Southern California Transportation Inc. — SoCal Public Auto Auction (also marketed as SoCal Auto Auctions)
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Auction Details
Auction Format
Both
Auction Type
Public auto auction open to the general public; live in-person auctions with online simulcast; additional weekly online/live Tuesday evening sale; Buy Now (pre‑auction) option Monday–Friday.
Auction Format
Auction Schedule
Weekend public auctions with live in-person bidding and online simulcast. Saturday: gates/inspection open 10:00 AM, bidding starts 12:00 PM (site variant lists Registration & Inspection 8:00–11:00 AM, auction 11:00 AM). Sunday: gates/inspection open 10:00 AM (alt: 9:00–12:00 PM), bidding starts 1:00 PM (alt: 12:00 PM). Tuesday: additional weekly SIMULCAST/LIVE auction starts 7:00 PM (listed on SoCalPAA site). Friday: Buy Now sale 9:00 AM–5:00 PM and additional preview/inspections 9:00 AM–7:00 PM. Test drives available Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–7:00 PM.
Auction Delivery Available
Yes
Auction Delivery Details
Buy It Now page notes you may arrange to have the vehicle delivered to you; no published rates or coverage areas.
Buyer Fee Details
Not specified. FAQ states you have three days to pick up after winning; SoCalPAA notes release up to the following Tuesday at 5:00 PM. No explicit storage fee policy published.
Seller Fees
Not specified on the official pages.
Storage Holding Fees
Not specified. Site states vehicles can be picked up the same day or within three days after winning (FAQ). Another page states cars will be released the same day after the auction up until the following Tuesday at 5:00 PM. No explicit per‑day storage fee schedule is published.
Who can Register
Open to the public; must be 18+ with a valid driver’s license or government-issued ID. Registration available online and in person. Online registration portal (Southern California Transportation Inc.) requires account setup with contact info, government ID upload, and credit/debit card on file. Registration types shown: Automotive Dealer, Public (Other), Salvage Yard, Wholesale. Deposit/purchase requirements vary by page: Terms document states a nonrefundable $1,000 deposit is immediately charged per vehicle won, with option to pay remaining balance same day or place a 25% deposit to hold the vehicle until Tuesday 5:00 PM; FAQ alternatively mentions $500 due at time of winning and three days to pay balance.
Fees and Methods
Payment Methods
Accepted (per various pages): cash; debit and credit cards (3% surcharge for credit card transactions over $500); approved cashier’s checks (per Terms PDF); bank/credit‑union financing with purchase order; Zelle and Apple Pay (per FAQ). Explicitly not accepted: “no checks of any kind” (SoCalPAA rules). Note: pages conflict on cashier’s checks vs. ‘no checks’; verify with the auction before paying.
Bidding Methods
Both In Person and Online. Online bidders must pre-register through Southern California Transportation Inc. at the SoCal PAA portal (auction.socalpaa.com).
Rules and Notes
Extended Notes
Branding and location: The operation is presented as Southern California Transportation Inc. (SoCal Public Auto Auction) and SoCal Auto Auctions. Current auction location/address is 10993 Central Ave, Ontario, CA 91762 (near Fontana). Scheduling details differ slightly by page (e.g., Saturday 11:00 AM vs. 12:00 PM start); both are published variations. Deposit/payment details also conflict ($1,000 immediate per win vs. $500 at win), as do policies regarding checks and OBD scanners. Before bidding or picking up, call to confirm the exact deposit/payment policy, pickup window, and any scanner/tool rules for the specific sale date. No references to specialized mobile apps, digital gate passes, PIN codes, or transporter authorization systems were found on official pages.
Pickup Rules
Vehicles can be released the same day after the auction; SoCalPAA states release available up to the following Tuesday at 5:00 PM. Terms state vehicles paid in full are released same day; alternatively, a 25% deposit can hold the vehicle for a 3‑day extension with release upon final payment. The person who will have the vehicle registered under their name must be present at time of vehicle release. No explicit mention of yard loading, gate passes, or appointment/queue systems.
Policies
All vehicles sold AS IS; all sales final; no refunds.; Entry and registration are free; must be 18+ to bid; minors must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian.; Immediate deposit required upon winning (policy varies by page: $1,000 per win per Terms vs. $500 per FAQ). Walkaways risk losing 25% of the cash price plus the deposit.; Use of outside tools or scanners: SoCalPAA rules prohibit outside tools/scanners; FAQ states scanners are allowed. Conflicting guidance—confirm onsite.
Third Party
Third Party Available
Not specified
Third Party Requirements
Not specified. No transporter registration, PIN, or authorization workflow described on official pages.
Third Party Process
Not specified.
Self Pickup
Self Pickup Available
Yes
Self Pickup Requirement
Buyer 18+ with valid driver’s license/government ID. Per rules, the person who will register the vehicle must be present at release. Payment in full required for immediate release; otherwise 25% deposit provides a short hold until balance is paid.
Self Pickup Process
Attend auction (or bid online), win lot, pay required deposit immediately (site variations state $1,000 deposit per win or $500 per FAQ). Pay remaining balance same day for immediate release, or place 25% deposit to hold and finalize by Tuesday 5:00 PM for release. Pick up same day after auction or within the stated window. No appointment, digital check‑in, or gate pass process is described.
This page was last updated on September 1, 2025 and some details may have changed. Reach out directly to the auction with any questions.
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