Inside This Week’s Police Auction Market – 6 Upcoming Sales inc Seized Vehicles, Recovered Goods & Police Impounds
We track upcoming police, sherriff, and government-seized goods auctions across Australia. This week we feature 6 sales. These sales are a mxed bag and that’s what makes them so interesting. Jewellery, bicycles, tools, electronics, and general property are regular fare, but there are always suprise lots. For more insight click the FAQ section below for common questions,or the Trends section for this weeks market report.
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FAQ
What comes up at police auctions?
Unclaimed found property, stolen goods that went unclaimed by owners, and, less commonly, proceeds of crime forfeitures. Bicycles, power tools, electronics, and general household goods are most common. Seized vehicles occasionally appear through specific court-ordered sales.
Are police auction goods clean title?
Unclaimed found property and abandoned goods are sold as clear title. Court-ordered forfeitures may have specific conditions, always read the sale terms carefully and confirm with the auctioneer before bidding on vehicles.
Is there a PPSR risk on police auction vehicles?
Always run a PPSR check on any vehicle regardless of source simply because it’s so cheap to do so. Even government-disposal vehicles can have encumbrances in rare cases. The auctioneer’s title warranty should cover you, but verify before bidding.
Trends & Insights
Victoria Police is set to move a substantial volume of forfeited and unclaimed goods through Breen Auction Group on August 18, with 258 lots spanning new Apple iPhone 16s, Miele vacuums, Pokemon cards, DeWalt and Milwaukee power tools, e-scooters, bikes, and generators (Breen Auction Group, Aug 13). The single-day format at West Footscray, with viewing from 8am, signals a deliberate push to clear accumulated evidence and lost-property stock quickly. For buyers, the mix of high-value electronics and everyday utility items suggests strong bidding on the Apple lots, while the tool category should draw tradies looking for discounted gear.
Up the eastern seaboard, Slattery Auctions is closing its Newcastle General, Council & Police Auction on August 19, folding police and council assets into a regular NSW disposal cycle (Slattery Auctions, Aug 16). Meanwhile, Pickles continues its rolling Western Australian Government and police-seized vehicle program, offering a steady pipeline of confiscated and surplus transport assets (Pickles Auctions, Aug 17). These recurring sales are the backbone of the sector, giving buyers predictable access to fleet cars and seized stock rather than one-off events.
NSW-based Coastal Antique Auction House is also running an online police auction with recovered items live for viewing as of mid-August (Coastal Antique Auction House, Aug 14). That platform leans toward a different buyer profile, often attracting collectors and resellers hunting for unique forfeited goods that don’t fit the standard vehicle or tool mould. The spread of venues this week, from physical saleyards to digital-only listings, confirms that police and government auctions are no longer a niche channel but a mainstream sourcing route.
Watch the Breen catalogue closely in the days before August 18, as late lot additions are common in police sales, and set your limits early on the iPhone 16s before the room heats up.
Last updated: 17 Aug 2026
Rod’s Tips
Bicycle lots are consistently good value. Police unclaimed property sales regularly include quality bikes that went unreported or unclaimed. Just like any used bike, you’ll likely need to do some repairs and you should factor that into your bidding.
Tool and electronics lots need careful inspection. Power tools at police auctions are often in working condition but may lack accessories or cases. Then, of course, after you buy a charger you find out it doesn’t work! (That’s a common one!)Request a test of anything valuable before the auction closes where inspection is permitted. Otherwise, bid for it’s parts value only.
Major proceeds-of-crime sales are rare and don’t confuse them with routine disposals. The reality is mostly lost bicycles and found phones, not seized luxury cars. Be skeptical of heavily marketed “police auction” events that promise extraordinary finds.
Where I always went wrong at these types of sales You can get some great finds at these sales and most of the people you’ll meet there will be regulars and most likely jewellery traders. They are focused, they never overbid, and they never let a deal slip by. For me, I was never that focussed, just a bargain hunter and I wish I had their focus. I’d get caught by shiny object syndrome, and guaranteed, I’d leave these sales with a collection of stuff that I did not need and would likely have trouble selling. My most important tip to you is simple, focus. Have a list of the lots, mark what you want to bid on after inspection, what its worth after fees, and stick to it. After a string of questionable purchases, and dealing with the varierty of items every sale, I stuck to more consistent sales of things I knew well and knew I could either use or flip succesfully. But, if jewellery, watches,phones, bikes, tools, etc are your thing, then go for it, just be focused.
Victoria
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Victoria Police Auction — TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST 2024
More detail
Breen Auction Group has been the preferred auctioneer for Victoria Police for over 15 years, so the provenance is solid. This is a classic police auction where you’ll find a grab-bag of seized goods, from cordless drills and angle grinders to laptops, tablets, and stereo gear. There’s also general merchandise that could include everything from homewares to sporting equipment.
