Online auctions are a popular vehicle in many states for selling off surplus equipment and vehicles - and ADOT uses them, too. The agency started doing them in 2014 ... and they've been wildly successful. 

Fleet manager Gary Lowe says in 2014, 117 items were auctioned off, bringing in more than $698,000. In 2015, revenue from online auctions totaled $2.3 million.

Although revenues decreased between 2016 and 2019, they jumped again in 2020. That's when ADOT became responsible for auctioning all surplus state vehicles ‒ 952 items were sold for $4.1 million. That number was inflated by a 300 vehicle backlog ADOT inherited from the Arizona Department of Administration.

"For 2020, the average revenue received for each vehicle is 3.8 times higher than the expected Blue Book value," Lowe said. "Customers like state-owned vehicles due to the regular maintenance, no rust. And, used cars are in high demand right now. Revenue usually goes back to the agency that owns the vehicle."

How did this idea get started? "In my prior work with the City of Tucson we had been using online auctions for many years," Lowe said. "When I came to ADOT in 2013, I saw an opportunity to increase sales revenue and make the auction process more efficient."

The projected revenue from such auctions, Lowe says, is expected to increase even more in the next five years - especially with used-vehicle prices increasing.

So, if you're thinking about grabbing a used snowplow or pickup, get more details here. You'll find out how to bid, set up an online account at the site ADOT uses, and much more!

It used to be if you were in the market for a used ADOT snowplow, you’d have to wait until the department held one of its semi-annual auctions to see if you could snag one. But now there’s a new, more convenient option.

Starting July 1, ADOT made the switch to online auctions.

That means ADOT’s used vehicles, older construction equipment and other surplus items will be put up for bid more frequently as they become available throughout the year (until now, ADOT has held a public auction one or two times a year at an agency equipment yard in Phoenix).

If you want to bid, you’ll need to register online (for free) at publicsurplus.com. Once you’re there, just select Arizona as the region and Arizona Department of Transportation as the participating agency. Discover, MasterCard and VISA credit cards will also now be accepted as payment options. Online auctions will typically run for 14 days.

Full descriptions of each item, along with photos and disclosures of any known issues, will be provided on the auction website.

Potential bidders also will be able to schedule an appointment to inspect items during each auction period by contacting ADOT Fleet Management. Information on how to schedule an appointment is listed on the auction website.

Winning bidders of items will receive an email notification and then have five days to pay for the items and pick them up at the ADOT Equipment Services Yard, 2225 S. 22nd Ave., Phoenix.

Bidders should be aware that any ADOT vehicles and equipment will be auctioned and sold on an “as-is” basis.

If you want to take a look at how ADOT has conducted auctions in the past and get a glimpse of some of the items we’ve sold before, check out our previous blog posts (including this one that shows an auction back in 1969).

It’s that time again…

ADOT is getting ready to host its fall auction on Saturday, Nov. 2 in Phoenix.

That means if you’re in the market for a used pickup truck, attenuator or maybe even a snowplow, it might be worth a trip to the ADOT Equipment Services auction yard for a look at what’s available.

If you’re not familiar with these auctions, here’s some of what you need to know…

They serve as a way for ADOT to dispose of its surplus vehicles and equipment, but before one is scheduled, surplus items are offered for sale at fair market value to other state agencies, local government agencies, school districts and eligible nonprofit institutions.

ADOT's auction is on Nov. 2 in Phoenix.

All items not sold to other agencies are then rolled over to the general public auction.

Everything that is for sale at the public auction is surplus property of ADOT, including light cars and trucks, heavy trucks, construction equipment and specialized equipment such as arrow boards, message boards, air compressors, water tanks, etc.

Items sold at ADOT’s public auction do not include any warranty. All items are sold “as-is, where-is.” All items should be inspected by a qualified technician prior to operation.

You can find everything else that you need to know, on the ADOT Equipment Services Auction Web page, including the auction list.

This weekend’s auction

ADOT’s fall auction will include 61 pickups, 14 sedans, three vans and a lot more surplus equipment.

Potential bidders are encouraged to inspect the equipment in advance during any of the three pre-auction inspection days: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday through Friday (Oct. 30-Nov. 1).

The actual auction is Saturday, Nov. 2 at the ADOT Equipment Services Auction Yard, 2350 S. 22nd Ave. in Phoenix. Gates open at 6 a.m. and bidding starts promptly at 8 a.m.

To avoid delays and lines, potential bidders can register for the auction ahead of time during the Wednesday – Friday pre-auction inspection days. All potential bidders must pre-register in person. Bidders will also be able to register the day of the auction when the gates open.

