Ultimate Guide to the Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Police Car - Municibid Blog (2024)

Have you ever wondered what happens to police cars once the department no longer needs them? Many get a second life as civilian cars after serving a minimum number of years or reaching a certain amount of mileage. You’ve probably seen them on the road and slowed your speed, until you realized it wasn’t the police.

Anyone can purchase them, just as you would any vehicle at an auction. However, the big question is, should you buy a used police car?

From great modifications to expensive upkeep, there’s plenty to consider. If you’re on the fence, here’s the ultimate guide to the pros and cons of buying a used police car.

The Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Police Car

1. Police Cars Come With Huge Discounts

At auctions, police cars are sold with huge discounts because of how much they get used. They actually sell for less than a comparatively similar vehicle from the same model year. Running two or three shifts per day means incurring a lot of wear and tear quickly. A car that is only a few years old could end up with a decade’s worth. Vehicles used in urban areas perform short stop-start trips all day long. The police chief’s car or a take-home usually don’t have as much usage. In order to help you figure out which is the case with your desired car, ask the seller how the car was used by the department.

2. Built For Quality And Performance

Police cars are manufactured with quality components such as brakes, shocks, fuel lines, suspensions, and more, each enhanced for great performance and longevity before entering police service. Police vehicles are also designed for high-speed chases, so they come equipped with powerful engines. There aren’t many civilian cars that can outdrive a police vehicle. Old police cars will even have a higher level of performance at high speeds, enabling them to more easily overtake slower-moving vehicles with improved control and handling.

2016 Dodge Charger, Sold Price: $9,100

4. Cop Cars Are Well Maintained

Police cars are generally very well maintained over the course of their service life. Departments faithfully follow the maintenance schedule provided by the manufacturer because they can’t afford to have vehicle malfunctions interrupt their work.

Moreover, police vehicles are rated safer compared to many vehicles on the road. They’re built body on frame, compared to unibody frames, which provide less protection in a collision. Most police vehicles have a rating for safe operation at a surprising 150 miles per hour.

2009 Ford Crown Victoria, Starting Price: $500

5. Some Modifications Are Good, Some Are Bad

Police departments often have specialized automotive needs. For example, some come equipped with an upgraded power system. This gives police cars a boosted power capability for the lights, sirens, radios, laptops and other devices that require electrical power.

Another modification to police cars, particularly AWD (all-wheel drive) utility vehicles, is the replacement of the rear seats. The vehicles come equipped with cloth seats, and the police department removes them and installs hard-wearing vinyl fittings. When the vehicle goes to auction, the vinyl is removed, and the cloth seats are re-installed. This means the vehicle’s seat will be like new when going to auction.

The same applies to the center console, which is fitted with police electronics, but once removed, gets replaced with the original center console. Though, sometimes the car may be sold without one.

Not all modifications are desirable. Old police cars often have holes in the dash or the roof, where the car previously held equipment. Holes are left behind once the nudge bar is removed and the lightbar too. Scratches can occur even when the vinyl signs get taken off, leading to a potential need for a new coat of paint.

2017 Ford Taurus, Sold Price: $4,100

6. Cop Cars Get Worked Like A Horse

High mileage isn’t always bad. Certain police cars patrol highways, and highway driving isn’t as damaging to the vehicle as driving in the city. Little demand is put on them except for speed and these cars are built for speed! Likewise, not every vehicle is bound to rack up high mileage.

Depending on where they’re stationed, some departments have unique ways of serving their vehicles. A department within a small township and one inside of a big city work on different servicing schedules because the vehicles have different needs. For example, in Springfield Township, police cars receive service after 300 hours because they don’t get much mileage. According to Ford, one hour of service for police vehicles equals around 33 miles.

However, mileage only tells part of the story. Many police vehicles idle for lots of hours, which isn’t recorded by the odometer. Idling wears on engines as well as on any components in use at that time like the AC, radio, or the seats. Other forms of wear and tear initially go unnoticed too, like when a police officer’s utility belt rubs against the seats.

7. People Drive Differently Around You

When people see your vehicle, they may think it’s an unmarked police car and decide to put their phone away. Though, they could accidentally change up their behavior by driving more nervously.

2017 Ford Explorer, Sold Price: $4,900.00

Where to Buy a Police Car

There are two options for partaking in government surplus auctions. Buyers either have a choice of bidding on vehicles in-person, or choosing to do so online. When choosing the latter, sites like Municibid help buyers find cars based on type, such as police vehicles, and can even help them search for items based on specific locations.

Likewise, many state and local municipalities advertise their public surplus through government websites. There you can find specific times, prices, contact information, and more.

Not all government surplus will be advertised publicly, however. Some police departments sell privately to other departments or small businesses. One major buyer of police cars happens to be taxi companies, who desire vehicles that share the same aesthetic, and will likely have the same maintenance issues. Dealerships will also buy police cars in bulk.

When items are sold publicly, expect to see other everyday citizens and small business owners. Jacob J. bought several retired police vehicles, including Crown Victorias and Ford Explorers, which he explained, “They have been put back to service in my private security company.”

