Copart Auction: How to bid and to buy

Copart is a company connecting buyers and sellers through the online auctions of the same name. It was founded in 1982 in California.

Over the past 30-plus years, Copart has become one of the top auction sites.

Copart is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, USA. The company has offices in more than 11 countries.

Today, Copart auctions over 175,000 vehicles daily.

The company specializes in auctions, resale and marketing of used vehicles, including salvage ones.

The business model is designed for various vehicle sellers – amateurs, financial institutions, insurance companies, even municipal authorities and charities. In addition, the target customers of Copart can include body shops, dismantlers and car dealers.

Over two million vehicles are sold at Copart auctions each year!

How Copart works

If you are an individual willing to sell your vehicle on Copart, you will need to contact CashForCars.com, the Copart's partner company. It helps selling used vehicles, both with and without damage. After filling out a special form, the company's experts will announce you the price of your vehicle.

An instant offer can be sent by mail. Alternatively, you can call the company to find out the cost of the vehicle. If you accept the company's quote, Copart or its partner CarForCars.com will inspect the vehicle and pay the agreed amount.

Dealers find it more convenient to sell their vehicles using Copart's virtual bidding technology. The main advantage of using it is that a vehicle can be offered for sale in any technical condition. In addition, by choosing Copart, you can easily reach over 750,000 potential buyers in 170 countries.

A nice bonus: prior to putting the vehicle up for an auction, Copart employees will wash and vacuum it.

How to buy a vehicle with Copart

It is incomparably more difficult to buy vehicles at an auction than to sell it. Especially, if you do it yourself. It is necessary to know the classification of damages, specifics of paperwork in different states, to be able to read symbols, to understand the vehicles’ mechanics, to navigate in the services provided by the site and other virtual services, to know how to calculate the repair and transportation costs, finally, just to know English. In order to avoid making mistakes that can cost you a lot when buying a vehicle, it is better to resort to the help of Columbus experts.

Key services/features of the auction

Copart holds an online auction five days a week. Buyers can bid in advance online and on-site. Daily bidding starts at 9:00 a.m.

If you don't feel comfortable making daily bids, you can opt for the Nightcap sales.

VB3 Virtual Bidding Technology 

Allows you to participate in online auctions from your computer, phone or tablet. The technology helps you avoid unnecessary formalities associated with bidding at auctions.

Delivery and transportation

Copart cooperates with Columbus. The companies jointly arrange for domestic (over the USA) delivery of the vehicle, no matter where it is located.

For a convenient planning, you can use a transportation app that allows you tracking your vehicle along its way.

Multiple payment options

When you place a bet online, you can choose any payment method.

Non-secure funds – credit or debit card and mobile wallet apps.

Secure funds (recommended) – wire transfer, money order, cash receipt, MoneyGram, etc.

How do I start bidding at Copart auctions?

1. Join Copart as a bidder.

You can register as a guest for free. However, you will need to upgrade to a basic or premium membership in order to bid.

2. Add a deposit or receive premium status

As a deposit, you must make at least 10% of the maximum betting value (with a minimum of $600) that you want to make on the site.

Alternatively, you can upgrade to a Premier Membership at $199 annually, or make a one-time, fully refundable deposit of 400%.

Dealer’s Assistance

In order to bet on some vehicles, a business license is required. Columbus helps solving this problem by allowing customers to use the dealer account on Copart.