Six NYC car auctions coming this month
Buyers must pay cash, arrange their own towing, and clear vehicles from the lot within four days or face daily storage fees.
By Robert Marshall ·
New York City is holding six public auctions in November to sell vehicles that were impounded or declared abandoned. The events are spread across four of the city's five boroughs, offering residents a chance to bid on cars ranging from daily drivers to a 1964 Alfa Romeo. Participants should be aware that the winning bid is not the final cost, as buyers must handle all removal and registration expenses themselves.
The auction schedule begins on Wednesday, November 4, with sales in the Bronx and Queens. These two boroughs host sales again the following day on November 5. Brooklyn holds two separate auction days, scheduled for Friday, November 6, and Tuesday, November 10. The Bronx receives a third auction date on Friday, November 13. The final scheduled event takes place on Monday, November 16, in Staten Island. The city notes that not every vehicle will be available at every location, so buyers must check which specific cars are listed for each venue.
Payment terms require bidders to act quickly. Once a sale is finalized, the buyer must pay the full amount in cash immediately. There is no option to pay by check or credit card after the hammer falls. This requirement means interested parties need to have the funds ready before entering the bidding process.
Removal of the vehicle is the buyer's sole responsibility. The city does not provide transportation or delivery services. Vehicles must be taken from the specific towing yard where they are stored. In many cases, the car will not be drivable, requiring the buyer to hire a tow truck. The towing yard may also charge an additional fee to release the vehicle from its lot, a cost that is separate from the auction price.
Strict deadlines apply to the removal process. Vehicles must be picked up before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the day of the auction. If a car remains in the lot past that time, the owner incurs a storage charge of $20 per day. If the vehicle is not towed away within 96 hours of the 5:00 p.m. deadline, the city considers it abandoned again and will remove it.
New owners cannot drive the car home immediately after buying it. City rules state that an impounded vehicle cannot park on public streets or be driven until the new owner has valid license plates and a title in their name. To get the title, the buyer must present the Certificate of Sale to the Department of Motor Vehicles. This document proves the car was bought at the auction and allows the DMV to issue a new title.
Detailed information about the inventory is available on the city's official Department of Finance website. The portal lists the specific vehicles included in each sale and provides the location for each event. Buyers are advised to review the condition of the cars and calculate all potential extra costs, such as towing and paperwork, before placing a bid. The 1964 Alfa Romeo is one of the notable classic models expected to draw collector interest among the lot.
