{"id":4492,"date":"2026-02-02T15:01:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T15:01:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/online-car-auction-minnesota\/"},"modified":"2026-10-24T21:44:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T21:44:25","slug":"online-car-auction-minnesota","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/online-car-auction-minnesota\/","title":{"rendered":"Online Car Auctions in Minnesota: Where the Public Can Bid (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"

You live in Minnesota, you want a car at auction prices, and you don\u2019t have a dealer license. Most \u201cMinnesota car auction\u201d lists send you to dealer-only sales you can\u2019t get into. This guide covers where Minnesota buyers can actually bid, what each option is like, and what happens with title and tax after you win.<\/p>\n

Where Minnesota buyers can bid without a dealer license<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Option<\/th>\nHow you bid<\/th>\nWhat\u2019s sold<\/th>\nGood to know<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Remarket Space (Elk River)<\/td>\nOnline, live auctions plus Buy Now<\/td>\nInspected used cars, trucks, SUVs, boats and powersports<\/td>\nDelivered to you; free history report; 3-day guarantee on eligible cars<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
State of Minnesota surplus (MNBid)<\/td>\nOnline and live auctions<\/td>\nRetired state fleet vehicles and equipment<\/td>\nSold as-is; you collect the vehicle<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
City impound auctions<\/td>\nIn person<\/td>\nAbandoned and impounded vehicles<\/td>\nSold as-is; often no keys; must be towed out<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Salvage auctions (Copart, IAA)<\/td>\nOnline<\/td>\nInsurance total losses and damaged cars<\/td>\nMany lots require a dealer license or broker; check each listing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dealer-only auctions (Manheim, ADESA)<\/td>\nLicensed dealers only<\/td>\nOff-lease and fleet cars<\/td>\nNot open to the public<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

State surplus auctions<\/h3>\n

The State of Minnesota sells retired fleet vehicles, trucks and equipment through MNBid<\/a>, the state\u2019s official auction site, and through live surplus auctions run by the Department of Administration. Expect high-mileage fleet vehicles sold as-is. You inspect and pick up the vehicle yourself.<\/p>\n

City impound auctions<\/h3>\n

Minneapolis holds a public impound auction<\/a> on the first Thursday of each month; dealer-only sales follow it. Vehicles sell without plates and must be towed off the lot, and salvaged or rebuilt vehicles need a Driver and Vehicle Services inspection. Other Minnesota cities, such as Moorhead, run their own impound sales.<\/p>\n

Salvage auctions<\/h3>\n

Copart has yards in Blaine, Ham Lake and Avon, and IAA has one in St. Paul. Many of their lots are limited to licensed dealers or dismantlers, so check the listing\u2019s buyer requirements, or use a broker, before you bid.<\/p>\n

Buying from Remarket Space<\/h2>\n

Remarket Space is an online auction and marketplace based at 9643 161st Ave NW in Elk River. It\u2019s open to the public, with no dealer license needed.<\/p>\n