The 1997 Hyundai Sonata GLS seized by the Metropolitan Police Department has few things going for it. Mileage unknown. No keys. Crumpled hood. Bashed passenger-side door. Cracked windshield. Mechanical and engine condition a mystery.
Want to buy it? Bidding starts at $150.
Liquidation.com, the District’s private online auctioneer, is in the midst of its latest seized-vehicle sell-off, with cars varying from a 1993 Ford Thunderbird LX with 189,063 miles and no keys to the featured 1995 Mercedes Benz S320W. Bidding for the 13 vehicles opened on July 20 and closes at 11:15 a.m. Thursday.
The Mercedes, which boasts no keys or an accurate mileage reading, was the leader as of Tuesday morning, with 61 bids pushing the price up to $4,100. A 1999 Mercury Cougar with 117,696 miles was a not-so-close second with a high bid of $2,100.
Liquidity Services Inc., the parent of Liquidation.com, regularly conducts auctions of city assets. Most the properties are seized or forfeited, and all are offered “as is” and “where is.”
Since August 2006, the District has rid itself of nearly $175,000 worth of stuff, including dishwashers, lawn mowers, laptops, tires, ladders, golf clubs, camera equipment, jackhammers, bicycle frames, mixed electronics, power tools, a six-man dome tent and a portable gazebo.
The most expensive auction item was a 2002 Cadillac Deville, which sold Feb. 7 for $12,100.
All money collected is split between MPD and the Department of Health.
The 13 automobiles now up for bid will be available for inspection between 8 a.m. and noon today at the MPD Blue Plains Impoundment Lot, 5001 Shepherd Parkway SW. For information, visit mpdc.dc.gov.
