FlipLos Angeles is the largest salvage market in the country, with IAA branches in Gardena, Wilmington and North Hollywood plus Copart yards in Long Beach and the Inland Empire. Los Angeles County sells surplus through bids and auctions, and LA's auction houses range from century-old Abell to full-service estate liquidators.
Every link below was checked in October 2026. FlipTheBid is not affiliated with these agencies or companies. Listings change, so confirm terms on each site.
Where to buy at auction in Los Angeles
Government surplus
- Los Angeles County: surplus property: Official county page explaining how surplus, unclaimed and abandoned property is sold through for-sale bids and auctions.
Related: Government surplus in our directory · How to Buy Government Surplus on GovDeals
Vehicle and salvage auctions
- IAA Los Angeles branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 18300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- IAA Los Angeles South branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 1903 Blinn Ave., Wilmington. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- IAA North Hollywood branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 7245 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- Copart Long Beach (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in Wilmington / Long Beach. A Better Bid is a Copart broker that lets public buyers bid without a dealer license (broker fees apply).
- Copart San Bernardino (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in Colton (Inland Empire). A Better Bid is a Copart broker that lets public buyers bid without a dealer license (broker fees apply).
Related: Vehicle and salvage auctions in our directory · How to Buy Cars at Public and Salvage Auctions
Storage unit auctions
- StorageTreasures: Los Angeles storage auctions: Online storage unit auctions from self-storage facilities in and around Los Angeles. Save a search to get alerts on new units.
Related: Storage unit auctions in our directory · How Storage Unit Auctions Work
Estate sales and local auction houses
- Abell Auction Company: Los Angeles auction house established in 1916, handling estates and collections.
- Hughes Estate Auctions: Los Angeles-area estate liquidation and live/online auction company.
- EstateSales.net: Los Angeles estate sales: Upcoming estate sales in the Los Angeles area, with photos, addresses and the company running each sale.
Related: Estate sales and local auction houses in our directory · How to Price and Resell on eBay
California rules worth knowing
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.
- Sales tax and reselling. California's statewide base sales tax rate is 7.25%, and district taxes push most areas higher. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the California Department of Revenue. With a seller's permit from CDTFA, you can give qualifying sellers a California resale certificate. Government auctions may still charge tax unless you provide the paperwork they ask for.
- Vehicles: titles and taxes. Make sure you get a properly assigned title (or the documents the auction specifies). If you buy a vehicle from a private party or non-dealer, use tax is generally paid to the DMV when you register it. Smog certification rules also apply to many vehicles. Title and register through the state motor vehicle agency. Salvage-branded vehicles need extra steps before they can be driven on the road again.
- Storage auctions. Facilities must follow the state's notice and advertising rules before a lien sale, and tenants can often pay and pull a unit right up to the sale.
- Buying across state lines. The selling state's tax and pickup rules usually apply at the time of sale.
More statewide sources are on our California auctions page.
Haul it, store it, ship it
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- Pirate Ship: Free shipping-label software with discounted USPS and UPS rates. No subscription.
- uShip: Marketplace for shipping furniture, equipment and vehicles.
- Montway Auto Transport: Door-to-door car shipping quotes.
- Neighbor: Rent garages and spare space from locals, often cheaper than a storage unit. You can also list your own space.
- SpareFoot: Compare and reserve self-storage units near you.
Frequently asked questions
- How does Los Angeles County sell surplus?
- Through for-sale bids and auctions, run by the county or a third-party auctioneer. The county page has contact details for the Countywide Surplus Equipment Program.
- Which salvage yards serve LA?
- IAA has branches in Gardena, Wilmington and North Hollywood; Copart has yards in Long Beach and Colton.
- Do I need a smog check for an auction car in California?
- Many vehicles need a smog certification to register. Check DMV rules before you bid.