What To Ask When Buying A Used Police Car

As you’re in the process of buying a retired police car, be sure to understand its history and condition before committing. Here’s a breakdown of key questions to ask and why they’re important:

1. What are the idle hours on the car?

Police cars often spend a significant amount of time idling, which isn’t reflected in the odometer reading. The more time spent idling, the more wear and tear done to the engine and other active components.

2. Does the car come with its own key, or is it a fleet key?

Some police fleets use a universal fleet key for all vehicles. If the police vehicle had a fleet key, you’ll need to get a new one made, which is an additional cost to add to the purchase price.

Here’s an approximation of how much you will have to pay for a new key.

3. Does the car come with any police equipment?

Depending on which vehicle you buy and from whom, occasionally, retired police cars could be sold with their equipment intact. That includes the radio, center console, lights, and possibly even the cage. However, if you’re a civilian buyer, this equipment will more than likely be removed. Ask the police department if you want to request an exception be made. For example, sometimes movie producers use police vehicles with working lights on a set.

Not just the vehicle and equipment costs money, but installation does too. Two mechanics could require 2-3 days to install all the lights on a police car. A movie producer saves time by buying the vehicle with the equipment already in place.

4. When was the car taken out of service, and does it start?

Knowing when the car was taken out of service will help you gauge its current condition. If the vehicle has been out of service for a while, the battery could be dead, and you might need to bring jump cables or a spare battery to start it.

5. What type of service was the car used for – detective, chief, patrol, etc.?

If you want a good idea of how the car was used and what kind of wear it might have, then ask what type of service the car provided. For instance, cars used by detectives or chiefs often have less wear than regular patrol cruisers.

2013 Chevrolet Caprice, Sold Price: $5,000

Tips for inspecting police car at auctions

Before buying a used police car, follow these 3 tips to ensure your endeavor is worthwhile:

• • Read all the information provided about vehicles that interest you before attending the auction. If possible, contact the government agency’s maintenance department to find out more about the vehicle’s history. Also be sure to consult sources like CarFax by looking up your vehicle using the VIN (vehicle identification number).

• • If you’re not a mechanic, bring one with you. They’ll know what to look for when evaluating quality.

• • Perform a walkaround inspection of the car, turn it on, and do everything you can do in it (start the wipers, play the radio, roll down the windows, etc.). Make sure everything is in working order. Sometimes, the batteries in these police cars will be dead by the time they get to auction, so bring jumper cables.

2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, Sold Price: $11,900

Top police cars

Without a doubt, certain police cars have an iconic look. As you consider purchasing one, here are the most popular models of police cars over the last six decades:

Dodge Polara (1960s and 1970s)

Fairly lightweight and slightly overpowered, this is one of the police cars featured in the original TV show title sequence of Dukes of Hazzard. The car could reach 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, but Sheriff Rosco could never seem to catch the Duke brothers in it.

Ford Mustang (1980s)

Built explicitly as a pursuit vehicle, the Mustang Special Service Package mixed a lightweight two-door coupe body with a 157-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8, and a four-speed manual transmission. The car was known as “the Mustang that chases Porsches for a living.”

Chevrolet Caprice (1980s and 1990s)

This car looked like a whale and was black and white. People jokingly referred to it as “Shamu.” Then, in the mid-90’s, it received a new 260-horsepower, 5.7-liter “LT1” V8, and became one of the best all-around police vehicles of all time.

Ford Crown Victoria (1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s)

No police car on this list claims as much market dominance as this one. And just about everyone has ridden in the back of one, since many of them get a second life as a taxi. Unfortunately, Ford canceled the production of the car in 2011.

Ford Police Interceptor (2010s, 2020s)

The Interceptor isn’t a car, it’s an SUV. This modified Ford Explorer has become the most popular motorized vehicle in police fleets today, reaching up to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds.

Mitchell C. procured a used vehicle on behalf of a police officer. He said, “Marci is one of a handful of Humane Society police officers in the state of Pennsylvania. As a Humane Society police officer she serves multiple counties and assumes the same responsibilities and risks as any member of law enforcement. As an officer, she often encounters horrific acts of animal cruelty and animal neglect, which sadly go hand-in-hand with criminal situations of child neglect and drug abuse.”

Using her own vehicle meant putting herself at risk because the animals she served often carried contagious diseases. In response, Mitchel and his family worked together and raised funds for a 2013 Ford Police Interceptor SUV (a former K9 Patrol unit), which was perfectly suited to her needs.

2012 Chevrolet Impala, Sold Price: $2,001.13

Should You Buy a Used Police Car?

Many people have never considered the idea. However, for others, knowing that their vehicle once served the police force, or military, is a source of pride and joy. Now that you’ve seen the pros and cons, do you think buying a used police vehicle is for you? If you like the look of the vehicle, appreciate the extra space and decreased capital cost, and don’t mind paying more for fuel, then it’s a great option, especially if you do your homework. Here’s what you should do next – visit Municibid and consider which police car will make a great fit for you.