BISMARCK, ND – The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) broke records for both total sale and average price per vehicle with the prices it received at a June 7 public auction, according to Paul Hanson, CAFM, director of NDDOT State Fleet Services.

The NDDOT received $649,950 for 69 vehicles sold that day, for an average of $9,419 per vehicle. The typical average sale price for auctions with similar vehicles is between $7,500 and $8,500. A September 2011 sale averaged $9,134 on 50 vehicles sold.

“The North Dakota economy is strong, and there is a shortage of good used vehicles. In addition to the general public, some automotive dealers have been there purchasing vehicles to place on their used car lots,” Hanson said.

The auction brought in 141 registered bidders from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, Hanson stated. Auctioned vehicles included sedans, pick-up and dump trucks, vans, plows, police sedans, and a police SUV. Vehicles are checked over mechanically and cleaned by a detailer inside and out prior to the sale so they are road-ready, Hanson said.

The NDDOT conducts seven live auctions annually, selling 50-70 vehicles each time. A PDF of the auction results in detail can be found on the NDDOT website.