Powell Auto Auction (Powell Auction & Realty, LLC) – Public Auto Auction
Learn more
Auction Details
Auction Format
Both
Auction Type
Public Auto Auction (general used vehicles; public and dealer participation). Additional auto-related formats include periodic Online-Only automotive sales (e.g., Classic/Specialty/Bankruptcy vehicles).
Auction Format
Auction Schedule
Public Auto Auction is held the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. Doors open at 8:00 AM ET; auction starts at 9:00 AM ET. Vehicle inspection/preview is the Friday before each auction from 9:00 AM–5:00 PM ET. 2025 scheduled dates listed: Jan 4 & 18; Feb 1 & 15; Mar 1, 15 & 29; Apr 5 & 19; May 3, 17 & 31; Jun 7 & 21; Jul 12 & 26; Aug 2 & 16; Sep 6 & 20; Oct 4 & 18; Nov 1 & 15; Dec 6 & 20.
Auction Delivery Available
No
Auction Delivery Details
Powell Auction states for online automotive sales that they do not ship vehicles; buyers are responsible for contracting a hauler.
Buyer Fee Details
Not specified.
Seller Fees
Individuals: $50 to sell a vehicle at Powell Auto Auction. Seller deadline: vehicle must be consigned by Thursday before the auction at 4:00 PM ET (earlier recommended for marketing exposure). Dealer arrangements available by contacting the office.
Storage Holding Fees
Not specified.
Who can Register
Open to the general public and dealers; no dealer license required. Registration available for in-person live bidding and online bidding via HiBid. A $500 cash deposit is required for bidding approval for both live and online bidding until you are an established customer (dealers can set up a permanent account). For online bidding, new and out-of-state bidders must submit a bank letter of guarantee by Friday 5:00 PM ET before the auction or allow a $500 hold on a credit card for approval (hold applied if a purchase is made or released if not).
Fees and Methods
Payment Methods
Accepted: Cash (U.S. currency), cashier’s check, personal check with certified bank approval letter, wire transfer. If financing, Powell must speak with the lender by Friday 5:00 PM ET prior to the auction. Not accepted: Credit card payments for vehicle purchases.
Bidding Methods
Both. In person on-site; Online via HiBid (powellauction.hibid.com) when enabled for that event.
Rules and Notes
Extended Notes
Location of the auto auction facility is listed as 6723 Pleasant Ridge Road, Knoxville, TN 37921. Public Auto Auction is expressly open to the general public—no dealer license required. HiBid is the online platform; the website references a video walkthrough for first-time HiBid users, but no specific mobile app is required or mentioned. Some older event pages show historical buyer’s premium scales and terms; current 2025 pages list the updated buyer premium tiers, $15 doc fee with 60-day drive-out tag, and an online 3% fee. No explicit storage fee or post-sale pickup scheduling system, gate passes, PIN codes, or transporter authorization workflows are published.
Pickup Rules
No vehicle(s) will be allowed to leave the auction premises without full payment. Payment for online purchases is due by Monday 12:00 PM (Noon) ET following the auction; late payment incurs $100/day per vehicle. Specific post-payment pickup windows, ID requirements, or loading policies are not specified on the site.
Policies
Green Light arbitration: Buyer has 2 hours after the last car sells (auction day only) to check engine/transmission issues with repair cost of $600 or more.; Red Light vehicles sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS, with all faults; non-refundable.; Auctioneer reserves the right to bid on behalf of the owner up to any reserve price; all items sold with reserve unless otherwise noted.; Titles ready for pickup (local) or mailed (out-of-area) on the Thursday following the sale.
Third Party
Third Party Available
Yes (buyer-arranged)
Third Party Requirements
Buyer must arrange their own hauler/transport. No published authorization forms, PIN codes, or transporter app requirements.
Third Party Process
Buyer contracts transporter directly. Powell does not provide shipping; no detailed transporter check-in or gate pass process is published.
Self Pickup
Self Pickup Available
Yes
Self Pickup Requirement
Full payment required prior to vehicle release. No credit cards accepted for vehicle purchases. Other requirements (ID, appointments, apps) are not specified.
Self Pickup Process
Attend auction, win bid, complete payment per accepted methods; after payment in full, retrieve vehicle. No detailed check-in, gate pass, or digital procedures are published.
This page was last updated on September 1, 2025 and some details may have changed. Reach out directly to the auction with any questions.
Claim your page
Is this your auction? Reach out to marketing@autohaulerx.com to update any details.