Buying
How to buy a car at Copart or IAAI from Europe
4 min read
Copart and IAAI sell hundreds of thousands of cars every month, many of them to buyers in Europe. Here is how bidding from abroad works, how to choose a broker, how to read a listing and which fees and deadlines you must not miss.
Do you need a broker?
Many lots can only be bought with a dealer licence, and some states restrict who may buy salvage vehicles. That is why most European buyers bid through a registered broker (also called an agent or importer) who places the bids on your behalf under their licence. The broker charges a fixed commission per car.
A good broker does more than click the bid button. They check the lot, explain fees, pay the auction, organise the truck to the port, handle the title and export paperwork and book the container. Ask in advance exactly which of these services the commission covers.
How to choose a broker
Clear price list: commission, document fee, export fee, payment by bank transfer Access to both Copart and IAAI and to the lots you want (salvage, dealer-only) Own or partner warehouse at the export port and regular containers to your preferred EU port Photos of the car at the warehouse before loading Written agreement and a company you can verify
Step by step
- 1Choose a broker and sign the agreement; you get access to bidding through their account.
- 2Pay the security deposit – usually about 10% of your maximum bid.
- 3Find the car, read the condition report and check the VIN history.
- 4Set your maximum bid including all fees – not just the hammer price.
- 5Bid in the preliminary round or live; the highest bid wins if it meets the seller’s reserve.
- 6Pay within the deadline (usually 2–3 business days) by bank transfer.
- 7Arrange pick-up quickly – free storage is short, then a daily fee is charged.
- 8The car is transported to the port, and the title goes to the exporter for customs.
Reading a listing
Title type: clean, salvage, rebuilt or certificate of destruction / parts only Primary and secondary damage, airbags, odometer status Run and Drive / Engine Starts / Enhanced Vehicles labels – verified only at check-in, not guaranteed Keys present, location of the yard and its distance to the port Seller type: insurance company, dealer, rental company
Copart vs IAAI at a glance
| Copart | IAAI | |
|---|---|---|
| Bidding | Online, preliminary bids then live auction | Online, pre-bid then live auction (some Buy Now) |
| Typical sellers | Insurers, dealers, rental and finance companies | Mostly insurers, also dealers and fleets |
| Fees | Tiered buyer fee plus fixed fees | Tiered buyer fee plus fixed fees |
| Payment deadline | Usually 2–3 business days | Usually 2–3 business days |
| For European buyers | Through a broker | Through a broker |
Both auctions work in a similar way, so compare the same car type on both and do not limit yourself to one. Fee schedules change from time to time; always check the current one for the title type and price level you are bidding at.
Fees that surprise new buyers
Besides the buyer fee, auctions add internet-bidding, gate, environmental and title-handling fees. Late payment and late pick-up cost extra, and relisting fees apply if you do not pay. Your broker adds a commission and sometimes a fee for documents and export.
How much to bid
Work backwards: start from what the car may cost at your door – including duty, VAT, transport and registration – and from the value it will have in your market after repairs. The difference is your maximum, and the calculator turns it into a bid in dollars. As a rule of thumb, everything after the hammer price adds 60–100% on a $10,000 car, so a car worth €20,000 at home rarely justifies a bid much above $10,000–11,000.
Common mistakes
Bidding emotionally in the live round and going past your maximum Ignoring the yard location – a car in California costs far more to ship than one in New Jersey Paying late and losing the deposit or paying storage Trusting the photos alone on cars with flood or fire damage
Questions & answers
Can I cancel after winning?
Usually not without penalty. If you do not pay, the deposit is forfeited and relisting fees may apply.
How long from winning to the car in Europe?
Typically 4–8 weeks: payment and pick-up 1–2 weeks, transport to the port and loading 1–3 weeks, sailing 2–5 weeks.
Can I register on Copart myself from Europe?
You can open a basic account, but many lots require a dealer licence. Most European buyers therefore bid through a broker’s licence.
Calculate the exact cost for your car
Enter only your address – we propose the rest and price every port door to door.
