Won a Car at Auction? How to Get It Picked Up From Copart, IAA or Manheim

1. Pay the auction invoice first: A carrier can't pick up a vehicle that hasn't been released. Pay in full before booking transport.

2. Authorize your carrier in your buyer account: Most auctions require you to name the transport company in your buyer profile or provide a release.

3. Give us all the details at booking: Lot or stock number, exact yard address (not just the city), buyer number, vehicle condition and whether it runs.

4. Confirm the gate pass and pickup schedule: The gate pass or release tells the yard which carrier can collect the car.

5. Inspect at delivery: Compare the car to the auction photos and note any transport damage on the Bill of Lading.

Copart: Open to many public buyers depending on vehicle and state rules. Free storage is short — often just a few business days after payment — then daily fees start. See Copart auction transport.

IAA (Insurance Auto Auctions): Similar to Copart, with many insurance and salvage vehicles. Short free storage windows apply. See our salvage car FAQ.

Manheim: A dealer-only wholesale auction. Private buyers generally can't register without a dealer license or working through a licensed dealer. See Manheim auction transport.

Storage policies change and vary by location, so check your yard's current rules the day you win.

• Booking transport before paying: The driver arrives, can't load, and you may pay a dry-run fee plus storage.
• Not authorizing the carrier: The yard turns the driver away.
• Not disclosing a non-runner: Many auction cars don't run. Without a winch truck, the pickup fails. See inoperable vehicle transport.
• Using the city instead of the yard address: Large metro areas often have several yards.
• Hiring carriers unfamiliar with auctions: Yard procedures and hours are specific.

Auction transport is priced like any other shipment, with adjustments for condition. Typical ShipMyCar US open-carrier pricing:

• Under 500 miles: $400–$750
• 500–1,000 miles: $700–$1,050
• 1,000–1,500 miles: $950–$1,300
• 1,500–2,000 miles: $1,100–$1,500

Non-running vehicles add a winch charge. Learn more on our auction car shipping page and in the auction release protocol FAQ.

If you buy regularly, multi-car loads and standing pickup arrangements can lower your per-car cost. See auto transport for car resellers and transporting cars for dealerships.

Many auction cars, especially salvage and insurance vehicles, don't start, steer or brake. Tell us exactly what works:

• Rolls, steers and brakes: A winch can pull it on easily.
• Rolls but doesn't steer or brake: Needs extra care and possibly more crew.
• Doesn't roll (missing wheels, locked brakes): May need a forklift at the yard or special equipment.

Accurate details prevent failed pickups. See inoperable vehicle transport and our salvage car FAQ.

Beyond Copart, IAA and Manheim, ShipMyCar US arranges pickup from ADESA, America's Auto Auction, AutoNation, regional dealer auctions and online platforms. See ADESA auction transport, America's Auto Auction transport and AutoNation car transport.

• Get a shipping quote before bidding, so you know the true total cost.
• Check the yard's location — some metro areas have several.
• Read the auction's storage and pickup rules for that location.
• Budget for possible winch fees on non-running vehicles.
• Have a plan for title transfer and registration in your state.

The first hour after an auction win sets the tone. Most auctions send an invoice immediately, and payment deadlines can be short — sometimes within one or two business days. Storage fees often start soon after. A quick routine helps:

• Pay the invoice using an accepted method, and save the receipt.
• Confirm the vehicle's exact location, which may differ from the auction's main address.
• Check the condition report again so you know whether it runs, has keys, or has missing parts.
• Book transport as soon as payment posts.
• Authorize the transporter in your buyer account if the auction requires it.

Who can buy: Copart and IAA sell many vehicles to the public, sometimes through registered brokers depending on title type and state; Manheim is dealer-only.

Typical inventory: Copart and IAA lean toward insurance total-loss, salvage and repairable vehicles plus some clean-title units; Manheim focuses on dealer trades, fleet and lease returns and other wholesale inventory.

Release process: All three issue a release or gate pass once paid, tied to your account. Some yards only release to transporters named on your account.

Storage: Free storage windows are short and vary by location and account type. Manheim and other dealer auctions have their own removal deadlines.

Condition: Many Copart and IAA vehicles don't run; dealer auction vehicles are more often running and drivable.

Manheim and many other wholesale auctions require a dealer license. If you're not a dealer, you can't simply register and bid. Some buyers work with a licensed dealer who buys on their behalf for a fee. Be cautious with services that promise "dealer auction access" for a high upfront fee — verify who the licensed dealer is, how payment works, and who will hold the title before you commit.

A gate pass (or release) is the auction's permission for a specific transporter to take a specific vehicle off the lot. It usually includes the lot or stock number, VIN, buyer information and sometimes the transport company's name. Without it, the driver will be turned away at the gate. Forward the gate pass to your transport coordinator as soon as you receive it, and double-check that the transport company listed matches the carrier we've assigned.

Auction storage is usually charged per day after the free period ends. A few days of delay can easily cost more than the difference between two shipping quotes. That's why the cheapest-looking transport quote isn't always the cheapest choice — if it takes a week longer to find a truck, storage can wipe out the savings. Book with a company that can dispatch quickly on your lane.

If you buy at auction to resell, you can sometimes skip your own lot entirely and ship straight to the end buyer. That saves a handling step and a second shipment. Just make sure the vehicle's condition is documented at pickup so you have a clear record for the buyer. See auto transport for car resellers.

Auction buyers have two different things to check at delivery. First, compare the car with the pickup Bill of Lading to look for any transport damage — that's the carrier's responsibility. Second, compare it with the auction's listing and condition report — issues that were already there are handled through the auction's arbitration rules, not the carrier. Keeping those two separate makes any dispute faster to resolve.

• Pay the invoice right away.
• Confirm the exact yard or lot address.
• Authorize your transporter in your buyer account if required.
• Send the gate pass, lot number and buyer number.
• Describe the car's condition honestly, including keys and running status.
• Inspect at delivery against both the Bill of Lading and the auction listing.

How long do I have to pick up a car from Copart, IAA or Manheim?: Free storage periods are short — often a few business days after payment — and vary by auction and location. Book transport as soon as you've paid.

Can private buyers purchase from Manheim?: Generally no. Manheim requires a dealer license, though buyers can sometimes purchase through a licensed dealer.

What is a gate pass?: It's the auction's authorization that lets a specific carrier collect your vehicle once it's paid for.

What is the most common mistake new auction buyers make?: Booking transport before paying the invoice and authorizing the carrier, which leads to failed pickups and storage fees.

What happens if my carrier can't get into the auction yard?: Usually it's a missing release or authorization. Check your buyer account, update the transporter details, and we'll reschedule the pickup.

Can I pick up the car myself instead?: Yes, if the auction allows it and the car is road-legal or you bring a trailer. Many buyers choose transport to avoid a long trip.

Do auctions load vehicles onto the truck?: Many yards help with loading using forklifts or their own staff, especially for non-running vehicles. Policies vary by location.

Can you ship an auction car to a different state than where I live?: Yes. You can send it to a body shop, a family member, a buyer or any address you choose.

Do I need insurance on an auction car during transport?: The carrier's insurance covers transport damage. Arrange your own insurance before you drive the car after delivery.

How much does it cost to ship a non-running auction car?: Usually a bit more than a running car because of winch loading. The exact charge depends on whether the car rolls, steers and brakes.