Truck Auctions Near Me [Locator Map + Bidding Guide + FAQ]

A truck auction is your best opportunity to get a used truck at a price lower than the dealership. These events will mostly include semi trucks, heavy-duty trucks, medium-duty trucks, and box trucks on the auctioning block. Below I’ll share where to find truck auctions, tips for success, what to expect from your first truck auction, and share my experience with the Truck auctions near me.

Map of Truck Auctions Near Me

For “Truck Auctions Near Me” or “Semi Truck Auctions Near Me”, see below page for locations…

How to Find Truck Auctions Near Me

Truck auctions take place across the nation. Many are held by auction houses, while others pop up independently. Most truck auctions feature semi-trucks, box trucks, and both medium and heavy-duty work trucks. The vehicles will vary in condition, some pristine, some needing repairs, and others with salvage titles. If you are in the market for a used truck, then an auction is the place to be. So how do you find your local truck auction?…

Here are the methods I use to find truck auctions near me:

Google Search and Yelp Listings

The first place to look for local live truck auctions is Google and Yelp. I like to search for specifically what I want like “Semi Truck Auctions Near Me” or “Box Truck Auctions Near Me”. Sometimes I search with my zip also. This will usually pull up local auction houses who do truck events. What this won’t have though is special events that pop up.

Pro Tip: One of my best secrets is using Google “Events” to find local truck auctions. Few auction seekers now to look here and yet this is where Google lists these events. These are what I call “pop-up” auctions, listed with standard auctions at online auction show houses. These “pop-ups” are one-time events run by smaller companies. They draw less crowds too, so you might be the most experienced auction hunter there!

Try Google Events here: Truck Auctions Near Me This Week

Government Listings

Federal, state, and local governments post their auction info pickup trucks online. While the info is posted online, these are public live auctions. These Trucks have been seized or are surplus vehicles. Check out this site to find government auctioned trucks: Government Sales Trucks and Parts – Go to the section for Trailers and Semi Tractors

Auction Houses

Auction houses will list there, live upcoming public and virtual auctions. They will list the day’s start times, locations, the lots available, auction terms, etc. You can check with your local auction houses. Here are the US listings for truck auctions on Taylor and Martin.

How to Do Live Truck Auctions Near Me Work

While many of these auctions have moved online, there are still several awesome truck auctions near me. These are often huge events, with large trucks of different shapes, sizes, and conditions. You will see used pickup trucks from all the popular manufacturers like Mack, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Volvo, International, etc. Some of the vehicles will run, some won’t, and some will be sold with a salvage title. A salvage title sometimes is a great opportunity to get a Truck cheap, but you better inspect the heck out of that vehicle pre-auction!

Pro Tip: The pre-inspection period at a Truck auction is critical to attend if you are a serious bidder. Bring a mechanic with you if necessary to help examine the trucks. You need to ask critical questions about the history, ownership, and service documentation, and look and listen for mechanical issues. Your goal is to access the value of your highest wager. I like to reference the NADA Truck Value Guide price to frame your bid.

Most of the trucks at these events are consigned to the auction house. This means the owner has signed an agreement to give a percentage of the final sale to the location or auction house in exchange for marketing the sale of the vehicle. The amount of consignment varies by the location and auctioning company, but it can go upwards of 30% of the sale of the highest bid.

The flow of the event

A truck auction will start with a pre-inspection period (sometimes the night before). This is where you can walk a lot of vehicles on the schedule and inspect them. This is your time to evaluate the trucks.

Next is the registration period which can be online pre-auction or in person the day of the event. In order to bid you must be registered online. Registration requires proof of identity, proof of finances, and signing a legally binding agreement that makes your bid a contract.

Once the event is ready to begin, the auctioneer will read the auction rules that will govern the event. They will then roll the first vehicle onto the block. The auctioneer will read a brief description and then suggest what the bidding price starts at.

Now participants will bid on the truck, by raising their hand or a paddle. Each bid raises the price incrementally in ascending order until no one is willing to pay more then the highest bidder. The auctioneer shouts sold and then the highest bidder takes ownership of the truck. They pay and receive the title.

Each auction is laid out a little differently. Some are featured in a yard, where the auctioneer and the crowd move to each vehicle one by one during the event. Some auctions have the trucks roll through a lane in front of the crowd.

Other auctions have a lane, where the trucks pull up in the middle of the crowd. At indoor auction houses, the auctioneer stands on an elevated platform so he can see the bidders from a perch. There may also be a large screen showing the basic details of the truck and the current bid price.

