Hear from Our Customers
You’re not just buying a used SUV. You’re getting a vehicle that was purpose-built to handle high-speed responses, prolonged idling, and severe duty cycles most civilian cars never see.
Every Ford Police Interceptor Utility comes with heavy-duty components that aren’t available on the retail lot. Enhanced cooling systems. Robust alternators rated up to 250 amps. Strengthened suspensions and brake systems designed for intensive use. These aren’t cosmetic upgrades—they’re functional differences that extend the life of the vehicle.
And here’s what matters most: these vehicles were maintained on strict schedules by municipal agencies. That means documented service records, not someone’s word that they “kept up with it.” Many have newer engines, transmissions, or tires installed before retirement. You’re buying a vehicle that was built tough and actually maintained that way.
The price difference is real too. Comparable civilian Ford Explorers in the Philadelphia area run $8,000 to $12,000 more than a used police interceptor with similar mileage. You’re not sacrificing quality to save money—you’re just skipping the retail markup.
State Surplus Auto Sales was started in 2003 by Carmen Yannuzzi, a law enforcement officer with over 25 years on the job. He watched well-maintained government vehicles head to auction and realized they’d make excellent options for people who needed reliable transportation without the inflated price tag.
We’re located in Newark, NJ—just across the river from Philadelphia—and we’ve built direct relationships with municipal agencies throughout the region. That means we get vehicles in bulk, straight from the departments they served. No middleman. No auction fees passed onto you.
We also offer 0% interest financing to every customer, regardless of credit score. Not promotional 0% that disappears after six months. Actual zero percent for the life of your loan. Because the goal here isn’t to make money on interest—it’s to get you into a dependable vehicle you can actually afford.
First, you browse our current inventory of used police interceptors. Most of what we carry are Ford Police Interceptor Utilities—the Explorer-based SUV that’s been the backbone of law enforcement fleets since 2013. We also get Ford Police Interceptor Sedans (the Taurus-based model) and occasionally Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles.
Once you find something that fits your needs, you can come see it in person at our Newark location. We’re about 15 minutes from downtown Philadelphia depending on traffic. You’ll get to inspect the vehicle, check the maintenance records, and ask any questions you have. We’re not here to rush you or pressure you into something that doesn’t make sense.
If you decide to move forward, we handle financing on-site. You’ll fill out a simple application, and we’ll work out a payment plan at 0% interest. No credit check games. No bait-and-switch on the rate. What we quote is what you pay.
Then you drive home. The whole process usually takes a couple hours if you know what you want, or you can take your time and come back. We’ve been doing this for over 20 years—we’re not going anywhere.
Ready to get started?
Let’s talk about what you’re actually getting under the hood. The 3.0L EcoBoost V6—the engine in most of our inventory—delivers 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. That’s more power than most V8 competitors, with a top speed of 148 mph. Not that you’ll use that on I-95, but it tells you something about how the vehicle was engineered.
The all-wheel-drive system is standard, not optional. Ford’s Intelligent AWD distributes torque to all four wheels for better handling in snow, rain, or emergency situations. If you’ve driven through a Philadelphia winter, you know that matters.
The electrical system is built to handle the load of police equipment—high-output alternators, reinforced wiring, upgraded battery systems. Even after the lights and radios are removed, you’re left with a vehicle that can handle anything you plug into it without draining the battery or blowing a fuse.
Ford also builds these to withstand rear impacts up to 75 mph, compared to the federal standard of 50 mph. That’s not just a number—it’s how the frame, fuel system, and rear structure are designed. You’re driving something that was built for worst-case scenarios.
And because these are retired municipal vehicles, not impound cars or auction salvage, you’re getting something that was professionally maintained and documented. There’s a difference between a car that was seized and sold off versus one that served a full duty cycle and was retired on schedule.
This is the first thing most people ask, and it makes sense. You’re wondering if you’re buying someone else’s problem.
Here’s the reality: police vehicles are maintained on strict schedules because downtime isn’t an option for a municipal fleet. Oil changes, brake inspections, fluid checks—they’re all logged and performed by certified technicians. You’re not getting a vehicle that someone “meant to take care of.” You’re getting one with a documented service history.
That said, these vehicles do accumulate idle hours. A police SUV might show 80,000 miles on the odometer, but half of those miles could be from idling during traffic stops or surveillance. That’s why the heavy-duty cooling systems and upgraded alternators matter—they’re designed to handle that kind of use without breaking down.
Most of the Ford Police Interceptor Utilities we sell have newer components installed before retirement. Departments often replace engines, transmissions, or tires when a vehicle hits a certain mileage threshold, even if the old parts are still functional. You’re buying a vehicle that was built to last and actually maintained that way.
