Copart Bidding Tips

Tips for Buying from a Car Auction

Get the most from your bidding and buying experience with Copart using these tips, guidelines and resources. You’ll be even more knowledgeable about what to do when you find a vehicle you’re ready to bid on so you can make an informed buying decision. Be prepared with tips on safety rules you need to follow when visiting a Copart facility, what to look for in a vehicle before placing a bid, access to the New Member Guide, and more. Make sure you’re armed with all the right information to start bidding on and buying cars in our online auto auctions. Basic and Premier Members can preview vehicles for sale in the next auction at no charge.

Bidding Tips

Here are some tips on how to bid in Copart's auctions.

• Place a maximum bid on a vehicle before auction

• Place a live bid during the live online auction

• Counter bid to negotiate a fair price with the Seller

Savvy Buyer Checklist

Every day, people all over the world buy a vehicle from an online auction. They may be buying it for parts, to rebuild for profit or fun, or as a personal use vehicle. Whatever the reason, there are some areas to research before placing a bid.

• Review the high quality photos provided by Copart, either online or on your mobile device.

• Determine title type (or Ownership Doc Type), estimated repair cost, odometer reading, damage type, and if the keys are included.

• Inspect the vehicle in person. Members can preview, for free, the vehicles for sale in the next auction only. Preview hours for most Copart locations are between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also contact an independent professional to inspect the vehicle.

• Enroll in AutoCheck for a small annual fee to get unlimited reports on most clean title vehicles. AutoCheck may tell you:

  • Previous accidents

  • Serious past damage or other problems

  • Mileage and any odometer tampering or breakage

  • Former uses, such as rental, lease and fleet

  • Loans/liens on the vehicle

  • Previous state title information

Even though the vehicle may look to be in good condition on the surface, there are still some things you should review in more detail. This may take a little extra time but could save you money in unexpected repairs after you win.

• Air Bags – Examine more than just the steering wheel air bags. Be sure to check the curtain and seat airbags as well.

• Body Lines and Visible Panel Gaps – If you notice some inconsistencies with these, take a deeper look to ensure any prior repairs were done properly.

• Paint Color – If the color seems to bright or customized, then it’s probably new paint. You should consider why the vehicle was recently painted.

• Missing Parts – If you see a perfectly good-looking front bumper, for example, but there is a missing headlight, ask yourself why. Make sure you fully inspect this part of the vehicle for potential damage.

• Non-Automotive Screws – Automotive fasteners look and function differently than a traditional household screw. If you see non-automotive fasteners, inspect the vehicle to ensure that any previous repairs were done properly.

Buy with peace of mind. You can also download the Copart Buyer Checklist.

Learn more on how to bid and buy in Copart's auctions by visiting our How to Buy Guide.