Government Auctions in Chicago

Did you know that you can purchase a used vehicle from federal car auctions? That’s right! You can buy a car directly from the government! Or maybe you have heard about these government vehicle auctions, but haven’t yet made the plunge yourself. If you’re in the market for a good car deal and would enjoy the buzz of the live auction atmosphere, then government car auctions in Chicago are where you need to be.
 
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is like the business arm of the federal government; therefore, the GSA is in charge of purchasing fleet vehicles and then lending them out to the various branches. However, these fleet vehicles are driven only for a few years, so the GSA then puts them up for sale to the general public at a live government auction.
 
In general, these greater Chicago federal car auction fleet vehicles have low mileage, have an excellent maintenance record, and are recent makes and models. GSA auto auction vehicles will not be military vehicles or repossessed automobiles. Plus, participants can buy a car at government car auctions without a registration or buyer’s fee. So, if you’re looking for a good government auction deal and are interested in purchasing a used government vehicle, then government auctions in Illinois may be your answer.
 
Government car auctions are held both locally at 40 registered public government auction sites across the United States as well as online through the GSA Auction website. You can go to the GSA website to find local government auctions, browse the auction gov vehicle catalog, and get to know more about the GSA and the federal auctions process.
 
Here are a few suggestion to make your first GSA auto auction a success:
 

• Locate a federal auto auction site in Chicagoland and register at that auction house prior to the sale. While there are no registration fees for a GSA auction, you will want to make sure you obtain your bidder number and familiarize yourself with the government auction terms and conditions.
• Browse the government car auction catalog and determine in which vehicles you are interested. The Chicago auction house will generally make available an auctions gov catalog the day of the sale or on an Inspection Day (if applicable). The government auction catalog lists cars in the order in which they will be sold and includes each vehicle’s make, model, VIN, mileage, special features, and installed equipment.
• Inspect the vehicle(s) prior to the actual government auction cars sale. Some federal auction sites allow you to come for an Inspection Day, or (at the least) an hour or so before the sale begins. While they may not allow you to take a test drive, you can thoroughly look at the vehicle and may even be able to turn the engine on. Take advantage of these opportunities to guarantee you take home what you want from these Illinois public government auctions.
• Know your target price. After you know on which vehicles you may want to bid at the government auction, do your research and know how much you have to spend. You may want to research online by using either NADA (National Auto Dealer’s Association), Kelley Blue Book, or Edmunds. These pricing tools will help you know how the approximate retail value of similar cars.
• Read the GSA auction terms and conditions again before the car auction gov begins. Remember that being the highest bidder means that you are entering into a legal contract with the seller, and in this case, the federal government. Failing to follow through on your purchase will likely bring you monetary consequences. Plus, you will likely never be allowed to purchase a car from a GSA auction again.
• Participate in the mock federal auto auction in Chicago IL (if applicable). Some auction houses may offer a brief mock GSA car auction prior to the sale itself. If you are a first-time government auto auction participant, you may want to attend this useful learning opportunity so you are prepared when your vehicle is actually brought up for bid at the auction.
• Don’t get too caught up in the excitement of a South Chicago government car auction and bid more than you planned. While not having a buyer’s premium or registration fees can make your pocketbook seem a bit more free than at a typical public auto auction, don’t get carried away. Know your limits and stick to them.