Auction guide

How Copart and IAAI auctions work: complete guide for Georgia buyers

Everything you need to know about the two largest US auto auctions before you place your first bid.

By Bg Cars teamUpdated May 20267 min read

What are Copart and IAAI?

Copart and IAAI (Insurance Auto Auctions) are the two largest vehicle auction platforms in the United States. Together they list over 300,000 vehicles at any given time — from lightly damaged cars and rental fleet to high-end write-offs. Georgian importers use these platforms because they offer the widest selection at prices 30–60% below Georgian retail, transparent auction history, and fully online purchasing without traveling to the US. Bg Cars's search tool covers both simultaneously.

Vehicle title types: what each one means

Clean Title

No major damage record. Former rental, fleet, or dealer trade-in vehicles. Easiest to register in Georgia, best resale value. Costs slightly more at auction but requires no repair.

Salvage Title

Insurer declared the car a total loss — after an accident, flood, hail, or theft recovery. Legal to import and register in Georgia after passing a technical inspection. Significantly cheaper but may need repairs.

Rebuilt / Reconstructed

A salvage-title car that was repaired and re-inspected in the US. Georgian customs treats it as a regular import. Request the Rebuilt title certificate from your broker.

Parts Only

Cannot be titled or legally driven. Do not import — it cannot be registered in Georgia under any circumstances.

How the bidding process works

Pre-bid (maximum bid)

Set the highest price you're willing to pay before the live auction starts. The system automatically bids on your behalf up to your limit. Most common method for Georgian importers.

Virtual bid (live auction)

Bid in real time during the auction event. Each lot lasts 30–90 seconds — be ready with a clear maximum before the lot opens.

Buy Now

Some lots have a fixed Buy Now price. No auction wait — purchase immediately. Good for popular models where competition is intense.

Timing

Most auctions run Monday–Friday, US time. Georgia is 8–9 hours ahead — plan for evening bids. Your broker handles this timing on your behalf.

Buyer's fees — what you actually pay on top

Winning the auction is not the total price. Copart and IAAI both charge a buyer's fee on top of the hammer price. Fees scale with the purchase price: approximately $515 on a $1,500 car, $700 on a $3,000 car, $880 on a $5,000 car, and $995 on a $7,000 car. This all-in figure already includes the internet bid fee, the gate fee and the environmental fee. Use our Copart/IAAI calculator for the exact amount before you bid.

Rule: never set your maximum bid equal to your total budget. Buyer's fees add roughly $500–$1,200 on top of the winning bid.

Five tips for Georgian buyers

Run Carfax before every bid

Flood damage, odometer rollback, and structural damage are common at auction. Carfax or AutoCheck costs $30–$50 and catches the most expensive surprises.

Stick to left-hand drive

Right-hand drive vehicles face triple the excise tax in Georgia. LHD is the default — only choose RHD if you have a specific reason.

Calculate the full cost before bidding

Auction price is one of five costs. Use our free calculator — enter the specific car and see the total landed cost before setting your maximum.

Study the photos carefully

Copart and IAAI provide 30–50 photos per lot. Look for frame deformity, rust on the undercarriage, water stains inside, deployed airbags, and missing components.

Use a full-service broker

Work with a company that handles everything from winning the lot to Batumi port pickup. Multiple middlemen in the chain increases risk and cost.

Sources & further reading

Frequently asked questions about Copart and IAAI

The most common questions Georgian buyers ask about US auctions.

What is Copart auto auction?+

What is the difference between Copart and IAAI?+

Can I find undamaged cars on Copart?+

Which website to use to find American cars for import?+

How do I bid on Copart from Georgia?+

What are the Copart buyer fees?+

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