepared.

• Know the auction site. Since every site has different rules, do your homework: understand how the auction works as well as the terms and conditions.
• Know the seller. Identify who the seller is. Check their feedback rating.
• Know the vehicle youre bidding on and its relative value. Determine whether the vehicle comes with a warranty and how to get follow-up service if you need it.
• Only bid on the vehicle you intend to buy. Establish your top price and stick with it. If youve won an auction, if possible, pay with a credit card as they offer more buyer protection.

If you run into a problem during your transaction, try to work it out directly with the seller or with the auction site.

How To Restore A Car And Sell It For Profit

The prospect of buying and restoring a car in order to sell it for a profit is fascinating. However, if done wrong, it can cost you a fortune. Herere a few tips on how to make money restoring and selling cars:

• Have a plan. Think about whether you can build the car the way you see it in your mind and whether you can restore it in a cost effective way to make a profit.
• Stay financially realistic. Dont spend more on the restoration than your potential profit from selling the car.
• Be sure the car is in a certain level of condition and that it will have some resale value. You need to find the right car to start with one you dont need to spend too much money on to make it worthwhile. Otherwise, your investment wont pay off.

Before you rush into a government surplus vehicle auction, identify your goal. Think carefully about what youre doing and why. Do your homework. Know your states laws. Seek as much advice as possible because even though its easy to make an online purchase, there can be many potential problems and pitfalls.

Need help with buying a surplus vehicle from the government? Municibid is an online auction site where government agencies, schools, and other authorities sell used vehicles directly to the public. Check out our listings in your area by clicking here.

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How To Read Vehicle History Reports

Before you buy a used car, youll want to know as much about it as you can. Make sure you really dig into the history of the car and pay attention to any suspicious information. Here are the things you should look out for:

• Number of previous owners. A car with multiple past owners may not have had proper care.
• Previous locations. A vehicles past locations can cause some significant damage, such as extreme heat, flooding, or snow and icy road conditions.
• VIN number, make, model, style, and vehicle description. This can help you avoid various types of vehicle fraud, like VIN cloning.
• Reported damage and accidents the car was involved in.
• Filed auto repair and service records.
• Any suspicious markings.

You can obtain VHRs from Carfax or other private companies. For a reputable list of private VHR providers, check out the National Motor Vehicles Title Information Systems list of approved VHR providers.