How does Virginia sell state surplus?

Through live auctions with partner auction houses around the Commonwealth and online on GovDeals. The DGS public auction calendar lists upcoming dates.

What tax do I pay on an auction car in Virginia?

Virginia's Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax, paid to the DMV when you title the vehicle.

Where are salvage auctions in Virginia?

IAA has branches including Richmond (Ashland), Tidewater (Yorktown) and Suffolk; Copart has yards near Richmond and Hampton, among others.

Virginia Auctions: Surplus, Cars, Storage & Estate Sales

Virginia runs monthly state surplus auctions through partner auction houses across the Commonwealth, plus online sales on GovDeals. Richmond is the hub for state surplus, and Hampton Roads has a large base of military and port-related fleet vehicles moving through salvage and estate channels. Start with the statewide sources below, then open a city page for verified local links.

City guides

Richmond
City of Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield: 7 verified local sources Virginia Beach and Norfolk
Hampton Roads: 8 verified local sources

Statewide sources

Government surplus

Virginia DGS Office of Surplus Property Management: public auctions: Official page for state surplus auctions held with auction houses around Virginia and online, including the public auction calendar.
Virginia DGS: GovDeals from state agencies: How Virginia state agencies sell on GovDeals, with links to browse by location.
GovDeals: Virginia listings: Every Virginia agency selling on GovDeals in one search, filterable by city and seller.

Estate sales and local auction houses

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

Virginia rules worth knowing

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

Sales tax and reselling. The general sales tax rate is 5.3% in most of Virginia, with higher combined rates in some regions such as Hampton Roads. If you buy to resell regularly, you generally need to register with the Virginia Department of Revenue. Registered dealers can give qualifying sellers a resale exemption certificate (Form ST-10). 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). Virginia charges a Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax when you title a vehicle, collected by the DMV. 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 Virginia sell state surplus?: Through live auctions with partner auction houses around the Commonwealth and online on GovDeals. The DGS public auction calendar lists upcoming dates.
What tax do I pay on an auction car in Virginia?: Virginia's Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax, paid to the DMV when you title the vehicle.
Where are salvage auctions in Virginia?: IAA has branches including Richmond (Ashland), Tidewater (Yorktown) and Suffolk; Copart has yards near Richmond and Hampton, among others.

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