Hear from Our Customers
You’re not buying someone’s neglected trade-in. These Ford police interceptor utility vehicles were spec’d from the factory for durability and performance that civilian models don’t get.
That means all-wheel drive powertrains, larger brake rotors, advanced traction control, and cooling systems designed to handle extended idling and high-speed pursuits. These aren’t cosmetic upgrades. They’re engineering decisions made for vehicles that need to perform when it matters.
Most police departments retire their fleet between 75,000 and 100,000 miles. That’s just getting started for a vehicle built like this. You’re getting a Ford interceptor for sale that’s been used hard but built harder, and you’re paying a fraction of what a comparable civilian SUV would cost.
We’ve sold over 35,000 government vehicles in 33 years at State Surplus Auto Sales. We’re based in Newark, and we serve buyers across Pennsylvania, including Lower Merion, who know what these vehicles are worth.
Our owner spent over 25 years in law enforcement. He’s not guessing about what makes a good patrol car. He knows which units were maintained properly, which models hold up, and which ones you should walk away from.
We offer 0% interest financing to every buyer, regardless of credit score. That’s not a promotional rate or a limited-time offer. It’s how we do business, because we’d rather sell more vehicles at fair prices than play games with financing.
You start by browsing our current inventory online. We list every used cop car for sale with photos and details, so you know exactly what you’re looking at before you reach out.
Most of our buyers are out of state, so we’re used to working remotely. If you’re in Lower Merion or anywhere in Pennsylvania, we can provide additional photos, answer specific questions, and give you a clear picture of what’s available.
Once you’ve found a police interceptor that fits what you’re looking for, we handle the financing at 0% interest. No credit checks that tank your score. No surprise fees at signing. You get approved, we finalize the paperwork, and you either pick up the vehicle or arrange transport.
We don’t do high-pressure sales. You’re either interested or you’re not. Our job is to give you the information you need to make a smart decision.
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Our inventory rotates, but we consistently stock Ford Police Interceptor Utility models. These are the most popular police vehicles in the country—Ford holds 58% of the market in the 50 largest U.S. cities. There’s a reason for that.
You’ll find AWD models with the 3.7L V6 or the 3.5L EcoBoost. Both engines are proven. The EcoBoost gives you more power if that’s what you’re after. The 3.7L is simpler and still plenty capable.
In Lower Merion, where you’re dealing with everything from highway commutes to tight neighborhood streets, the handling on these vehicles makes a difference. They’re not top-heavy like a standard Explorer. The suspension is tuned for stability, and the braking system is oversized for a reason.
Pricing starts around $5,595 depending on mileage and condition. The national average for a used police interceptor utility is just over $14,000, but we’re consistently below that because we buy directly from government auctions and keep our margins reasonable.
Yes, if you know what you’re buying. A police interceptor for sale isn’t just a used Ford Explorer with a spotlight. It’s a vehicle that was built to different standards from the factory.
The suspension is reinforced. The transmission and cooling systems are heavy-duty. The brakes are larger. These aren’t dealer add-ons—they’re factory specs that cost thousands more if you tried to replicate them on a civilian model.
The trade-off is that these vehicles were used in law enforcement. They have higher idle hours than typical highway miles would suggest. But if you’re comparing a used patrol car at $8,000 to a civilian Explorer at $18,000 with similar mileage, you’re getting a better-built vehicle for half the price. That’s the value proposition.
Mileage matters, but so does how the vehicle was used. A highway patrol unit with 90,000 miles is different from a city unit with the same mileage. Highway cars see more consistent speed and less stop-and-go wear.
Check whether the vehicle still has the partition or any equipment mounts. Some buyers want a completely de-badged car. Others don’t care. Know what you’re comfortable with before you start looking.
Ask about service records if they’re available. Not all auction vehicles come with full history, but when they do, it’s worth reviewing. Government fleets typically follow strict schedules, so if records exist, they’re usually thorough. At State Surplus Auto Sales, we provide whatever documentation came with the vehicle—we don’t hide anything or make promises we can’t back up.
Yes. We offer 0% interest financing to everyone, regardless of credit score. That’s not an exaggeration or a marketing angle. It’s our standard policy.
Most dealers use financing as a profit center. They mark up interest rates or steer you toward lenders that pay them kickbacks. We don’t do that. You’re already getting a good deal on the vehicle itself—we’re not going to bury you in interest on top of it.
If you’ve been turned down elsewhere or you’re worried about your credit, that’s not an issue here. We’ve worked with buyers in every situation. The goal is to get you into a reliable vehicle without making the financing part a nightmare.
They handle significantly better. The suspension on a Ford police interceptor utility is tuned for high-speed stability and quick maneuvering. It sits lower than a civilian Explorer, and the center of gravity is optimized to reduce body roll.
The steering is more responsive. The brakes are bigger and more aggressive. If you’ve ever driven a standard Explorer and thought it felt floaty or disconnected, the interceptor version fixes that.
This isn’t about racing or showing off. It’s about confidence when you need to brake hard, merge quickly, or handle bad weather. In Lower Merion, where you’ve got everything from Route 76 to narrow residential streets, that difference is noticeable. You’re driving something that was designed to perform under pressure, and that engineering doesn’t disappear just because it’s no longer in service.
Two reasons: perception and volume. A lot of buyers assume a former cop car is worn out or problematic, so demand is lower than it should be. That drives prices down, even though the vehicles themselves are often in better mechanical shape than a comparable trade-in.
The other factor is volume. Police departments retire entire fleets at once. When 50 vehicles hit auction in the same week, prices stay competitive. We buy directly from those auctions, so we’re not paying retail and we’re not marking up like a traditional dealer would.
You’re also not paying for leather seats, a sunroof, or a premium sound system. These vehicles were spec’d for function, not luxury. If you want the performance and durability without the extras you don’t need, that’s where the value comes from. We’re selling used cop cars for sale at prices that reflect what they are—not what a dealer thinks they can get away with charging.
We don’t deliver directly, but we work with buyers outside New Jersey all the time. Most of our customers are out of state, so we’re used to coordinating transport or helping you arrange pickup.
If you’re in Lower Merion, you’re about 90 miles from our location in Newark. That’s an easy drive, or you can hire a transport service. We can recommend companies we’ve worked with before if you need a referral.
We’ll provide all the photos and details you need to make a decision remotely. If you want to see the vehicle in person before committing, that’s fine too. We’re open six days a week, and you don’t need an appointment. Just show up and we’ll walk you through whatever’s on the lot.
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