Car Auction

Car Auction

The Montgomery County Department of Police – Vehicle Recovery Section hosts a monthly auction to sell abandoned/seized vehicles. The auctions are generally held on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Auction Details

Time:

The gates open at 7:30 a.m. and the auction begins at 9:00 a.m. You must be admitted and registered before 9:00 a.m. to participate in the auction. The front gate for admittance closes promptly at 8:45 a.m. and remains closed through the auction. No one will be allowed to enter after 8:45 a.m. unless authorized by the Vehicle Recovery Section Officer-in-Charge (OIC).

Location:
305 Metropolitan Grove Road
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878

Please note that there are no guarantees that all of the listed vehicles will be sold. All vehicles are subject to withdrawal from the sale up to and including at the time of the auction for any reason.

Bidder Policy/Auction Rules:

The VRS reserves the right to refuse any person admission to the monthly auction. Bidders will abide by the following rules. Failure to comply will result in admittance being denied and/or a bidder being removed/banned from the property for auction purposes.

Parking:
Attendees may only park in the VRS parking lot if disabled or approved by the OIC. Vehicles equipped to tow a vehicle may park on property in an area determined by VRS personnel. Those persons needing disability parking are further permitted to park in the area reserved for tow-equipped vehicles.

Entry:

• Persons 18 years and older and persons 16 & 17 years old accompanied by an adult legal guardian may enter and attend the auction.
• All persons who enter must possess a valid pictured identification card. The identification card must be officially issued by any US or US State government and must possess a valid address. Passports are not an acceptable form of identification for neither entry nor payment purposes.
• There is no entry fee.
• All auction policies and rules for the auction must be adhered to by participants.
• No entry to the auction will be allowed after 8:45 a.m., unless approved by the OIC. The auction starts at 9:00 a.m.
• Umbrellas, backpacks, or other types of bags are not permitted. Wallet-size clutches no larger than 5″x7″, medical bags and parenting bags no larger than 14″x14″x6″ will be permitted and subject to security screening.
• NO open toed shoes allowed, i.e. flip flops/sandals.
• Persons who enter the auction and then leave the property cannot re-enter without a paid sales receipt.
• Any person caught illegally removing any property from the area will be permanently banned and may be arrested for theft. This is a police facility, all applicable laws shall be enforced.

Bidders:

• Any behavior deemed to be a disruption or failure to follow the bidder rules will be cause for removal. The individual may also be banned from future auctions for a timeframe determined by the OIC.
• Absolutely no cell phone use from opening announcements to the conclusion of the auction. If there is an emergency you must move out of earshot from the announcer prior to using a phone.
• Bidder’s must be at least 18 years of age to participate in the auction and will possess a valid pictured identification card for entry and payment. The identification card must be officially issued by any US or US State government and must possess a valid address. Passports are not an acceptable form of identification.
• Person’s 16 & 17 years of age may enter with an adult legal guardian. The minor must possess proper identification as noted above. The minor will not be permitted to bid on any vehicles.
• Bidders and minors permitted to enter the auction will not be allowed to leave the property and re-enter without a paid sales receipt.
• Bidders may only enter the area of the lot the auction is taking place in. There will be no entry into other areas of the lot. Entering unauthorized areas of the lot may be grounds for removal and being banned from participating in future auctions.
• Bidders may only park in the VRS parking lot if disabled or approved by the OIC.

Vehicles:

• Vehicles are sold under the principle of “caveat emptor”, the buyer alone is responsible for checking the quality and suitability of goods before a purchase is made.
• Vehicles sold at auction are “as is/where it sits”, there is no guarantee that the vehicle is operable, is repairable, or that a title will be made available. There will be no refunds after payment, unless authorized by the OIC. All sales are final.
• The auction list will be posted on the police website and in the Circuit Court of Maryland for Montgomery County. Note that a vehicle appearing on the list may not be available at auction.
• There is no implied or expressed guarantee that a key to open or operate the vehicle is available, even if there is a “K” marked on the vehicle.
• Vehicles with an orange cone are not available for auction and should not be touched, entered, or disturbed in any way.
• No miscellaneous items will be sold.

Payment Rules:

• Bidders winning a bid to purchase a vehicle will not possess ownership of the vehicle until all payment for the vehicle has been finalized.
• Payment procedures will be in compliance with VRS policy.
• Payments for purchased vehicles must be made no later than 1:00 p.m. or end of auction or the sale is void.
• Bidders must have the ability to pay for a vehicle won at auction without leaving the premises – no exceptions!
• The Vehicle Recovery Section accepts as payment: cash, Discover Card, Visa, and MasterCard.
• Failure to pay for a vehicle after winning the bid will result in the bidder being banned from future auctions for a timeframe determined by the OIC.
• Once a vehicle is won at bid, the vehicle and the contents are the winning bidder’s responsibility to secure. There will be no dumping of trash in the lot. Dumpsters are provided for non-hazardous materials (no tires, oil, or other special disposition items).

Removing Vehicles After Payment:

Houston (TX)

Take the W. Mount Houston / SH 249 from Interstate 45. Take W. Mount Houston Rd. west for 1 mile. IAA branch located on left (South) side of the road.

Working Hours

• Auction: Open to public buyers.
• Onsite Preview: Vehicle preview is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time the day before the scheduled auction.

• Office Hours: Mon – Fri 8am – 5pm (CT)
• Yard Hours: Mon – Fri 8am – 4:30pm (CT)

Nearby Branches

• Houston-North – 6 Miles
• Houston South – 38 Miles
• Austin – 128 Miles

Auctions

Wednesday, 09:30 AM (CDT)

Wednesday, 09:30 AM (CDT)

Wednesday, 09:30 AM (CDT)

Branch Notes

Every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. CT

Onsite Preview

Vehicle preview is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time the day before the scheduled auction.

