Buying a Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor at Auction: Years, Problems and Prices (2026)
What a used Crown Victoria sells for at government auction, the P71 and P7B years, the known problems and safety programs to check, and what to inspect before you bid.
Ford built the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor until 2011. Crown Victorias sold for a median of $1,325 at U.S. government auctions over the last 12 months, and the middle half sold for $705 to $2,025, across 792 sales. That makes it the cheapest retired police car at auction, because the newest ones are 15 years old.
| Item | Median sale | Middle half sold for | Sales (12 months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Crown Victoria | $1,325 | $705 to $2,025 | 792 |
| Ford Police Interceptor | $2,448 | $1,334 to $4,063 | 1,199 |
Prices by Model Year
Crown Victoria sales in the 12 months to October 2026:
| Model years | Median sale | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 and older | $950 | 159 |
| 2006-2010 | $1,365 | 379 |
| 2011 | $1,725 | 177 |
New Jersey and Georgia sell the most.
The Basics
- Codes: P71 is the Police Interceptor code from the 1992 redesign. It changed to P7B for the last two model years.
- Engine: 4.6L V8, about 250 hp from 2004.
- Transmission: 4-speed automatic.
- Body: separate body and frame, rear-wheel drive. The frame was redesigned for 2003.
- End of production: police orders stopped in April 2011. The last Police Interceptor was built in August 2011 for the Kansas Highway Patrol, so 2011 is the last model year.
New York City's last Crown Victoria taxis ran 490,000 to 550,000 miles.
Known Problems and Programs
- Plastic intake manifold. On older cars the plastic intake manifold can crack at the front coolant crossover and leak coolant. A class-action settlement covered 1996-2001 cars. Check for coolant on the front of the intake and a low coolant level.
- Fuel tank fire program. After rear-impact fires, Ford gave police agencies a free shield kit in 2002-2003 to protect the fuel tank from the rear axle and other parts, plus an optional trunk pack to stop cargo being pushed into the tank. Check whether the shields are fitted.
Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recalls.
What to Inspect
- Rust. Check the frame, rear suspension mounts and floor pans, especially on cars from snowy states.
- Engine hours. Ask for them if the listing doesn't show them.
- Holes and wiring. Light bars, spotlights, radios, consoles and partitions come off before sale and leave holes and cut harnesses.
- Rear seat. Cars used for transport often have a hard plastic rear seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a used Crown Victoria police car?
Crown Victorias sold for a median of $1,325 at U.S. government auctions over the last 12 months. 2011 cars sold for a median of $1,725.
What is the difference between a P71 and a P7B?
Both are the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. P7B replaced P71 as the code for the last two model years.
What was the last year of the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor?
2011. The last one was built in August 2011 for the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Where are retired Crown Victorias sold?
Mostly on GovDeals, Public Surplus and city and county auctions. Police auctions near you lists what is for sale now, and the Crown Victoria price page shows recent sales by state.
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