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You’re not buying someone’s neglected commuter car. These Ford Explorer Police Interceptors were built different from day one.
The standard 3.3L hybrid pushes 318 combined horsepower. The available 3.0L EcoBoost hits 400. Both come with full-time Intelligent AWD calibrated specifically for pursuit driving, which means better handling stability whether you’re navigating Jersey City’s tight streets or merging onto the Turnpike in bad weather.
These vehicles passed Ford’s 75 mph rear-impact crash test. They’re engineered with heavy-duty suspension, reinforced steel wheels, upgraded alternators, and cooling systems designed for idling with full electrical load. That’s not marketing language—that’s what happens when a vehicle needs to perform under the kind of stress most civilian cars never see.
You’re also looking at spacious interiors with 118 cubic feet of passenger volume and over 52 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Room for gear, kids, equipment, or whatever your day throws at you.
State Surplus Auto Sales was started by someone who spent years in law enforcement and watched solid vehicles get retired simply because they hit a mileage threshold. Not because they were done. Because policy said so.
We’ve been selling well-maintained government vehicles in the Newark metro area for over 22 years. No trade-ins. No consignments. Just former police interceptors and municipal fleet vehicles that were serviced on schedule and built to last.
Jersey City drivers deal with stop-and-go traffic, aggressive lane changes, potholes that could swallow a tire, and weather that swings from summer heat to winter freeze. You need something durable. These vehicles were spec’d for exactly that kind of punishment.
First, understand what you’re looking at. Most of our Ford Interceptors have between 120,000 and 160,000 miles. That sounds high if you’re comparing it to a typical used SUV. But these aren’t typical.
Police vehicles rack up miles during idling, not just driving. They’re maintained by municipal fleet departments on strict schedules. Oil changes, brake inspections, fluid top-offs—it all happened whether the vehicle “needed” it or not. You’re getting something that was maintained like a piece of critical infrastructure, not someone’s weekend car.
When you visit our location at 833 Broadway, you can look through what’s currently available. We’ll walk you through the service history if it’s available. You’ll see the actual condition, not photos that hide problems.
Then comes financing. We offer zero-percent interest to everyone. No credit check that disqualifies you. No rate hike because your score isn’t perfect. You’re approved, and you’re paying zero interest. That’s not a promotion—it’s how we do business.
Once you pick your Ford police interceptor for sale, we handle the paperwork and you drive off in a vehicle that was built to outlast most of what’s on the road.
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You’re not just getting a used Ford Explorer. You’re getting the Police Interceptor Utility—a version that was never sold to the general public in this configuration.
That means a more aggressive cam profile for better throttle response. Upgraded brakes designed for high-speed stops. A cooling system built to handle extended idling with the AC, lights, radio, and onboard computer all running simultaneously. A calibrated AWD system that improves traction and stability during aggressive maneuvers, which matters when you’re dealing with Jersey City’s wet streets or dodging last-second lane changes on Route 1.
Independent testing by Michigan State Police and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department showed the 3.0L EcoBoost outperforming V8-powered sedans. The hybrid outperformed other utility vehicles in its class. You’re looking at verified performance data, not manufacturer claims.
You also get more interior space than most midsize SUVs, a reinforced frame, and a vehicle that was designed and tested to meet law enforcement standards—not just pass a consumer safety test.
And because Ford built these specifically for police fleets, they prioritized durability over luxury. That’s a good thing when you want something that works, not something that impresses people at a stoplight.
Because you’re getting a vehicle that was built to a higher standard and maintained on a schedule most private owners never follow.
Police interceptors aren’t just regular Explorers with a light bar. They’re pursuit-rated, which means they passed tests for high-speed handling, cooling under stress, and impact resistance that civilian models don’t go through. The suspension is heavier duty. The brakes are stronger. The engine and transmission are calibrated differently.
More importantly, these vehicles were maintained by fleet departments that changed the oil every 5,000 miles whether it looked dirty or not. They replaced brake pads on schedule. They kept service logs. You’re not buying from someone who skipped maintenance to save money—you’re buying from a government agency that had a budget for upkeep and a liability reason to use it.
Yes, the mileage is higher. But a well-maintained vehicle with 140,000 miles is a better buy than a neglected one with 60,000. You’re getting documented durability, not a gamble.
Not if you understand how those miles were put on.