You’re looking at a significant difference. A used Ford Explorer with similar mileage and year will typically run $8,000 to $12,000 more than a comparable Police Interceptor Utility in the Philadelphia area.
Why? Because you’re skipping the retail markup. We buy directly from municipal agencies in bulk, and we pass those savings on. There’s no dealer overhead, no reconditioning fees, and no financing markups since we offer 0% interest to everyone.
The other factor is perception. Some buyers see “former police vehicle” and assume it’s been beaten up, so the market price stays lower. But if you know what you’re looking at—heavy-duty components, professional maintenance, purpose-built durability—you realize you’re getting more vehicle for less money.
A civilian Explorer might have leather seats and a sunroof. A Police Interceptor has a reinforced suspension, a high-output alternator, and an upgraded cooling system. Depends on what matters more to you.
Yes. We offer 0% interest financing to every customer, regardless of credit score. That’s not a promotional rate or a limited-time offer—it’s how we do business.
Most dealerships use financing as a profit center. They’ll approve you, but at 8%, 12%, or even 18% interest depending on your credit. That’s where they make their money, and it’s why the total cost of the vehicle ends up being thousands more than the sticker price.
We don’t operate that way. The price you see is the price you pay, and we’ll work out a payment plan that fits your budget at zero percent. No hidden fees. No rate increases after six months. No games.
If you’ve been turned down elsewhere or you’re worried about your credit, come talk to us. We’ve been helping people in the Philadelphia area get into dependable vehicles for over 20 years, and we’ve seen every situation you can imagine.
The Utility is based on the Ford Explorer—it’s an SUV with three rows of seating and all-wheel drive as standard. The Sedan is based on the Ford Taurus, so it’s a four-door car with a lower profile and a more traditional sedan layout.
Both are built on the same philosophy: heavy-duty components, enhanced cooling, upgraded electrical systems, and reinforced structures. But the Utility has become the dominant choice for law enforcement since it was introduced in 2013. It offers more cargo space, better visibility, and the higher ride height that most officers prefer.
The Sedan is lighter and slightly quicker in a straight line, but the Utility handles better in bad weather and rough terrain. If you’re driving in Philadelphia—dealing with potholes, winter snow, and stop-and-go traffic—the Utility is usually the better pick.
We carry both, but our inventory leans heavily toward the Utility because that’s what most agencies have been using for the past decade. If you specifically want a Sedan, call ahead and we’ll let you know what’s available.
Most of the vehicles we sell have had the decals and light bars removed, but some visual cues remain. You might see holes in the roof where the light bar was mounted, or spotlight brackets on the A-pillar. The interior might have mounting points where the radio or computer was installed.
Some people want that look removed completely. Others don’t care, or they actually like the fact that other drivers think it might be an unmarked unit. There’s a real effect there—people do slow down and put their phones away when they see a vehicle that looks like it could be law enforcement.
If the cosmetic stuff bothers you, it’s easy enough to address. A body shop can fill the roof holes and repaint the area for a few hundred dollars. You can swap out the steel wheels for alloy ones if you want a more civilian appearance. But mechanically and functionally, these are the same vehicles you’d buy on a retail lot—just without the markup.
The other thing to know: these aren’t “impound cars” or salvage vehicles. They’re retired fleet vehicles that completed their service cycle. There’s no stigma here. You’re buying a well-maintained, heavy-duty SUV that happened to be used by a police department.
You can absolutely go to an auction if you want. But here’s what you’re signing up for: no test drive, no inspection period, no warranty, and no recourse if something goes wrong the day after you buy it.
Auctions are designed to move volume fast. You’re bidding against dealers, flippers, and other buyers who know exactly what they’re looking at. If you don’t know how to read a vehicle history report or spot frame damage, you’re at a disadvantage. And once the gavel drops, the car is yours—problems and all.
When you buy from us, you’re getting a vehicle we’ve already inspected and vetted. You can test drive it. You can ask questions. You can review the maintenance records. And if something doesn’t feel right, you can walk away without losing a deposit or getting stuck with a lemon.
We also handle financing on-site at 0% interest, which you won’t get at an auction. And because we buy in bulk directly from agencies, our prices are competitive with auction prices anyway—you’re just getting a better buying experience and more protection.
We’ve been doing this since 2003. We’re not flipping cars for a quick profit. We’re helping people in Philadelphia and the surrounding area get into dependable vehicles they can actually afford.
Local Resources
Other Services we provide in Philadelphia
