Buying Copart Vehicles
Common Questions
How do I use Copart?
Follow these steps to begin bidding and buying with Copart:
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Submit Business Licenses (if applicable) or Find a Broker (if applicable)
Find more details for each of these steps in our How to Buy section.
Can I preview Copart vehicles in person before I bid?
Yes! If you are a Copart Member, we highly encourage you to inspect vehicles in person before bidding. Although Copart provides 10 high-quality images and general descriptions for each vehicle, any information provided is for convenience only. By visiting a Copart location in person, you can be sure you are bidding on the vehicle you need.
Copart Basic and Premier Members with business licenses may preview vehicles Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Individual Basic and Premier Members should contact their local Copart location to determine preview days and hours.
Please note: All guests must be at least 16 years of age to enter Copart locations.
To see how Copart locations are addressing your Covid-19 concerns, check our latest updates.
If you’re unable to inspect a vehicle in person, Copart even provides a list of inspection services that will inspect vehicles on your behalf. These inspectors are not Copart employees and would be working as third-party professionals on your behalf.
Do I need a special license to bid on vehicles from Copart? If so, where can I get one?
Copart Members don’t always need a special license to bid. There are thousands of vehicles available in Copart auctions that do not require a business license. Only a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, is required to bid on these No License Required vehicles.
Licensing requirements for purchasing clean or salvage title vehicles vary by state, so visit our Help With Licensing map to learn about the licensing requirements for the state where the desired vehicle is located.
While not all Copart inventory requires special licenses or documents, you'll be able to bid on more vehicles by having the following uploaded to your Copart account:
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Operational business licenses (dealer, dismantler, repairable and/or business licenses)
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Sales tax licenses
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Sales tax exemption forms
Want to know what we have on file for you? Go to Account Information to view your current business licenses.
How can you get a business license? Business licenses are typically issued through state departments of transportation, motor vehicles, finance or taxation. Every state has its own business licensing requirements, which you can see on the State Licensing Overview. For more detailed, state-specific licensing guidelines, including links to applications and forms, choose your state from the Licensing Map.
What is a Broker and how do I use one?
Brokers are professional buyers who assist businesses and individuals who may not have the business licenses to buy the vehicles they want. Brokers often provide bidding and buying advice, repair services, transportation, export shipping and more. Some Brokers even have physical storefronts and are set up with kiosks allowing you to bid and buy right from their office.
The easiest way to use a Broker is to first find the vehicles that you’re interested in buying. Once you attempt to bid on these lots, you will be directed to Copart’s list of approved Brokers who can help you. Not all Brokers can facilitate the purchase of every vehicle. Therefore, it’s important that you select your desired vehicles before attempting to contact a Broker.
Remember that Brokers are independent of Copart. When you use a Broker, you are buying vehicles through the Broker and not Copart. Members who elect to work with a Broker to bid on vehicles are advised to carefully read and understand the Broker’s terms and conditions, including payment terms and conditions. You should also review the Broker’s qualifications thoroughly to ensure that the Broker meets your vehicle purchasing needs.
Can I bid on any lot without a broker?
Each state has different licensing requirements for buying titled and salvage vehicles. Check a state’s licensing requirements to see if you need to use a Broker to purchase a vehicle in that state.
All Basic and Premier Members may bid on No License Required inventory. Individuals who wish to access more inventory may contact a Broker to assist them or alternatively register on Copart as a business if they have the required business licenses.
Businesses that already have business licenses uploaded to their account may still be referred to a broker if the state in which they are planning to buy a vehicle requires dealer or dismantler license to bid on vehicles. Learn more about state licensing requirements here. If you wish to get access to more inventory, you may choose to contact a broker or consider getting an additional license required by the state in which you plan to purchase vehicles. International buyers will have to provide dealer or dismantler license from their country or a document that confirms that their main business is buying and selling vehicles.
What is a total loss vehicle?
Total loss is the label auto insurance companies place on vehicles when the cost of repair exceeds the vehicle’s value.
There are several factors that determine whether a vehicle is a total loss, including, whether it can be repaired safely, individual state laws and your car insurance company’s standards.
What is a salvage title?
Salvage titles are issued by your state’s DMV after your vehicle is determined to be a ‘total loss’ by your insurance company. This can be for several reasons, including flood damage, hail damage, theft recovery and vandalism.
Once a vehicle has been issued a salvage title, it can potentially limit who is able to purchase it. There can also be special inspections required before a salvage titled vehicle is able to become road legal again.
Why can’t I place a bid? Is there a fee to participate in the auction?
If you have uploaded all necessary documents (government-issued ID or business licenses) and paid for your membership (Basic or Premier), wait 1 business day for the documents to be processed. You will be notified by email when your account becomes active and you will be able to place bids.
Basic Membership gives you limited Buying Power of bidding on one vehicle up to $2,000. To increase your Buying Power (and bid on up to five vehicles at a time), you will need to add a deposit. Premier Membership, which gives you substantial Buying Power, requires an annual fee and an initial, fully refundable deposit. Learn more about membership here.
Once you’re a Basic or Premier Member, there will be auction fees on the lot(s) that you win. To check the auction fees, log in to your Copart account and check the fees here.
What is the process for buying cars in Buy It Now category?
The Buy It Now option is a way to win a vehicle without waiting for the Live Auction. Buy it now DOES guarantee that the buyer will receive the vehicle – upon pressing that button, and completing the payment – lot is awarded to them!
Upon clicking the confirmation of a ‘Buy It Now’, you are directed to the Invoice screen to make payment.
When you win via “Buy It Now” you have 2 business days after the day of sale to make payment IN FULL to prevent the lot from re-listing. This would include Sale Price, Buyer Fee, Gate Fee, Internet Bid Fee, and any applicable Tax. Storage rates may vary by location and can be found on the Locations pages.
If you click on Buy It Now button and nothing happens, it is probably due to a lack of funds or an active ID on file.
What happens if I won a lot and need to cancel it?
If you win a lot and don’t finalize the purchase (meaning, the lot is not paid in full within 8 calendar days including the day of sale) the Lot will Relist. The Relist fee will be 10% of the final sale price OR $600 – whichever is higher.
If you have paid Copart already, contact the Yard directly. Each of the yard locations are individually managed and solely responsible for addressing all lot specific inquires/disputes!