Copart Buying Experience

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11) 05/08/2020 at 14:30 • Filed to: None

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As promised, here is a quick run down of my Copart buying experience.

Creating an account is a simple task, takes about 10-15 minutes. It requires a copy of your legal ID. A standard free account limits bidding to $1000, you can only bid on 1 car at a time, and 10% deposit at the time of bidding for any bids over $1000. To upgrade to a premier membership, it is a $400 refundable deposit and a $200 fee. It lasts for 1 year and costs $150 to renew each year.

Bidding was super easy once my account got approved (took about 20 hours). Could only place one bid at a time, but once you get outbid, you can bid on a different lot with no issue.

There are many lots that require a dealer license or broker to purchase, just varies by state due to differences in laws. In some states, you cannot purchase a salvage title vehicle without a broker (such as Illinois), while in others, only clean title vehicles require a broker (such as Kansas).

Purchasing is easy, as they have a secure credit/debit card payment system. Upon payment, you will receive an invoice/bill of sale.

Another thing to be aware of is the fees. They can easily surprise you with how many fees there are. A breakdown of the cost for my Grand Prix:

SALE PRICE 525.00

BUYER FEE 212.50

INTERNET BID FEE 39.00

GATE FEE 59.00

SALES TAX 83.55

BUYER PAYMENT 919.05

As you can see, the sales price is only 57% of the total cost. Payment is required within 3 business days and pickup is required within 5 business days, otherwise you will be hit with relisting fees and storage fees.

The pickup process was very easy for me, but your experience might vary as every location is very different. The Kansas City location let me come in, I gave my member number and the lot number for my car, they got the paperwork and I signed for it, and that was it. They brought the car out on a loader, but let me just drive it away from their parking lot. A lot of locations will be like that, but many others also require all cars to be towed or trailered away. I would recommend calling your location to check. They don’t provide any plates or tags, but will give you a print copy of the Bill of Sale and the title, if they have it. When picking up your car, assume the battery will be dead. Always bring a jump pack or cables, oil, and distilled water.

I also highly recommend visiting the location to view the cars in person before bidding, but that wasn’t an option with their lots being closed to visitors during this crisis. Buying a car sight unseen is always a huge risk, but in my case, it ended okay.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask!

RacinBob > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/08/2020 at 14:47

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It didn’t appear to be in an accident, what made this a copart car? What was the story that got it there? Also, how did you know that it would be driveable?

Michael > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/08/2020 at 14:48

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I see plenty of cars on copart that are “parts only” or “nonrepairable” even if they look in good shape. Any idea why?

Michael > RacinBob 05/08/2020 at 14:49

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I think trade-ins can get auctioned at or sold to copart

Snuze: Needs another Swede > RacinBob 05/08/2020 at 14:54

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He talked about this in a previous post about the Grand Prix - It had hail damage, probably an insurance write-off.  

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > RacinBob 05/08/2020 at 14:54

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Anything can be sold there. Clean titled vehicles often get donated to non-profits (ie, a local radio station) then auctioned off there. But this car had a bunch of hail damage.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Michael 05/08/2020 at 14:54

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A lot of flood titled stuff gets marked like that.

OPPOsaurus WRX > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/08/2020 at 15:07

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Bob, I’d like to bid $1.

but holy F, just the fact that this thing isn’t sagging means its worth it. That color is fan-fucking-tast ic.

I think i have a problem

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > RacinBob 05/08/2020 at 15:15

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Hail damage 

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Michael 05/08/2020 at 15:16

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Lots of flood vehicles or vehicles with tampered VINs

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Michael 05/08/2020 at 15:25

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Here in CA, the title rules are also stricter, so often what looks like a viable car will have something in the vehicle history that renders it impossible to get another CA title on it.

Not that you couldn’t go the “Bill of Sale” route in MT or VT...

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > RacinBob 05/08/2020 at 15:25

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Theft recoveries can turn up there too.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > OPPOsaurus WRX 05/08/2020 at 15:38

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No, whoever rear ended it has a problem.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/08/2020 at 15:56

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can confirm, rear en ding an Allroad does not end well for the other car.

way2blu does a rev update > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/08/2020 at 15:58

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Must. Resist. New. Project. Cars. 

That was nicely informative, thanks for writing it up! Definitely useful knowledge for future parts/project car sourcing.

Takuro Spirit > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/08/2020 at 15:59

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I’ve been perusing Copart on and off over the years for a LS swap candidate van or truck or GTO (ha!) or Caprice. I’ve signed up and placed some bids, but I don’t like the site as a whole.

For instance, you can’t see what a car you were watching was bid/sold for without bidding yourself. And half the times a car is listed as no license needed, I still have issues placing a bid.

Frustrating, but someday worth my time.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > OPPOsaurus WRX 05/08/2020 at 16:00

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They should have made the hatch as strong. It still always sucks to get rear ended.

It is a similar story for whoever is unlucky enough to run into my mom’s Volvo XC90. The original rear bumper is still perfectly intact and it has been rear ended around a half dozen (!) times. And that is just the rear.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Takuro Spirit 05/08/2020 at 16:55

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It can be frustrating. I also far prefer the app to the website, as it’s actually fairly updated and not from 2008

Tapas > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/08/2020 at 18:53

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What the hell is up with the fees!

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Tapas 05/08/2020 at 23:40

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Sale price is what the seller gets, the fees are what Copart gets. As long as you’re aware of them and factor that in before purchasing, it’s not bad

Andjei > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/09/2020 at 03:36

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 Check vin at www.epicvin.com before buying.  A lot of cars have previous damages. 

Andjei > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/09/2020 at 03:40

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R egister with the broker like Www.Abetter.bid- for buying salvage title cars. It's easy way to buying all copart cars ;-)

searover72 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/09/2020 at 10:50

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I’ve bought 2 cars from copart so far - 04 lexus gs430 and an 01 toyota celica. The lexus out of texa s, had it shipped in by carrier, the celica from a local auction, picked it up myself with a trailer, they brought it out and set it right on, just had to strap it down and go .

Bidding went very smooth, but you do have to keep up with the fees. F or low cost vehicles it can easily be half the price. They have a page with all the fees so you can calculate yourself. Also, don’t bring cash, they will not accept over $300-$400 in cash, so money order is lowest fee charge.

functionoverfashion > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 05/09/2020 at 13:11

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I’ve often looked at fancy inboard wake boats that have been recovered after theft or an accident off their trailer, because the drivetrain would be fine. Lots of value in the engine, trans, vdrive, etc. but I’m not close to any of these places, and haven’t needed a boat engine in a long time (thankfully)! 

Stef Schrader > OPPOsaurus WRX 05/10/2020 at 08:19

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It’s a charming and mostly harmless problem. Embrace it. Become one with the Allroad obsession.

(It is a good color.)