DRIVERS can get used luxury and performance cars for a heavily discounted price in a way that is safe and legal.
There is one type of that allows drivers to get their hands on a car that is endorsed by police.
Those on a budget are urged to look into car auctions as used vehicles by authorities are often in far better condition and value than others.
April can also be an expensive period to buy a car as prices often rise during this month.
Police car auctions therefore offer a way to get higher end cars hundreds and sometimes even thousands of pounds cheaper.
The insurance factory claim that with deal police car auctions, “the deals can be so good that there are many auto traders and dealers who specialise in cars bought at such auctions – there’s clearly a tidy profit to be had.”
They include cars in a variety of conditions, which have been seized by authorities, bailiffs, banks, insurance companies, finance companies or other lenders.
The vehicles sold at police auctions can vary significantly in age, performance and overall conditions, but generally for a cheaper price than elsewhere on the market.
They also include a variety of other available, such as vans, motorbikes, former police vehicles that are now surplus to requirements, and even motorhomes.
This is because police forces need to constantly retire and replace their fleet of vehicles to stay up to date and provide the best public service possible with their work on the roads.
There are advantages to buying cars that were formerly used by police, with assurance to have been properly serviced and maintained by qualified professionals in the past.
People often assume the vehicles sold at police auctions are ones that have been involved in criminal activity and stolen or used for high-speed chases.
However, only a small selection of the auctioned cars have actually been directly involved in a , with most being the subject of repossession by authorities.
Vehicles have been impounded by public authorities for a number of reasons, such as owners having outstanding payments on a finance agreement, an insurance policy that is no longer valid, being towed due to illegal parking or posing a danger to other road users.
As there is limited storage capacity for police to keep all these vehicles, auctions provide a good way to recycle seized vehicles.
Purchasing a police vehicle from an auction first involves checking local auction houses or online sites and looking for events that are specifically listed as a police car auction.
At an auction, cars are brought out to view and people attending can give their bids to the auctioneer either in person, on the phone or via the internet where the highest bidder will remain.
The main caution bidders should be aware of at police auctions is that most offer no warranty and some vehicles do not have a valid MOT, meaning that drivers may need to arrange transportation if they make a winning bid.
The insurance factory as advise to check the service history, log book, and an HPI market or outstanding finances of a vehicle.
