Public auctions

We hold public auctions on the first Thursday of each month at the Impound Lot.

• 8 a.m. – Registration begins
• 9 a.m. – Inspection begins
• 10:30 a.m. – Auction begins

Friedrichs Auctions handles the City's vehicle auctions. Friedrichs Auctions is solely responsible for the accuracy and appropriateness of the information on its website. 

See vehicles and upcoming auction schedule

Auction rules

• You must be at least 18 years old to attend.
• Only people with bidding numbers ($5, nonrefundable) will be allowed in.
• There's a minimum bid of $10 unless otherwise specified.
• You must pay for the vehicle in full at the auction.

Accepted forms of payment

You can pay with cash, preapproved business checks, American Express, Visa or MasterCard.

License plates

Vehicles sold at auction do not have license plates. Twenty-one-day permits (temporary registration) are available at the Impound Lot at no charge. You'll need one before you can drive the vehicle out of the lot.

Vehicle titles

The bill of sale for the vehicle will be mailed to you in one to two weeks. With the bill of sale, you can apply for a title and new license plates at Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS). On the back of the bill of sale is a safety check that the vehicle must pass before you can apply for a title.

Driver and Vehicle Services requires salvaged or rebuilt vehicles to be inspected. The nearest inspection station is in St. Paul.

Visit Driver and Vehicle Services or call 651-282-2173.

Dealer auctions

Only licensed parts, scrap metal or salvage dealers may attend dealer auctions, which are held at the Minneapolis Impound Lot on scheduled Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. On the first Thursday of the month, the public auction is held at 10:30 a.m., and the dealer auction follows it.

Recovery of proceeds from Impound Lot sale

If your vehicle was sold in an auction, you may be able to collect money from your vehicle sale.

Options for recovering proceeds

The City will reimburse you pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 168B.08, Subd. 3, if any extra proceeds were collected and you

1. Submit a claim on time
2. Were the owner of the vehicle at the time of sale

The City will not reimburse you if your vehicle was sold for less than the City’s recoverable costs under Minn. Stat. § 168B.08, Subd. 3. 

How to file a claim

File a claim form

You may also contact the Impound Lot and ask us to mail you a claim form.

You can also pick up a claim form at the Impound Lot.