What does Copart do with cars?

Asked by: Prof. Jefferey Rath Jr.  |  Last update: October 24, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (46 votes)

Copart sources and resells its vehicles for finance companies, banks, insurance companies, and other businesses. Both licensed dealers and the public can search, bid on, and purchase vehicles through Copart's online and in-person auctions.

What does Copart do with totaled cars?

Totaled Cars, Trucks, SUVs and More in Online Auction. When an auto insurance company determines that a vehicle is a total loss, a state's DMV issues that vehicle a salvage title. Copart specializes in auctioning these type of vehicles.

What is the lawsuit against Copart?

A proposed class action alleging the vehicle auction company Copart Inc. misled and deceived its customers will stay in federal court, after the suit was initially filed in the California Superior Court.

Can you drive a car out of Copart?

You can pick up your own vehicle at one of our locations by scheduling a pickup appointment through the Copart Member App. For safety reasons, you cannot drive any vehicle out of a Copart location.

What happens after you win a car on Copart?

Lastly, Copart will alert you by email, text message, or push notification in the Copart Member App, depending on the methods of contact you selected in Preference Center. Now you need to Pay for your vehicle, fees and any services, and decide how you want to acquire your Vehicles and Titles.

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What happens if I don't pay for a car I won on Copart?

Sometimes a sale isn't successfully completed, such as when the high bidder doesn't pay for the vehicle within 8 calendar days including the day of the sale, or the Seller doesn't approve of the final bid. In such cases a vehicle is relisted for a future auction.

Can you look at Copart cars in person?

Go In Person

You can come inspect any vehicle yourself Monday through Friday during normal business hours at the Copart location where it's stored.

Does Copart give you a title?

Most of the ways you can receive your titles require you to have a Limited Power of Attorney on file with Copart. This allows Copart to put a vehicle into your name. We can then send the title along with your transporter and/or shipping company.

How long can a car stay at Copart?

Copart will hold your vehicle at no charge for up to three days, including the day on which you bought it. * Storage fees may vary by Copart location.

What to do after buying a car from Copart?

Once you've paid in full, you can schedule a pickup through the Copart Transportation App. During normal business hours, please have your member number and lot numbers ready when you arrive at the Copart location. Need assistance transporting your vehicle? Use the delivery quote tool on the Lot Details page.

Who is Copart owned by?

Willis Johnson is the founder of Dallas-based Copart, a leader in online auctions for used and totaled cars; he owns about 6% of the stock. Johnson founded the company out of a single lot in Vallejo, California in 1982 after several years operating a dismantling yard near Sacramento.

Can I cancel a bid I won on Copart?

Once a bid has been submitted, it cannot be retracted, deleted, or cancelled. I. Risk of Loss. Each Member takes full responsibility and assumes all risk of loss for all vehicles purchased from the time Copart accepts the Member's bid.

Can you buy vehicles from Copart?

Buy It Now

Rather than win the vehicle at auction, this option allows you to buy it immediately at a price set by the Seller. If you don't like the price, you can send them your best offer with the Make An Offer tool, and the two of you can haggle to a price you can agree on.

Why is Copart taking my car?

When an insurance company takes possession of a car after a claim, it's typically because the cost of repairs exceeds the vehicle's value, classifying it as a total loss. Insurers then look to recoup some of these costs by selling the damaged vehicle through auction platforms like Copart.

Are all cars on Copart Salvage?

Copart has more than salvage vehicles—we're also the premier online wholesale vehicle auction service for clean title, front line cars, trucks and SUVs. Unlike salvage vehicles, our clean title, front line vehicles are like used cars that can still run and operate.

Where does your car go if it's totaled?

If your vehicle ends up being totaled, it will be towed to a salvage yard, so getting your items out now is important. If your auto policy has rental coverage on it, you have the option of renting a vehicle after your car is totaled.

What happens if I don't pay for a winning bid on Copart?

If the buyer does not pay for the vehicle or does not pick it up, the vehicle may be re-listed by Copart. In this case, the buyer is obliged to pay the Relist fee, which is a certain percentage of the cost of the car.

Are you allowed to start cars at Copart?

As a safety precaution, please do not attempt to start a vehicle without a Copart employee.

Can you only bid on one car at a time on Copart?

Basic Members can only bid on one vehicle at a time, with a limit of $2,000 Buying Power. If the price of the vehicle that you're bidding on goes above $2,000, you will only be able to bid higher if you've put down a deposit of 10% of the maximum bid you would like to make.

Can an individual sell a car on Copart?

Can I sell my car to Copart? Yes, Copart will buy your car and pick it up today! Call (800) 381-6219 for your free quote, or fill out the form on the Sell a Vehicle page, and we'll contact you directly.

Can you inspect cars at Copart?

Inspection is limited to vehicles currently listed for sale. Tools of any kind, including diagnostic code readers, are not allowed in the yard. See a staff member if you need assistance with a vehicle. As a safety precaution, please do not attempt to start a vehicle without a Copart employee.

Do you need a driver's license to buy from Copart?

When you choose a Membership level, Copart will ask you a few questions to determine where you can buy and what type of credentials you'll need. All Members must have a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or ID card.

Can normal people bid on Copart?

Public buyers are eligible to bid on Copart auctions. 'No license required' vehicles are open to the public without restriction.

How does Copart make money?

Copart makes money via online vehicle auctions. They are active in the buying and selling of used and salvage vehicles. Every day, Copart has more than 175,000 vehicles up for auction. The American company makes money from fees charged to both buyers and sellers participating in its online auctions.

How much is a Copart membership?

Basic Membership ($99)

This Membership is for someone who occasionally wants to buy cars, such as a rebuilder, hobbyist, or consumer.