FlipRichmond is where Virginia's state surplus office is based, and the City of Richmond sells its fleet vehicles through Motley's Auto Auction, which holds weekly public sales on Deepwater Terminal Road. Add IAA's Ashland branch and a Copart yard in Sandston, and the Richmond area is one of the better vehicle-buying markets in the mid-Atlantic.
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 Richmond
Government surplus
- City of Richmond: surplus property: Official page. The city sells surplus through GovDeals and sells its fleet vehicles through Motley's Auto Auction.
- Virginia DGS surplus: public auctions: State surplus auctions and calendar. The state surplus team is based in Richmond.
Related: Government surplus in our directory · How to Buy Government Surplus on GovDeals
Vehicle and salvage auctions
- Motley's Auction: Richmond auction company. The city's surplus page says Motley's Auto Auction (3600 Deepwater Terminal Rd.) holds weekly auctions, Tuesday nights and Friday mornings.
- IAA Richmond branch: Insurance Auto Auctions yard at 10390 Sadisco Dr., Ashland. Salvage and repairable vehicles. Public buyers usually bid through a registered broker.
- Copart Richmond (via A Better Bid): Run lists for the Copart yard in Sandston. 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: Richmond storage auctions: Online storage unit auctions from self-storage facilities in and around Richmond. 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
- EstateSales.net: Richmond estate sales: Upcoming estate sales in the Richmond 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
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.
More statewide sources are on our Virginia 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
- Where does the City of Richmond sell surplus vehicles?
- At Motley's Auto Auction, which the city says holds weekly sales on Tuesday nights and Friday mornings. Other surplus goes to GovDeals.
- Does Virginia hold state surplus auctions in Richmond?
- The state surplus office is in Richmond, and auctions are held with partner auction houses around the state and online. Check the DGS calendar.
- Where is the IAA near Richmond?
- IAA's Richmond branch is in Ashland; Copart's Richmond yard is in Sandston.