Frequently asked questions

Corp Auction is a US auto auction broker. We give individual buyers and exporters brokered access to leading US vehicle auctions — including Copart, IAAI, Manheim, Odessa, MPA, and more — without requiring your own dealer license. You search inventory, place bids or Buy It Now requests through our site, and we handle auction paperwork, payment coordination, and logistics.

No. Most wholesale auction inventory is restricted to licensed dealers when you buy directly from the auction. As your broker, we bid and purchase on your behalf so you can participate as a retail buyer or exporter. You still must register, verify your identity, and fund a refundable security deposit before live bidding.

Our storefront aggregates inventory from multiple partner feeds — Copart, IAAI, Manheim, Odessa, MPA, and additional sources as they are connected. Use the source filter on inventory or advanced search to narrow results by auction.

No annual auction membership is required through our broker service. You pay a refundable security deposit to establish bid power, then auction fees and our broker fee on purchases you complete. Visit the Fees page for buyer fee schedules across all supported auction sources — Copart, IAAI, Manheim, Odessa, MPA, and more.

Create a free account with your email and contact details. Registration is required before you can bid or submit a Buy It Now request. After signing up, upload a government-issued photo ID (passport or driver’s license) so we can verify your identity per federal and state anti-fraud requirements.

Auction regulations require identity verification for buyers and sellers to guard against vehicle theft and fraud. Your ID must be on file before you place bids. Upload it from your account profile after registration.

You can browse inventory immediately after registering. Live bidding and Buy It Now checkout require identity verification and a funded security deposit. Deposit and live bidding are rolling out in Phase 2 on this site — register and explore lots today.

A refundable security deposit establishes your bid power — the maximum amount you can bid at one time. It guarantees you will complete the purchase if you win. Deposits can be added by credit or debit card, Zelle, or bank wire depending on what is enabled on your account.

Industry standard for auction brokers: minimum deposit $600, which typically covers maximum bids up to about $6,000. For higher bids, the deposit must be at least 10% of your maximum bid (for example, an $8,500 max bid requires at least $850 on deposit). You can increase your deposit anytime from your account to raise your bid limit.

You can request a deposit refund from your account when you have no active bids or open purchases. If you already placed a bid, cancel it first, then submit the refund request. Refunds are returned to the original payment method within about ten business days after the request is processed.

Only deposits paid by bank wire can be applied toward the vehicle purchase. Deposits authorized by credit or debit card cannot be applied to the purchase price. After you fully pay the vehicle and auction fees, you can request refund of any remaining deposit balance from your account.

Auction sales have two stages: preliminary bidding and the live auction. Preliminary bidding opens when the lot is assigned a sale date and runs until the live sale. You enter the maximum price you are willing to pay on the lot page. You may raise, lower, or cancel your max bid anytime before the live auction starts.

Your max bid is the highest amount you authorize us to bid on your behalf. During the live auction we only raise your bid by one increment when needed to keep you in the lead. If you set a $5,000 max but competing bids stop at $4,000, you can win at $4,000. Place your true ceiling — you will not necessarily pay the full max.

You will receive an email notification and can increase your maximum bid before the live auction begins. Monitor lots you are watching as sale time approaches.

Some sellers list a fixed Buy It Now price instead of waiting for auction competition. You can submit a Buy It Now request from the lot page until the live sale. Our desk processes the request with the auction source. Buy It Now requests cannot be cancelled once submitted because they are sent for immediate processing.

After you win, you will receive an email with payment instructions and an invoice for the vehicle amount, auction fees, gate fees, and broker charges. Pay by bank wire or Zelle as directed on your invoice. Card payments are generally used for deposits, not vehicle purchases.

Payment is typically due within three business days of the sale, including the sale day. Late payment can trigger auction late fees ($50 per vehicle on Copart, with similar penalties at other sources), storage charges, and possible relist of the lot. Pay promptly to avoid extra costs.

Your invoice includes the winning bid, source-auction buyer fees, virtual bid fees (if applicable), the gate fee (Copart assesses $95 per unit), mailing fees for title shipment, our broker service fee, and any transport you authorize. Visit the Fees page for buyer fee schedules across all supported auction sources, plus gate and late fee details.

View full fee schedules →

After payment clears, our logistics team coordinates pickup from the auction yard. For domestic USA delivery we quote transport to your address or a holding lot. You can track status updates, photos, and milestones in your account. We act as a shipping broker and coordinate third-party carriers — transit times and carrier terms apply.

Yes. For export we can deliver to a port of departure, provide additional photos, load into a container, and arrange ocean freight to your destination port. International quotes are prepared after you win or complete Buy It Now. See How it works → Shipping for more detail.

International shipping guide →

Request a shipping quote as soon as you know you are buying a lot, ideally the same day you win. Shipping and related fees are typically paid in advance of dispatch. If you use your own carrier, provide release details before the auction storage deadline to avoid storage charges.

Yes. Auction vehicles are sold as-is, where-is, with no warranty from the auction, seller, or broker. Condition reports and photos are for guidance only. Inspect listing details, damage codes, and title type carefully before you bid.

Strongly recommended. Auction listings may not reveal full accident, theft, or odometer history. Order a vehicle history report (Carfax, AutoCheck, NMVTIS, or similar) using the VIN before you commit. This helps you avoid staged or misrepresented vehicles.

A salvage title means an insurer or authority declared the vehicle a total loss, usually after significant damage. Salvage vehicles can be repaired and re-titled in some states, but rules vary. A clean-title lot in one state may need a salvage or rebuilt title in another. Verify registration rules in your jurisdiction before you buy.

After payment, the source auction sends ownership documents to our broker desk. We prepare paperwork in your name and ship titles and bills of sale to the address on your account. Mailing fees may apply per lot. Allow time for auction and DMV processing.