Old police cars can be bought at government surplus auctions, used car sales, or directly from the department. It’s important to assess the car’s condition before buying and remove any identifiable markings after purchase. Lights and sirens are usually disabled and new registration plates are required.
Depending on where you live, it is possible to buy an old police car. Most police forces around the world are constantly in the process of upgrading their vehicle fleets, generally selling old vehicles through government surplus auctions. As a general rule, older police cars are more available for sale in urban areas, where a large fleet of vehicles is needed and extensive financing allows for frequent upgrades. In isolated rural areas, it can be more difficult to obtain a police car, especially if you live in a region where the police are underfunded.
There are several ways that you can buy an old police car. Many police forces hold periodic auctions where surplus equipment is sold, usually at a steep discount. Large police departments may have their own auctions, while others may bundle their products with a larger government surplus auction that combines teams from multiple agencies. Old police cars are also sometimes sold at used car sales and auctions, especially ones with government agencies. These auctions are publicly listed in the region’s registration document. Sometimes you can also buy an old police car directly from the department, especially in a small town, in which case you can ask department staff about buying retired police cars.
If you buy an old police car at auction, you are generally not allowed to test drive it beforehand. It’s a good idea to assess the condition of an old police car as best you can before you buy it, because police officers are very harsh on their cars. If you don’t have a lot of experience in auto repair and mechanics, find a friend who does and ask them to come with you to the parking lot to inspect the car for any obvious problems.
Once you buy an old police car, you need to remove any identifiable markings so people on the road don’t mistake you for a real police officer. Some police departments prime their cars before sale to ensure they don’t blend in with the actual fleet of vehicles, while others simply ask that people remove department markings before driving. People who buy vintage police cars may be allowed to store the original brands, due to the fact that the age of the car clearly sets it apart from the rest of the fleet.
The lights and siren are usually disabled prior to purchase as well, so they are not abused by civilian owners. You will also usually be required to obtain new registration plates as police cars are often identified with government plates so when you register your vehicle be sure to specify that it is a police car out of service to be issued new plates.
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