The fastest option is not always the most profitable. When it comes to decommissioning government fleet vehicles, trade-ins might feel efficient—but they rarely offer agencies a strong financial return.
If your goal is to maximize value, it is time to rethink how you sell.
Why Trade-Ins Undervalue Your Assets
Dealers are not in the business of paying top dollar. Their offers are based on resale margins and risk, not on what your vehicle is actually worth in the open market. You hand over the keys and receive a fixed amount, with no competition to drive up the price and no say in how that value is determined.
It is easy, but ease comes at a cost. Agencies that rely solely on trade-ins often settle for less without even realizing it.
The Competitive Advantage of Auctions
Public auctions unlock a different kind of sale—one based on market demand, buyer competition, and transparent pricing. GovDeals connects government agencies with more than one million registered buyers. These are resellers, individuals, small businesses, and transportation companies all looking for well-maintained government fleet vehicles.
When multiple buyers are bidding on your listing, value increases naturally. You are not limited to one offer. You are giving the market a voice, and that leads to better outcomes.
Proof in the Numbers
Abilene Public Works considered trading in their 2013 Freightliner Sewer Cleaner Truck for $75,000. Instead, they listed it on GovDeals with a $100,000 reserve. After a four-week auction, the vehicle sold for $164,812.50. That is nearly $90,000 more than the trade-in offer. The extra funds went right back into their operational budget. No delays, no middlemen, and no missed opportunity.
This is not a one-time win. Agencies across the country are seeing similar results when they choose auction over trade-in. It is a smarter use of public resources, and a clear path to maximizing asset value.
Visit govdeals.com to learn how your agency can turn surplus into real results.
