Jeeps/Gypsy's: All through Army Auctions: What, When, Where, How?

[DirtyDan]

Originally Posted by bigman

Has anyone managed to find where these ex army MM550's end up ?

There is a lot of conflicting posts it would be great if someone could provide a definitive answer.

Retiring servicemen get a lot of them. One of the benefits they get is first chance at surplus vehicles. Some others go to charitible organizations. I think the feeling is on this site that the remainder are sold off to favorite "big players" on the sly. In other words, the auctions have been rigged or thought to be so. However, now there is the e-auction wherein they are sold online. Anybody got the address of the surplus vehicle online site?

[SirAlec]

i don't think they give it to ex servicemen or donate any of those vehicle.

first the list is made of items to be written off each year. Not only vehicle but whole lot of other things. Each vehicle has a log book in which even a change of a single bolt is logged. When they analyze that vehcile has come of age and asking for more maintainance they write them off. this does not apply to speciallity vehicle like recovery truck, those LHD russian Zils, etc.

An advertisement is given in all the local newspaper inviting tender and deposits from prospective bidder. These bidder have (almost always) have good contacts with different member of QM branch. They even get inside info on the expected bidding rates of a particular lot.

Those bidder will always most of the time do not use their Lot after buying. I have seen bidder selling their lot/individual item to other buyer/bidder instantly. I have seen one officer cutting a deal for a gypsy from the bidder.

Most of the time the auctioned vehicle is not in good shape, parts will be missing. There is a time gap between the write off and actual bidding. During this time they will rot in one corner of their MT park. ANd personal and mechanic most of the time rip the parts off and sell them off to local garage wala. Or more appropriately use them to service their other vehicle.

[DirtyDan]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

i don't think they give it to ex servicemen or donate any of those vehicle.

SirAlec, I do not make this stuff up. Here is an exerpt from the regs which you can find online at

The Official Home Page of Indian Army
*****************************************
Allotment of surplus vehicles from Army Disposal stock

(a) All retired/released ESM, their widows and ESM co-operative societies with the exceptions noted below will be entitled to allotment of vehicles. The following criteria will be applied in assessing the eligibility of the applicants.....

I also saw some stuff about charitable orgs but I forgot where that is. Wasn't Amy though, so it is suspect.

[offroad_maniac]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

Most of the time the auctioned vehicle is not in good shape, parts will be missing. There is a time gap between the write off and actual bidding. During this time they will rot in one corner of their MT park. ANd personal and mechanic most of the time rip the parts off and sell them off to local garage wala. Or more appropriately use them to service their other vehicle.

So does that mean, whatever ends up in local scrap sellers / dealers are the worst of the lot? All the nice things being already reserved by insiders or is removed before the sale?

Many people here on this forums got really nice Army Jeeps (including your friend. he got two!), is it the place of auction then?

Someone please mention such kind of auctions if taking place near Mumbai or Pune city

[SirAlec]

Originally Posted by DirtyDan

SirAlec, I do not make this stuff up. Here is an exerpt from the regs which you can find online at

The Official Home Page of Indian Army
*****************************************
Allotment of surplus vehicles from Army Disposal stock

(a) All retired/released ESM, their widows and ESM co-operative societies with the exceptions noted below will be entitled to allotment of vehicles. The following criteria will be applied in assessing the eligibility of the applicants.....

I also saw some stuff about charitable orgs but I forgot where that is. Wasn't Amy though, so it is suspect.

Thats very informative. I didn't know that. and guess I am not the only one. I am sure very few have excercise this rights.
I must say they are cheap. but depends upon the condition. Also I must add in India this things are just on papers.
I heard a news about shoody petrol pumps distribution to deserving widow of Kargil widows, the most deserving ones. I am not sure many jawans and NCO or their widows even know about internet/email, let alone e-auction.

As far as my post goes, I have seen it happen.

@ offroad maniac.
If you had seen the vehicle before, you would have turn it down instantly, but this particular example had no accident history. the engine 550xdp was crappy as ever, the GB was notchy shifts, hence the engine/gb transplant.
actually beauty lies in the eyes of beholder, that goes for car too.

[desideep]

Originally Posted by DirtyDan

SirAlec, I do not make this stuff up. Here is an exerpt from the regs which you can find online at

The Official Home Page of Indian Army
*****************************************
Allotment of surplus vehicles from Army Disposal stock

(a) All retired/released ESM, their widows and ESM co-operative societies with the exceptions noted below will be entitled to allotment of vehicles. The following criteria will be applied in assessing the eligibility of the applicants.....

I also saw some stuff about charitable orgs but I forgot where that is. Wasn't Amy though, so it is suspect.

if you check on the link it would also specify about the charity thing and also there is a preaproved rate list. i wish some one could buy me one of the jeeps at that price.

[DirtyDan]

Originally Posted by desideep

if you check on the link it would also specify about the charity thing and also there is a preaproved rate list. i wish some one could buy me one of the jeeps at that price.

Thanks desi. Ex-Servicemen buy them and it has little to do with e-auction, that is a separate issue. The trick may be to find a retired/retiring guy and buy from him.

[offroad_maniac]

Originally Posted by Kandisa

From my limited experience of few visits to mayapuri, I guess it is more of a luck to find something good when you land up in that place. I found couple of ok conditioned ex-army 540's every time, but 550 hardly I noticed. But one thing I have noticed, sometimes one can stumble across a much better jeep auctioned by various govt departments and UN organizations. Even sometimes the engine can be found in running conditions! These types of jeeps are much easier to restore than the army ones (not talking about the experts, but for normal persons), which are abused to the limit. Also, the new registration mess can be avoided. Off-course the prices of these jeeps will be on the higher side and one has to bargain hard after looking at the existing functionality.
.

