At Car Auction Network, we think Ohio is a great state for someone looking for an auto auction because there are many locations to choose from. Public car auctions in Ohio are common and you can use the list below to see which ones may be nearest to you. Some locations feature 100’s of auction cars for sale at a single location which makes buying a used car at an auction a lot easier and cheaper than other options such as car dealers or private sellers.
Both car dealers and private sellers bring their cars to Ohio car auctions for the same reason: there are a lot of buyers and sellers at a single location. That’s why we recommend these car auctions to used car buyers in Ohio.
The cars for sale at auctions in Ohio will usually come from auto dealers’ trade-ins and repos, as well as bank repos and charity cars. The car auctions in Ohio that are open to the public do not require any special auction license in order to bid in the auction and buy a car.
Addresses & Websites of Used Car Auctions in Ohio
Skipco Auto Auction
700 Elm Ridge Ave
Canal Fulton, OH
(330) 854-4900
https://www.skipco.com/
Columbus Fair Auto Auction
4700 Groveport Rd
Obetz, OH
(614) 497-2000
https://www.cfaa.com/
Akron Auto Auction
2471 Ley Dr
Akron, OH
(330) 773-8245
https://www.akronautoauction.com/
Value Auto Auction
3776 OH-93
Crooksville, OH
(740) 982-3030
https://www.valueautoauction.com/
Greater Cleveland Auto Auction
5801 Engle Rd
Cleveland, OH
(216) 433-7777
http://www.gcaacars.com/
Goodwill Auto Auction (Columbus)
666 S Nelson Rd
Columbus, OH 43205
(614) 444-2886
https://www.goodwillcolumbus.org/donate/auto-auction/
Goodwill Auto Auction (Dayton)
1511 Kuntz Rd
Dayton, OH 45404
(937) 228-2886
https://www.goodwilldaytonauto.com/
National Powersport Auctions
10132 Business Center Dr
West Chester Township, OH 45246
(888) 672-2460
https://www.npauctions.com/
Springbrook Auto Auction
4060 N West St
Lima, OH 45801
(419) 225-8829
http://www.springbrookaa.com/
Tow Impound Lots and Police Car Auctions in Ohio
These are local city and county government websites that hold auctions in Ohio for impounded and seized vehicles–and also surplus vehicles. They are open to the public and will have photos of their inventory online before the auction bidding starts.
Central Ohio Recovery – Auto Auction
5375 Navarre Rd SW
Canton, OH 44706
330-477-5178
towmethere.com
Toledo Police – Impound Tow Lot Auction
198 Dura Ave.
Toledo, OH
419-245-3399
toledopolice.com
Pike County Sheriff Impound Auto Auction
230 Progress
Dr. Waverly, Ohio 45690
pikecosheriff.com
Goodwill Auto Auction – Cincinnati
10600 Springfield Pike
Cincinnati, Ohio 45215
513-771-4800
goodwillcars.com
Goodwill Auto Auction – Dayton
7150 N. Dixie Dr.
Dayton, Ohio 45413
419-999-2886
goodwilldaytonauto.com
City of Columbus – Police Impound Auctions
120 Marconi Blvd
Columbus Ohio 43215
614-645-4545
columbus.gov
City Cincinnati – Police Auction
3425 Spring Grove Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45225
cincinnati-oh.gov
Ohio State Surplus Public Vehicle Auction
4200 Surface Rd
Columbus, OH 43228
ohio.gov
Hamilton County Ohio – Online Surplus Auction
Website
Auction Cars for Sale at Ohio Auto Auctions
We are often asked where the auction cars in OH come from. There are a lot of myths on car auctions and where their cars come from. We made this extensive list of the sources of cars for sale at auctions.
- Repossessed Vehicles:
- Banks and financial institutions (such as credit unions & title pawn companies) often repossess cars when owners default on their loans.
- These repossessed cars are then sold at bank repo auctions to recover the loan amount. Other than dealer trade-ins, these are the types of auction cars that we run across the most at auctions around the state of Ohio.
- Fleet Vehicles:
- Companies that operate vehicle fleets often replace their vehicles after a certain period or mileage.
- These retired fleet vehicles are then auctioned off.
- Lease Returns:
- Vehicles that are returned after the lease term ends might be auctioned if they aren’t sold directly by the dealership. We like these because they tend to be well-maintained with decent records.
- Trade-ins:
- Dealerships might send older trade-ins or those they feel won’t sell quickly on their lots to auctions. We see these the most frequently at car auctions in OH and tend to go for decent prices given their condition.
- Rental Cars:
- Rental car companies often refresh their fleets by selling older models at auctions. In our experience, some rental companies take great care of their cars, some do not. Be sure to factor that into your bid price.
- Salvage Auctions:
- Vehicles that have been damaged, whether from accidents, floods, or other events, and are deemed a total loss by insurance companies.
- These are often sold at specialized salvage auctions for parts or to be rebuilt.
- Government Vehicles:
- Government agencies replace their vehicles and auction off the older ones. We notice these are often base model vehicles but are well-kept.
- This includes cars from municipal fleets, police departments, and other government entities.
- Seized Vehicles:
- Law enforcement agencies might seize vehicles involved in crimes or from owners involved in illegal activities.
- These vehicles can be auctioned off to the public once they’re cleared.
- Charity Donations:
- Some people donate their old vehicles to charities, which then auction them off to raise funds. In our experience, these can vary greatly in quality and condition so be sure to look as close as possible before bidding.
- Estate Sales:
- Vehicles from estates of deceased might be auctioned if the heirs decide not to keep them.
- Dealer Auctions:
- Some auctions are exclusive to licensed car dealers. Dealers might sell cars among themselves to balance inventory.
- Private Sellers:
- Occasionally, private individuals might choose to sell their vehicles at auctions rather than through private sales or trade-ins.
Check Out This Video to See How an Auto Auction Usually Looks and the Low Prices on Cars
This video from Everything’s Regular gives a live shot of the action at a car auction in Ohio. As you can see in this video, it is very important to look over each car very carefully for any prior damage or mechanical issues. With things like transmissions, you just have to use your instinct and experience.
Most of the auction cars have clean titles, but if not, the auctioneer will always announce it before the bidding begins. Pay very close attention to these announcements before you bid in the auction.
Video Credit: Everything’s Regular
Helpful Guide: Tips for Buying a Used Car in Ohio
Last updated on April 14th, 2024 at 10:25 am