Payment

The following are standard payment options: In Person: Cash, Credit Card (less than $250) or Certified Check., Online : I-Pay (Licensed Business Buyer) or Wire Transfer View Details

Days to Pay

Domestic Buyer : Day vehicle was awarded + 2 day(s)
Foreign Buyer: Day vehicle was awarded + 4 day(s)

Payment is due by 5:00PM branch local time on payment due date
Late Fee: $50.00 or 2% (whichever is greater)

Vehicle Pick Up

Mon – Fri 8am – 4:30pm (CT)

Branch yards close earlier than the offices to allow extra time for pullout/loading.

Transport drivers and towers are required to wear a highly visible safety vest anytime on IAA property.

IAA loaders are not permitted to lift anything greater than 11,000 lbs. Transporters must have the correct equipment, the qualification to use the equipment and acknowledge they are solely responsible for loading these items.

Days to Pick Up

Domestic and Foreign Buyer
Purchases must be secured within 5 business days of purchase. If the vehicles are not picked up within this period, IAA will pick up the vehicle and transport it to our nearest facility (standard fees for transportation and storage will apply). Number of free storage days: Day vehicle was awarded + 4 day(s)

Payment is due by 5:00PM branch local time on payment due date
Storage Fee: $50.00

Asset Forfeiture

The Asset Forfeiture Program was created in 1984 when Congress passed the Comprehensive Crime Control Act, which provided federal prosecutors and agents the legal and regulatory tools necessary to keep up with, and ahead of, those who commit crime for economic benefit. The U.S. Marshals Service plays a critical role in identifying and evaluating assets that represent the proceeds of crime as well as efficiently managing and selling assets seized and forfeited by Department of Justice.

Announcement

U.S. Marshals Service announces important as well as interesting information on front page.

New Unified Financial Management System Vendor Request Form

Asset Forfeiture payees can now securely submit vendor request forms using the new online UFMS Vendor Request Form. _{The legacy PDF forms are still available until September 30th, 2025.}

Program Overview

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) manages a wide array of assets including real estate, commercial businesses, cash, financial instruments, vehicles, jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, vessels and aircraft. Proceeds generated from asset sales are used to operate the program, compensate victims and support various law enforcement efforts.

The Marshals manage the distribution of proceeds and payments to victims of crime and other innocent third parties, all of which helps to mitigate the financial damage inflicted by criminal activity. The agency employs best practices from private industry to ensure that assets are managed and sold in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

We support communities by transferring certain types of forfeited assets to state, local and nonprofit organizations. Through the Operation Goodwill program, forfeited real or personal property of marginal value can be transferred to state or local governments in support of drug abuse treatment, drug crime prevention and education, housing, job skills and other community-based public health and safety programs.

If you have questions, please contact us at (202) 307-9100.

Real Property

Personal Property

Help a Rescue Dog – The United States Marshals Service (USMS) supports the removal of canines from illegal fighting situations nationwide as a part of its integral role in the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program.

Current U.S. Marshals Service Auctions

• Apple Auctioneering
• Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers
• Skipco Auto Auction
  • Live Vehicle Auction (Auction Date: August 20, 2025 at 1:00pm ET)
  • 1979 Bombardier Lear Jet 25D (Auction Ends: August 21, 2025 at 3:00pm)
  • 2001 Thompson 3400 Santa Cruz (Live Auction: August 19, 2025 from 9:00am ET to 4:00pm ET)

  Asset Forfeiture Payees

  Asset forfeiture payees are required to complete a valid Unified Financial Management System (UFMS) Vendor Request Form to receive payment. Generally, valid submissions must be completed electronically, must contain a valid Consolidated Asset Tracking System (CATS) Party Identification Number or, in the case of Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Program payees, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Code, and valid nine-digit American Bankers Association (ABA) Routing Number.

  Unified Financial Management System Vendor Request Form

  All submissions are reviewed by the U.S. Marshals Service Asset Forfeiture Division (AFD) for accuracy within five (5) business days. The submitter of the form, and if different, the e-mail address provided on the payee’s form will receive an automated e-mail from Asset Forfeiture Division Forms (indicating the status of their submission.

  If you need assistance completing the Unified Financial Management System Vendor Request Form, please call and leave a voicemail at (703) 740-9326 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Please be sure to reference your CATS Party ID Number or, in the case of DOJ Equitable Sharing Program payees, NCIC Code in your correspondence so that we can assist you faster.

  Form Types

  Below is a list of Unified Financial Management System Vendor Request Form purpose options. Please review the list and descriptions to determine which purpose is applicable.

  Adoption Decline/Return to State and Local

  This purpose is meant for State and local Law Enforcement Agencies looking to (re)obtain seized cash after the federal government has declined forfeiture or adoption. Typically, the State and local Law Enforcement Agency is pursuing forfeiture at the State level.

  Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Payment

  This purpose is meant for State and local Law Enforcement Agencies attempting to enroll or update banking information for Department of Justice Equitable Sharing payments.

  Granted Petition Payment

  This purpose is meant for granted petition for remission/mitigation letters from the Criminal Division; otherwise known as the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), or Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

  Return of Funds/Settlement Payment

  This purpose is meant for the return of seized cash, court ordered third party payments, and settlement payments as directed by the Seizing Agency (examples, FBI, DEA, ATF) or United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) as appropriate.

  Non-Citizen (Domestic) Payment

  This purpose is meant for any domestic (United States) based payment to a non-citizen (alien) resident who does not have a Tax ID Number.

  Tort Claim Payment

  This purpose is meant for granted tort claim letters from the United States Marshals Service, Office of General Counsel.

  Important Reminders

  Source: https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/asset-forfeiture