Tips for Bidding at a Used Truck Auction Near Me

No matter if you are buying a semi-truck, box truck, or heavy-duty flatbed, the following tips apply to any kind of truck auction:

Read the catalog before the auction. Write down notes in it about questions you have.
Plan to attend the event in person. Proxy bidding over the phone, works, but you should see what you are actually bidding on.
Get to the event early and register. If you get caught in the registration line, you may miss bidding on the trucks you want.
Go to the pre-inspection period. Inspect the trucks thoroughly. Examine for rust, leaks, smoke, funny engine sounds, etc…
Compare the metrics in the catalog to the metrics you see in the truck. Example: Is the mileage correct?
Find the owner of the truck and ask them questions. “I don’t know” is not an acceptable response.
Check the agenda of the event. Mark down the times you need to be ready for the trucks you want. Note changes in the schedule.
Know how much the vehicle is worth to you. Set a value in your mind and do not waiver from it with emotional bidding.
If you win the vehicle, let them ship it to you. Don’t drive it home from the auction.

What Kind of Trucks Will Be Featured

That will depend on what gets consigned and if there is a special featured event. . Ford the most part, you see larger commercial trucks. This includes big rigs, flatbeds, box trucks, etc.

Here are a few notes compare a few truck types and brands you can commonly find at these auctions:

Semi Trucks
Box Trucks
Medium and Heavy Duty Trucks
Tow Trucks (Both Dolly and Flat Bed
Trailers
Dually Trucks
Commercial Trucks
Commercial Vans

While occasionally you will see a passenger-style pickup truck or lite duty pickup truck, those type pickup trucks are more commonly found at car or general vehicle auctions. When I ever see a out of class truck pop up at one of these auctions, my first thought is maybe a steal, and my second thought is what the heck is wrong with it! You can also consider looking for trucks at police auctions and repo auctions.

Online Truck Auctions vs Public Truck Auctions

Many truck auctions have moved away from live public events and transitioned to online. They can reach a larger audience and provide proxy bidding for those without a dealer license. It makes a lot of sense for the auction house.

Honestly, it makes good sense for bidders too, can bid from home or even from your mobile phone. All of the downsides to truck auctions online are the same things that are problems with live auctions, vehicle quality, salvage trucks, location etc…

As easy as online auctions make it, I prefer to find truck auctions near me and attend in person. Buying a truck, especially spending money on a semi, requires a close inspection before you buy it. These are complicated machines and you need to get in there and take a closer look. Remember, these aren’t passenger cars, these are big trucks that haul heavy stuff for hundreds of thousands of miles. What kind of work has it done and what toll has it taken on the vehicle? You just can’t answer those questions with some pictures and a description online.

There is one other online auction company though called Copart, that run online truck auctions, but has a process for vehicle inspection. You can visit one of their facilities to inspect the trucks before you place your online auction bid.

How to Get Your Truck Sold in an Auction

If you have a truck you’re trying to sell auctions are a great option. You don’t have to worry about listing it, showing it, and answering emails. The auction house does all of that work for you in exchange for a percentage of the final sale. The class of the truck doesn’t really matter. Whether it’s a semi, box, commercial, or heavy-duty truck, they will find the market and buyers for you.

To get your truck in an auction you just need to call an auction house. The truck’s title must be in your name and free of liens. When they call they will inquire about make, model, year, mileage, and your asking price. You may get asked to provide photographs at specific angles of the vehicle.

Most of these businesses have tight schedules that fill up fast, so calling sooner then later is a good idea. Before choosing which auction house to sign a deal with I would encourage you to call around a bit and read reviews online.

Legal Considerations and Compliance

When participating in truck auctions, it’s crucial to understand the legal considerations and compliance requirements. This knowledge ensures a smooth purchase and ownership experience.

Understanding Auction Terms and Conditions

Every auction, whether an online auction or a physical event, has its own set of terms and conditions. These rules govern the bidding process, sale agreements, and post-auction procedures. It’s important to conduct a thorough search visit or saved search on the auctioneer’s website, like Ritchie Bros, to familiarize yourself with these terms.

Pay special attention to valuemarks features and ironclad assurance meter, which indicate the quality and guarantees provided by the auction house. Understanding these terms helps in making informed decisions and avoiding potential legal pitfalls.

Legal Requirements for Buying and Owning Auction Trucks

The legal requirements for buying and owning an extended cab pickup truck or any other vehicle from an auction vary by location. For instance, in states like Missouri or Colorado, specific regulations might apply to the purchase of equipment and vehicles from auctions.

It’s essential to browse the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website or consult legal experts to understand these requirements. This includes understanding the demand and job-related uses of equipment on the truck, which can influence its equipment classification and the legalities involved.

Registration and Insurance Considerations

After acquiring a pickup or truck from an auction, the next step is registration and insurance. The process might differ if the truck is for personal use or for a business. In many cases, auction prices are attractive, but the cost of hauling, transportation, and getting the vehicle road-ready should be factored in.

Ensure that the inventory of new items or item added to the truck, like a Freightliner engine or Ford

parts, are declared during registration. Sellers often provide documents necessary for registration, but it’s wise to connect with local authorities to verify.

Insurance is another critical aspect, as it protects your investment and is often legally required. Free online tools can help compare meter readings and insurance quotes, facilitating a more informed decision.

In conclusion, understanding the legal landscape of truck auctions helps manage your expectations and responsibilities, ensuring a hassle-free purchase, sale and ownership experience.