The key here is that lots are sold as-is, with no returns. That means a sharp eye on the photos and descriptions pays off. If you’re after workshop tools or cheap electronics to flip, this is the kind of sale where a $10 bid can net a $200 item. Just factor in pickup from Sunshine West and bring cash or card on the day.
Don’t expect a polished retail experience. Police auctions are raw, but for the bargain hunter who knows their gear, the value is often in the unknown. Get in early, inspect if you can, and bid smart.
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Sheriff’s Office of Victoria eBid Auction
More detail
This is a statutory disposal, meaning these aren’t your typical trade-in stock. The Sheriff’s Office has seized or repossessed these vehicles, and Autorola is moving them out in one hit. For buyers, that can mean solid daily drivers at sharp prices, but it also means doing your homework on condition and history before bidding.
The seven lots cover a spread of categories, including police auctions and salvage vehicles. That’s a hint you’ll find both roadworthy candidates and project cars. If you’re chasing a cheap runabout for the daily commute, or a donor vehicle for parts, this catalogue has something to work with. Autorola’s online platform keeps the process straightforward, and the close date is set for 19 August 2026, so there’s time to inspect what’s on offer.
New South Wales
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Police Auction
More detail
AllBids has been running online auctions for over 15 years, and this one is a classic clearance of seized and unclaimed property. The catalogue is a mixed bag of everyday items and the occasional surprise. You will find a stack of bicycles, both kids and adult sizes, plus a decent selection of cordless power tools from Makita and DeWalt.
Electronics feature heavily. There are multiple smartphones, tablets, and laptops, including recent iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models. A handful of smartwatches and headphones are also in the mix. For the home, expect small appliances, some new-in-box items, and a collection of jewellery and watches that could hold hidden value.
Buyers should check each lot carefully. Condition varies from new and unused to clearly second-hand. All lots are sold as-is. Bidding is online only. The close date is yet to be confirmed, so keep an eye on the listing for the final countdown.
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Newcastle General, Council & Police Auction
Newcastle General, Council & Police Auction
National / Online
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UNRESERVED Police Seized Vehicles
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This one’s unreserved, which means the highest bid takes it, no messing around. The HiLux tray truck is the kind of workhorse that usually holds its value hard at auction, so it’s worth a serious look if you need a reliable site or farm ute. The Mercedes X-Class is a bit of a left-field pick, but it’s a comfortable tourer with proper dual-cab practicality, and the GWM Cannon is a solid budget-friendly option for a newer utility.
The Audi A3 is a tidy small car with sensible kilometres, and the trailers are the sort of lots that often slip under the radar. Whether you’re chasing a daily driver, a worksite vehicle, or just a decent trailer for the weekend, this sale covers the bases. Lloyds runs these multi-category auctions regularly, and with only six lots in this one, it should wrap up quickly once the timer starts winding down. Check the lot photos and condition reports before bidding, and factor in the buyer’s premium.
Western Australia
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Grays WA Police Impounded Motor Vehicle Auction
More detail
The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is the standout here, a near-new SUV that would normally carry a decent showroom price. It’s a solid pick if you want a modern daily driver without the new-car hit. The Toyota Aurion is the sensible commuter option, while the BMW X5 offers European luxury for those willing to take on a project. The Nissan Patrol ST diesel is the one for off-road types, a proper four-wheel drive with serious touring potential.
All vehicles come from police impound processes, so expect they’ve had a hard life and will need a thorough inspection. Check the condition reports carefully, factor in rego and any repairs, and don’t assume these are pristine. Grays runs these auctions regularly, so if this batch doesn’t suit, there’ll be more soon.
Looking for a something else? Check the AuctionFinder homepage for the latest sales by category and state.
AuctionFinder curates upcoming auctions from established Australian auctioneers. We do not conduct the auctions ourselves and are not affiliated with sellers unless stated. Auction details can change! Please be sure to always confirm dates, terms and conditions directly with the auctioneer.










do these auctions still require a deposit before being able to bid? I remember two years ago I went to one in Vic and they wanted $200 to walk in the door, I walked in the door OK, the door to my car and went somewhere else
Breen Auctions in Victoria ask for a $250 cash-only registration fee to participate in their auctions. The fee is fully refundable on the day if no purchases are made. It seems wild at first, and I get where you are coming from, but it’s no big deal. One benefit, if there was one, is that could make the sale a little more exclusive, meaning more realistic prices.
Do you know of any in Queensland?
they are not listed as such, but keep an eye on McDonald Auctions
Cheers