Buy From Major Auto Auctions — Without a Dealer License

The auction fee is charged by Copart/IAAI/Manheim for selling the car — set by them, not us. Our service fee is what you pay us for finding, evaluating, and bidding. They are always separate line items.

Car price (your bid) + auction fee + our service fee + transport + smog/VIN/registration/recon + California sales tax. Optional: pickup/drop-off.

No — that is the current bid. Auction fees, tax, transport, and our fee come on top. Use the calculator for the real all-in number.

Type your total budget into the calculator and it works backwards to your maximum bid.

No — they are passed through at cost. We earn only our service fee (and any coordination/pickup fee).

No — if you win, it is applied to your total.

Registration depends on the vehicle’s DMV record. If a car arrives with registration already due or lapsed, California charges back-registration plus penalties, which can push the cost well above a normal estimate. We confirm the real number once we have the vehicle record.

Usually right away — we provide a temporary registration / report of sale while permanent paperwork processes.

In California, plates stay with the vehicle when sold — they do not leave with the previous owner. Most cars already have their metal plates; you receive new registration stickers. (Salvage/revived cars or cars with surrendered plates get new plates, mailed by the DMV.)

Registration card/sticker typically in about 2–4 weeks after we file; a clean-title pink slip usually in about 30–60 days. Times vary with DMV backlogs. Salvage/revived cars take longer due to inspections.

Yes — refunded in full if we can’t win or find your car. It is only kept if you back out after we win a car you authorized.

No-win → deposit refunded. We only bid up to your approved maximum.

Every bid costs us time and puts our auction accounts on the line; the small fee keeps bidding serious and is credited back when you buy.

No — we’re licensed and buy on your behalf.

You can browse and find cars; bidding needs a licensed account. Send us the lot; we bid.

No test drive — auction cars are sold as-is. We review the condition report and photos with you before you authorize a bid.

Not always. Missing keys/fobs are a possible added cost, which we’ll flag when known.

Salvage cars can be repaired and revived to a road-legal title. Non-repairable / junk / Certificate of Destruction cars cannot be registered to drive — they are parts/dismantle only. We always check the title brand first.

Most will, but some out-of-state, diesel, or imported vehicles have issues. We flag known risks; DMV/BAR make the final call.

No — no auction fees or bid deposits on inventory cars. You pay the listed price plus tax, DMV/registration fees, and any options you choose.

We’ll tell you each car’s exact status — smog, registration, inspections done or pending. Many are ready to register and drive; some are as-is.

Yes — inspect inventory cars in person; we share title status and available history.

Ask per vehicle — coverage varies; salvage/as-is cars are sold without warranty unless stated in writing.

We handle the full California revival — repair coordination, CHP inspection, safety inspection, smog, and DMV paperwork.

California sales tax and all auction/DMV fees are itemized separately from our service fee.

Yes, within our service zip zones; we also coordinate transport from the auction.

We confirm accepted payment methods (and the fast deadlines that auction purchases require) when you start your request. Please contact us for current details.