A large portion of police vehicle mileage comes from idling, not driving. An officer parked on a traffic stop or working at a desk in the vehicle with the engine running adds hours to the engine without adding much wear to the drivetrain. These engines were designed for that kind of use.
Ford’s 3.3L hybrid and 3.0L EcoBoost engines in the Police Interceptor Utility are built with reinforced components specifically because they knew these vehicles would see extended idle time and high-load conditions. The cooling systems are upgraded. The oil capacity is higher. The alternators are heavy-duty.
Compare that to a civilian SUV with 120,000 miles that might’ve been driven hard, maintained inconsistently, and never serviced beyond what the owner felt like doing. You’re actually getting a more reliable vehicle with the police interceptor, even at higher mileage, because of how it was used and maintained.
We’re not saying mileage doesn’t matter. We’re saying it’s not the only thing that matters—and in this case, it’s not the thing that should scare you off.
Yes. Zero-percent interest, no matter what your credit score is.
We don’t run your credit to decide if you qualify. We don’t raise your rate because your score is low. Everyone gets approved, and everyone pays zero interest. That’s not a promotional rate or a limited-time offer—it’s how we structure every deal.
Most used car buyers with poor credit get stuck with interest rates between 15% and 25%, which can add thousands of dollars to the total cost of the vehicle. We saw that problem and decided not to participate in it.
You’ll still need to make a down payment and agree to payment terms that work for both sides, but you’re not getting penalized with interest because of past financial issues. You’re paying for the vehicle, not for the loan.
If you’ve been turned down elsewhere or you’re tired of seeing your rate spike because of your credit, this is a different approach. It’s straightforward, and it’s designed to help people who need reliable transportation but don’t have perfect credit.
The Crown Vic is the sedan that was retired from production in 2011. The Police Interceptor Utility is the SUV that replaced it, based on the Ford Explorer platform.
The Crown Interceptor—officially called the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor—was rear-wheel drive, V8-powered, and built on a body-on-frame platform. It was durable, simple, and cheap to fix. But it was also a sedan, which limited cargo space and passenger room.
The Ford Police Interceptor Utility is a completely different vehicle. It’s based on the Explorer, so it’s a midsize SUV with available all-wheel drive, significantly more interior space, and modern engine options including a 3.3L hybrid and a 3.0L EcoBoost V6. It’s faster, handles better, and offers more versatility than the Crown Vic ever did.
If you’re looking for a used cop car for sale today, you’re most likely looking at the Police Interceptor Utility, not the Crown Vic. The Crown Vics are still out there, but they’re getting older and harder to find in good condition. The Utility is what most agencies have been using since 2013, and it’s what we typically have in stock.
In most cases, yes. We provide service history when it’s available from the agency that retired the vehicle.
Government fleet departments keep detailed maintenance logs because they’re required to. That usually includes oil changes, brake work, tire rotations, and any other service performed during the vehicle’s time in service. When we acquire a vehicle with records, we pass those along to you.
Not every vehicle comes with a complete history—sometimes records get lost in the transition from agency to auction to dealer—but we’re transparent about what we have. If the records are available, you’ll see them. If they’re not, we’ll tell you that upfront.
What you won’t find is a vehicle that was neglected. Even without paperwork, you can see how a police interceptor was maintained by looking at the condition of the engine bay, the brake components, the fluid levels, and the overall wear patterns. These vehicles were kept operational because they had to be, not because someone felt like it.
If maintenance history is important to you—and it should be—ask when you visit. We’ll show you what we’ve got and walk you through what it means.
No. They’re two completely different things, and the distinction matters.
Police impound cars are civilian vehicles that were towed and impounded by law enforcement, then sold at auction because the owner never claimed them. They could be anything—sedans, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles—and they’re usually in unknown condition. You don’t know how they were maintained, why they were impounded, or what problems they might have.
Used police cars—like the Ford Interceptors we sell—are vehicles that were owned and operated by law enforcement agencies, then retired from the fleet. These are purpose-built police vehicles, not random cars that got towed. They were maintained by fleet departments, serviced on schedule, and built to law enforcement specifications.
When you’re searching for police impound cars for sale, you might find deals, but you’re also taking a risk. When you’re buying a used police interceptor, you’re getting a known quantity with a documented service history and a vehicle that was built for durability.
We only sell the latter. No impound cars, no random auction vehicles, no trade-ins from private sellers. Just former law enforcement vehicles that were built to last and maintained to perform.
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