Packages & Pricing
Transparent, Itemized Auction Pricing
Our service fee scales with the vehicle's value. Everything else — auction buyer fees, California sales tax, transport, DMV, smog, and inspections — is passed through at cost and shown separately.
Service-Fee Tiers
The calculator sets your service fee automatically based on your bid. Bid service is for Copart/IAAI lots you found; sourcing service is for cars we find on dealer-only Manheim.
| Vehicle value | Bid Service (Copart/IAAI) | Sourcing Service (Manheim) |
|---|---|---|
| Under $15,000 | $400–$500 | $900–$1,200 |
| $15,000–$30,000 | $500–$700 | $1,200–$1,500 |
| $30,000–$40,000 | $700–$900 | $1,500–$1,800 |
| Over $40,000 | Custom quote — proof of funds required | Custom quote — proof of funds required |
Vehicles over $40,000 are a custom quote and require proof of funds before we bid.
The Four Packages
Bid Service
For Copart / IAAI lots you have already found.
from $400
scales with vehicle value
- You send us the lot number(s); we review the vehicle, title status, and condition report
- We advise a smart maximum bid, then place and manage the bid
- We handle payment and pickup coordination
Sourcing Service
For clients who want a car sourced from dealer-only Manheim and other channels.
from $1,000
scales with vehicle value
- You give us your target car, budget, and must-haves
- We search auctions, pull condition reports, evaluate, and shortlist
- We negotiate and bid to win
Full Service — Buy + Road-Ready
Package A or B, plus we make the car California road-legal.
coordination fee + pass-through
add-on to Package A or B
- Everything in your buying package
- Transport, smog, VIN verification, and inspection coordination
- DMV title & registration processing
Salvage Revival
For salvage-title cars that need repair before registration.
$400–$800
coordination fee + pass-through repair/inspection
- Everything in Package A / B
- Body-shop coordination, CHP salvage inspection, safety (brake & lamp / VSSI) inspection
- Smog, VIN verification, and full DMV revival paperwork (salvage → revived title)
Other Line Items
All shown separately and passed through at cost.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Per-lot bid fee (credited back on a completed purchase) | $25–$50 per lot |
| Good-faith deposit (refundable) | Greater of $1,000 or 10% of max bid |
| Transport from auction | Varies by distance / whether car runs |
| Pickup / drop-off (optional, in service zones) | $50–$100 |
| DMV & recon coordination (add-on) | $200–$400 + pass-through |
| Salvage revival coordination (add-on) | $400–$800 + pass-through |
Estimate Your All-In Cost
Type a bid to see your total, or type your budget to see the highest bid that fits.
Auction Cost Calculator
Everything updates live. Type a bid to see your all-in total, or type a total budget to see the highest bid that fits. Our service fee is set automatically by the vehicle's value.
Default is Los Angeles (10.25%).
- Auction fees Charged by the auction, not us
- $709
- Our service fee Bid service — by vehicle value
- $450
- Sales tax (10.25%)
- $513
Add-On Services — Making It Road-Legal
The certified work is done by licensed stations; we handle the running around and the paperwork.
| Service | For | Typical cost (pass-through) |
|---|---|---|
| Smog check | Emissions certificate (required in LA County) | ~$45–$75 |
| VIN verification | Confirms vehicle identity for DMV | ~$75–$200 |
| Safety inspection (brake & lamp / VSSI) | Required for salvage/revived vehicles | ~$40–$150 |
| CHP salvage inspection | Required to revive a salvage title | ~$50 |
| DMV title & registration processing | Title transfer and registration | DMV fees + coordination fee |
Coordination fee
$200–$400 for a standard recon/DMV bundle, or $400–$800 for full salvage revival. Covers our time transporting the car to stations, waiting, and filing.
Pickup & drop-off (optional)
For clients in our service zip zones, we can pick up your vehicle, take it to the smog/VIN/inspection stations and DMV, and return it. Zip-zone fee: $50–$100 (varies by distance). We photograph the vehicle and note existing damage, and you confirm it, before we take it. We carry commercial coverage for vehicles in our care during this service.
Always Separate From Our Fee
- Auction buyer fees & gate/documentation fees
- California sales tax
- Transport & delivery
- DMV, title & registration fees
- Smog, VIN verification & inspections
- Body-shop repairs & reconditioning
The fine print
All service fees are separate from the vehicle purchase price, auction buyer fees, applicable California sales tax, transport, DMV fees, and inspection/reconditioning costs, which are passed through to the client.
Calculator results are estimates only. Auction fees, transport, and registration costs (including any back-registration fees or penalties on lapsed vehicles) may differ from the estimate. Final figures are confirmed before purchase.
Vehicle availability, condition, and title status are determined by the auction and its sellers. Auction vehicles are sold as-is with no warranty unless stated in writing. Some title brands cannot be registered for road use in California. Salvage and non-repairable vehicles carry inherent risk.
Estimated prices for smog, inspections, verification, and DMV processing are ranges only and vary by vehicle and provider.
Apex Car Group LLC is a licensed California used-vehicle dealer with an autobroker endorsement. DMV license #35973.