Buy salvage cars online at Copart auctions

Start buying salvage cars today with a free account, no dealer license and no bidding limits. Here is exactly how it works, step by step.

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How it works

How to buy salvage cars in four steps

No dealer license and no bidding limits. Here is the whole process, start to finish.

Register and deposit

Open a free account and place a refundable security deposit. You can bid up to ten times the amount on file. Register free.

Find your car

Search by make, model, damage and location. Study the photos and lot details, they are reference only, and run a VIN history report.

Price it and bid

Add fees, transport and repairs to the bid with the fee calculator so you know your true maximum, then bid preliminary or live.

Pay and collect

Pay in full by wire within three business days counting auction day, then pick up the car or book a transport quote.

What to check before you bid

Secondary damage and airbags — the primary damage line hides frame and airbag issues, the most expensive repairs.
Title type — match salvage, rebuilt or clean to your goal before you bid, see title types.
Run and drive status — a quick yard test, not a mechanical guarantee.
Your all in cost — bid plus fees plus transport plus repairs, not just the hammer price.

Why buy through SalvageReseller

We are Copart's longest running registered broker, in business since 2004 with an A+ BBB rating and more than 35,000 sales. Our free membership has no bidding limits, and our broker fees are among the lowest in the industry. Read real customer reviews or our buying tips.

Questions

Buying salvage cars: frequently asked questions

Getting started

How do I start buying salvage cars?

Register a free account, place a refundable deposit, find a car, and bid. As a Copart broker we handle the licensing, so you do not need a dealer license. Register free to begin.

Is there a bidding limit?

No. Our free membership has no bidding or purchase limits. Your effective limit is ten times your security deposit on file, so the $600 minimum deposit lets you bid up to $6,000.

Are there states where I cannot buy?

A few. Buyers cannot purchase vehicles located in Kansas or Missouri, only clean title vehicles can be bought in Michigan, and Colorado and Wisconsin allow preliminary bids only. California residents cannot buy vehicles located in California. Everywhere else is open.

What are the ways to bid?

Place a preliminary bid before the sale, bid live during the auction, or use Buy It Now on fixed price lots. Preliminary bids work well when the live sale runs while you are busy.

Costs and payment

How much does it cost to buy?

The winning bid plus Copart and broker fees. A $3,000 win commonly lands around $4,200 out the door. See your exact total on the fee calculator.

When do I pay after winning?

Payment in full is due by wire transfer within three business days, counting auction day. Bids are binding, so bid only what you can pay.

What happens if I miss the payment deadline?

A late fee applies first, and if payment is not received within seven calendar days the sale is canceled and your deposit is forfeited. It is the most expensive mistake a new buyer can make, so wire early and keep proof of the transfer.

Can I finance the purchase?

Specialty lenders and personal loans finance salvage purchases, and clean titles are easy to finance. See our financing page.

Buying smart

Can I inspect before I bid?

Yes, through the photos and lot details (reference only, and not every lot has a condition report), a VIN report, an in person visit with a Copart Basic membership, or a professional inspection. All vehicles sell as is, so this homework matters.

What are the biggest beginner mistakes?

Bidding without doing the fee and repair math, trusting the primary damage line without checking for secondary damage, and skipping the VIN report. All three are avoidable. Our buying tips cover each one in detail.

What does run and drive mean on a lot?

That the vehicle started and moved under its own power at the yard at some point. It is one data point, not a promise of mechanical condition or road readiness, so weigh it alongside the photos and your own research.

How fast do I need to pick the car up?

Within a few days of the sale. After the short free window, daily storage fees start and climb quickly. Book your own pickup or get an instant hauler quote on our transportation page as soon as you win.