How does the City of Chicago sell vehicles?

Through online auctions on Public Surplus. Vehicles are located at the city's surplus auction yard on S. Stony Island Ave.

Is iBid only for state surplus?

No. Many Illinois local governments also sell on iBid.

Where are the salvage yards near Chicago?

IAA has branches in East Dundee, Markham and Aurora; Copart has yards in the Chicago area, Wheeling and Bartlett.

Chicago, IL Auctions: Surplus, Car, Storage & Estate Sales

Chicago's Department of Procurement Services sells city vehicles and equipment on Public Surplus from its auction yard on South Stony Island Avenue, and bidding often starts low on retired police and fleet vehicles. The metro has three IAA branches and three Copart yards, plus Freeman's (formerly Hindman), one of the major US auction houses.

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 Chicago

Government surplus

City of Chicago: surplus, vehicles, auctions: Official page for city online auctions, with the Surplus Auction Yard at 10101 S. Stony Island Ave.
Public Surplus: City of Chicago: The city's Public Surplus storefront (vehicles, trucks, equipment).
iBid (State of Illinois): State and local government surplus from across Illinois, weekly.

Vehicle and salvage auctions

IAA Chicago North branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 605 Healy Rd., East Dundee. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
IAA Chicago South branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 16425 Crawford Ave., Markham. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
IAA Chicago West branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 280 E. Sullivan Rd., Aurora. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
Copart Chicago (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in the Chicago area. A Better Bid is a Copart broker that lets public buyers bid without a dealer license (broker fees apply).
Copart Wheeling (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in Wheeling. A Better Bid is a Copart broker that lets public buyers bid without a dealer license (broker fees apply).
Copart Bartlett (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in Bartlett. A Better Bid is a Copart broker that lets public buyers bid without a dealer license (broker fees apply).

Storage unit auctions

StorageTreasures: Chicago storage auctions: Online storage unit auctions from self-storage facilities in and around Chicago. Save a search to get alerts on new units.

Estate sales and local auction houses

Freeman's (formerly Hindman): Major auction house headquartered in Chicago, handling estates, collections and appraisals.
EstateSales.net: Chicago estate sales: Upcoming estate sales in the Chicago area, with photos, addresses and the company running each sale.

Illinois rules worth knowing

General information only, not legal or tax advice. Check with the agency before you rely on it.

Sales tax and reselling. Illinois's state sales tax rate is 6.25%, and local taxes push it higher in most cities, especially Chicago. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Illinois Department of Revenue. Registered retailers can give qualifying sellers a resale certificate for items bought for resale. 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). Tax on vehicles depends on who sold it (dealer or private party) and is generally paid when you title it with the Illinois Secretary of State. 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 Illinois auctions page.

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Frequently asked questions

How does the City of Chicago sell vehicles?: Through online auctions on Public Surplus. Vehicles are located at the city's surplus auction yard on S. Stony Island Ave.
Is iBid only for state surplus?: No. Many Illinois local governments also sell on iBid.
Where are the salvage yards near Chicago?: IAA has branches in East Dundee, Markham and Aurora; Copart has yards in the Chicago area, Wheeling and Bartlett.

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