| The United States Government purchases thousands | | | | held in every state, several times a year. |
| of cars for use as fleet vehicles. These fleet vehicles | | | | Before a government car auction starts, you will have |
| are used by different agencies to perform their vital | | | | the opportunity to inspect the vehicles for any major |
| functions, which are required for this country to run | | | | problems that could affect the safe or reliable |
| smoothly. Due to the need for a reliable vehicle, there | | | | operation of the vehicle. These problems are rare due |
| are strict government regulations on how long the | | | | to the excellent maintenance of government vehicles, |
| vehicle can be used before it is retired from service, | | | | but if you are not mechanically inclined, it is |
| and replaced by a newer model. The regulations also | | | | recommended that you bring someone who is, just to |
| require that when a vehicle is retired from service, it is | | | | make sure. |
| to be disposed of by being sold at a public auction. | | | | When the bidding starts, it starts low. The car is sold |
| The government's motivation is not to make a profit, | | | | for the highest bid. Most cars sell for a few thousand |
| but to get rid of the vehicles, because there are cars | | | | less than what they are worth, but some nice cars |
| being retired from service every day, and they pile up. | | | | have been known to sell for almost nothing if there is |
| Due to the amount of cars being retired, auctions are | | | | no competition bidding on them. |