ADOT encourages those who plan on attending to dress appropriately for the outdoor event. Please wear proper footwear, use sunscreen, wear a hat and bring some drinking water.

For more on ADOT’s past auctions, check out our previous blog posts.

Looking for a used car? Or, maybe you’re in the market for a pickup truck? How about an old snowplow – got any room in your garage for one of those?

If so, you might want to head over to ADOT’s annual spring auction on April 6 at the ADOT Equipment Services yard, 2350 S. 22nd Ave., Phoenix 85009. Gates open at 6 a.m. and bidding starts promptly at 8 a.m.

ADOT will auction vehicles, including 31 sedans, 86 pickups and 10 snowplows, as well as other surplus equipment that has been replaced or used beyond its life cycle with the agency – think front-end loaders, dump trucks, air compressors, message boards and even a few attenuators.

Potential bidders can visit the auction yard before the auction to inspect the available vehicles and other items. The pre-auction inspection is open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. today and tomorrow (April 3-4) at the equipment services yard (2350 S. 22nd Ave. in Phoenix).

DOT is auctioning vehicles, including 86 pickups and 31 sedans.

To avoid delays and lines, ADOT provides potential bidders with the opportunity to register for the auction ahead of time. Pre-registration hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. through tomorrow (April 4) at the equipment services yard. All potential bidders must pre-register in person. Bidders will also be able to register the day of the auction when the gates open.

ADOT encourages those who plan on attending to dress appropriately for the outdoor event. Please wear proper footwear, use sunscreen, wear a hat and bring some drinking water.

The ADOT vehicles and equipment will be sold on an “as-is, where-is” basis. More information about the auction is available on the Equipment Services Web page, under the “auction” tab.

If you’re in the market for a snowplow, Saturday might just end up being your lucky day...

That’s when Equipment Services will hold a public auction (basically ADOT’s version of a garage sale) and there’s a long list of items up for purchase, including that snowplow.

Also on the block: assorted sedans, a few dozen trucks, some shop manuals, warning lights, a diode tester, an attenuator truck, message boards, front end loaders, dozers and even a highway debris pickup machine! 

These auctions serve as a way for ADOT to dispose of its surplus vehicles and equipment, but before one is scheduled, surplus items are offered for sale at fair market value to other state agencies, local government agencies, school districts and eligible nonprofit institutions.

All items not sold to other agencies are then rolled over to the general public auction.

How does the auction work?

Items are available for inspection between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday (3/29) and Friday (3/30) at ADOT’s Equipment Services yard, 2350 S.22nd Ave. in Phoenix.

Bidders can head to that same location for the auction on Saturday, March 31 – registration starts at 8 a.m. and the auction kicks off at 10 a.m. So beat the crowds ... come early to register and look around!

There is no cost to register, simply come in and fill out a bidder registration card. As the auction progresses, you’ll flash your bidder card at the auctioneer to indicate your bid on a particular item.

A few things to keep in mind …

• Accepted payment forms include cash, money order, certified check or cashier’s check. Money orders and checks should be made payable to ADOT. Personal checks and company checks will NOT be accepted.
• A 7.3 percent sales tax will be added to the selling price of each item. Exception allowed only upon presentation of a state privilege (sales) license or state use license. Bidders claiming tax exempt status will need to bring the original tax exemption license with them at time of bidder registration.
• Vehicles sold at ADOT’s public auction are not licensed. However, one-trip permits can be purchased at a cost of $1 each. The one-trip permit will allow a person to operate an unregistered vehicle from a specified origin to a specified destination. The one-trip permit will be valid for a period of not greater than three days, excluding weekends and holidays.
• All items are sold “As Is – Where Is.” Deficiencies, when known, will be indicated. However, absence of any indication does not mean the item may not have deficiencies. All items should be inspected by a qualified technician prior to operation. Neither the state of Arizona, nor any of its departments or institutions, nor the auctioneer, make any guarantee or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, as to the condition of the articles offered for sale.
• Pursuant to state law, any motor vehicle, painted yellow, owned or operated by the state, shall, if sold or transferred to a private owner, be repainted a different color by such private owner before it may be driven on the public highways of the state.

Visit ADOT’s Equipment Services website for more auction information.

Important Notice: Arizona Administrative Code is R2-15-303, Section E-5.
An employee of the owning or disposing agency shall not directly or indirectly purchase or agree with another person to purchase State surplus property if said employee is or has been, directly or indirectly involved in the purchase, maintenance, preparation for sale, or disposal of the surplus material.