Thats true, one can get a nice & better maintained jeep from othe Govt. Depts. but the reason for Army jeeps being in much demand is for their Engines & Most importantly due to the Chassis. All the Army Jeeps Chassis are different than regular MM550s as they(Army versions) are made more stronger to sustain the heavy workload of Army. (As they are run over harsh terrains, also they have to carry much more heavier weaponary systems)

I guess, thats why the Army Vehicles are in more demand than the other jeeps.

Regards,
O_M

[Torque-ative]

Could one legally (I mean without ficticious addresses) register these jeeps in NCR, unless they conform to the current EURO / Bharat emission norms.

See not all of us have farm houses in Haryana or UP where we could register these rides,..and continue driving them around in NCR.

Hence back to my question,...I want one (since I am now a part of the NIOC). How do I register them legally ?

Do the late model (yr 2000 onwards) 550's conform to Euro III, as I think this is the current ruling at the moment !

[Kandisa]

Originally Posted by Torque-ative

...
See not all of us have farm houses in Haryana or UP where we could register these rides,..and continue driving them around in NCR.

Hence back to my question,...I want one (since I am now a part of the NIOC). How do I register them legally ?

From my limited knowledge I guess you can get the registration done in Haryana,UP or Punjab in all probability. You have to get hold of people (agents) who do this. But be prepared to spend some good amount (in the range of 10-30k) and it will take quite sometime to get your papers!
-Best regards,

[testdrive]

Originally Posted by Torque-ative

Could one legally (I mean without ficticious addresses) register these jeeps in NCR, unless they conform to the current EURO / Bharat emission norms.

...How do I register them legally ?

1. You can't get a army jeep registered in NCR.
2. Like someone suggested you need to pay some money and get them registered in Haryana/Punjab. I was getting a MM550 from Moga with registration (Punjab number for Rs.12k extra). Since I have many relatives in Punjab, I was planning to get the Jeep in my relative's name.
3. You can get Airport Authority of India disposal jeeps from Mayapuri with a Delhi registration. This jeep can be transferred to your name. One small problem - these jeeps are 4x2 and will have to be converted to 4x4. Also, not many jeeps with Delhi numbers are available.

Bottom line - its complicated. That's why I have been looking for a 2nd hand civilian MM540.

[bigman]

Just got my cousin to pick me up an army MM550. Cost RS80K from Mansa (south Punjab). The guy deals in miltary disposal , trucks, jeeps etc and had a few MM550 and wanted 80K for anyone of them. They picked the best piece and it will be delivered tomorrow. Then work on overhauling the engine etc will then begin.

I will try and get some pictures sent to me next week.

[Ricky_3007]

Originally Posted by harjeev

yes there are several available in mayapuri, but all are carb and mpfi's

EDIT
all are carbs and not mpfi's

Hi Harjeev,

What is the approx cost range of Gypsies available and they are in what condition? Also if you could tell about any CJ if it is available with approx cost.

My friends got inspaired by my Army Spec 550 and they are behind me to get the information about Gypsy and CJ (Bsically they like "Classic4X4" look) so i think you are the best "Army Spec Specialist" so I am asking thsi to you. rest we will talk over phone after you can confirm this.
This is what I wanted to speak to you over phone so I asked to PM your no.

Tarkesh

[bigman]

Originally Posted by desideep

i CANT BELEIVE IT THAT THERE ARE AUCTIONS IN BATHINDA. i am sorry but i am really surprised so many years in bathinda but i have not heard of any auctions in bathinda. with close connections in the CANTONMENT i have come to know that all the auctionable motors are sent to PATHANKOT or DELHI

Apparently there are auctions in Bathinda. The guy who we got our MM550 from in Mansa confirmed that he along with a few others buy lots from auction in Bathinda.

I too have not seen anything on the official auction site. There are plenty of lots available from Pathankot but nothing form Bathinda. Maybe he was telling porkies so we do not venture up to Pathankot ourselves.

I remember my friends dad used to say if you find a bargain and if anyone asks then tell them the wrong location so they go mad looking for it in the worng location .

[susan3004]

Originally Posted by Parm

hey guys i was wondering that we had talk about ex-army disposal jeeps in all kinds of cities and towns in north india....

....dabwali, mayapuri etc.....but has anyone been to Meerut for the availability of ex-army disposal jeeps?

remember there is Meerut Cantt with huge army depot and base there.

please comment if anyone has been there already to source the jeeps. because i know most of the jeeps we see in Mayapuri, come from Meerut Cantt.

Major Sandeep can elaborate on this topic!

Much has already been spoken on the thread as far as the details of Meerut scrap market are concerned. Harjeev has made some plans for shopping too!(I wish I was in Delhi. I would also have joined, with due permission of course)
Meerut happens to be one of the largest cantonments of Asia. Size of the cantonment does not imply that it will have stuff like used jeep/trucks. There are many vehicle depots of the army. Different locations attract more traffic of used vehicles. Pathankot happens to be a funnel which attracts jeeps from the northern most state also. Since the usage is very high in that state, the number of jeeps coming down for auction is also very high. But interestingly, the jeeps coming from there are more abused compared to the counterparts arriving from different areas.
Hence, when I talk of history of the jeep, it entails getting to know the origin of the first commission of the vehicle and the unit who has been using it. And finally, if one can speak to the user unit, it can personify other queries also.