Purchased a car from a salvage car auction? According to our US car export report, you’re not alone. In the US alone, over 600,000 cars were written off by insurance companies in 2017, and sold at salvage car auctions. Here’s everything you need to know in order to get your car shipped up from the auction.

1. Pay for the vehicle in full

Make sure all payments to the auctions are made and approved before you being to plan transporting your vehicle. Payments could include member fees, and any past due fees, or storage fees owed.

2. Provide complete pickup details

Provide the pickup location and the date the vehicle will be ready for pickup. The earlier you get in contact with a shipping agent, the easier it will be to prepare the car for transport. Have ready the lot number, buyer number, vin number, and any other and information required by the auction for pickup. This will help the auction identify and release the vehicle in a timely manner.

3. Calculate storage fees

Most salvage car auctions give you at least 2 days of free storage after you purchased the vehicle. If the vehicle is not picked up in 2 days, the auction begins to charge storage at around $20 per day. Find out the last free day on your vehicle, and be sure to let your shipping agent know.

4. Know that a fork lift will be used by the auction

Because we are dealing with vehicles purchased from salvage car auctions, the policy at Copart and IAAI dictates that only a forklift will be used to move and load the car onto a trailer. Even if the car is in drivable condition, or even if it's an expensive car, Copart and IAAI will only use a forklift. This means that damage to the vehicle undercarriage is always a risk when buying vehicles from salvage car auctions. And if the vehicle is damaged, the salvage car auctions will not hold themselves responsible.

5. Keep track of car keys

Vehicle keys can be lost or stolen at salvage car yards. When buying the vehicle ensure that a key is available for the vehicle, and note down how many keys there are. The auction will usually zip tie the key around the steering column. However if the key is missing, an auction will decline responsibility as well. 

Be sure to check with the salvage car auction to find out if there’s any other requirements in order to pickup your vehicle. It will speed up the shipping process and save you on any storage fees.

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