Buy smart at auction
Win the right car at auction, without the costly surprises.
Plain-English guides to auction fees, inspection, salvage titles, online and dealer auctions, and how to sell your car at auction for a fair price.
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Explore Auto Auction Guides
Pick a topic for step-by-step advice on buying or selling at auction.
Auction Fees
Buyer premiums, gate, late, storage and seller fees, and your real out-the-door cost.
Explore topic →02Salvage & Rebuilt Titles
Salvage vs rebuilt titles, state rules, rebuild math and resale value.
Explore topic →03Inspection & Checks
Condition reports, VIN and history checks, flood, frame and odometer red flags.
Explore topic →04Selling at Auction
Consignment, reserve prices, paperwork and getting the best price.
Explore topic →05Online Auctions
Copart, IAA, ACV and others: bidding, payment, pickup and storage rules.
Explore topic →06Dealer Auctions
Dealer-only auctions, access, arbitration and sourcing for small dealers.
Explore topic →Featured reading
Start Here: Essential Auction Guides
The questions first-time auction buyers and sellers ask most.
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Do You Pay Seller Fees If Your Car Does Not Sell at Auction?
A no-sale can still leave you with a run fee, re-run fee, or no-sale fee. This guide explains what is owed, withheld,…
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How to Start an Auction Arbitration Claim Step by Step
Start an auction arbitration claim by checking the sale clock, gathering the condition report and photos, and filing the required forms before…
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Are Rebuilt Title Cars Reliable Enough for Daily Driving?
A rebuilt-title car can be daily-driver material when repairs are documented and the structure checks out. Missing records or bad repairs raise…
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What Does Minimum Bid Mean on Copart Listings?
Minimum bid means the seller has set a floor price on a Copart listing. Bids below it may not win, even if…
From the blog
Latest Auction Articles
New guides on fees, inspections, titles and buying or selling at auction.
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Can You Register a Car with a Salvage Title?
Usually, a salvage title alone is not enough to register a car. Most states require a…
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How to Bid at an Online Car Auction Without Overpaying
Set a hard ceiling bid before auction day by subtracting repairs, fees, taxes, title, transport, and…
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What Are the Dealer License Requirements by State?
Dealer license requirements vary by state, but most states require a business location, surety bond, sales…
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How to Inspect a Car at Auction in Under 15 Minutes
Use a 15-minute inspection to reject cars with title, flood, frame, or warning-light problems first. Get…
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How to VIN Check for Accidents on an Auction Car
Compare the VIN with title history, condition reports, damage codes, odometer records, and photos before you…
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What Does Reserve Not Met Mean at a Car Auction?
“Reserve not met” means the high bid is still below the seller’s minimum, so the car…
Recent Guides
- Do You Pay Seller Fees If Your Car Does Not Sell at Auction?
- How to Start an Auction Arbitration Claim Step by Step
- Are Rebuilt Title Cars Reliable Enough for Daily Driving?
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