How does Ohio sell state surplus?

Through GovDeals. You register on GovDeals to bid, and inventory can be viewed in Columbus by appointment.

Where do I title an auction car in Ohio?

At a county clerk of courts title office, where sales tax is collected. Register through the BMV.

Where are salvage auctions in Ohio?

IAA has branches near Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron-Canton and Dayton; Copart has yards near Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton.

Ohio Auctions: Surplus, Cars, Storage & Estate Sales

Ohio sells state surplus to the public through GovDeals, and its three biggest counties each run their own surplus programs, from Cuyahoga County's live auctions to Hamilton County's own online auction site. Every major metro has an IAA branch and established estate auction firms. Start with the statewide sources below, then open a city page for verified local links.

City guides

Columbus
Franklin County: 7 verified local sources Cleveland
Cuyahoga County: 6 verified local sources Cincinnati
Hamilton County: 5 verified local sources

Statewide sources

Government surplus

Ohio DAS: State and Federal Surplus Services: Official state page. Ohio state surplus, including vehicles, is sold to the public through GovDeals; inventory can be viewed in Columbus by appointment.
GovDeals: Ohio listings: Every Ohio agency selling on GovDeals in one search, filterable by city and seller.

Estate sales and local auction houses

AuctionZip: Ohio auctions: Statewide calendar of auctioneers' upcoming estate, farm, equipment and consignment sales in Ohio.

Ohio rules worth knowing

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

Sales tax and reselling. Ohio's state sales tax is 5.75%, plus county taxes. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Ohio Department of Revenue. With a vendor's license, you can give qualifying sellers an exemption 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). Sales tax on vehicles is generally paid when you title the vehicle at a county clerk of courts title office; registration is through the BMV. 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.

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Frequently asked questions

How does Ohio sell state surplus?: Through GovDeals. You register on GovDeals to bid, and inventory can be viewed in Columbus by appointment.
Where do I title an auction car in Ohio?: At a county clerk of courts title office, where sales tax is collected. Register through the BMV.
Where are salvage auctions in Ohio?: IAA has branches near Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron-Canton and Dayton; Copart has yards near Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton.

All locations →