What a public buyer can buy in Illinois
IAA publishes a state-by-state eligibility table for buyers without a business license. For Illinois it says:
| Buyer in Illinois | Clear / original title | Salvage title |
|---|---|---|
| Public (no auto business license) | Broker | Broker (salvage goes only to Illinois-licensed rebuilders, dismantlers or out-of-state licensed buyers) |
| Dealer, dismantler, exporter | Yes | Yes |
“Broker” means IAA will not sell that title type to a private buyer directly in Illinois; you need a licensed broker or an account under a licensed dealer. Copart applies the same state law through its licensing map and marks lots as “business license required”.
Illinois is the hardest state for private salvage buyers: salvage vehicles can be sold only to Illinois-licensed rebuilders, dismantlers or scrap processors, or to an out-of-state licensed buyer. Clear titles also go through a broker. A dealer-license account is the practical route.
The simple route: your own bidder account under a dealer license
BasicMobile is a licensed Florida dealer. We open a bidder account in your name on Copart, IAAI and Manheim, and you bid yourself from anywhere in Illinois. The state limits above stop applying because the auction sells to the dealer account, and the title is reassigned to you through the dealer reassignment process.
- One-time $100 opens your own bidder account on Copart, IAAI and Manheim under our Florida dealer license; it is credited toward your deposit and your car.
- Deposit to bid: 10% of your bid limit, $600 minimum (Copart, IAAI); 50% for Manheim.
- Service fee only when you win: $200 up to $5,000, $300 up to $10,000, $400 up to $30,000, 1.5% above (Manheim from $300).
- You bid yourself from our app; we pay the auction, handle the title and coordinate transport.
Fees on a Illinois purchase
Auction fees are the same for everyone: Copart charges a tiered buyer fee (for example $750 on a $4,500–$5,999 clean-title car with secured funds, 7.25% above $15,000), a $79 gate fee and a $39–$149 virtual bid fee; IAA charges a tiered buyer fee ($750 at $4,500–$4,999, 7.5% above $15,000 for non-licensed buyers), a $40–$160 internet bid fee, a $105 service fee and a $20 title-handling fee. See Copart fees and IAAI fees. On top of that comes our service fee from $200, state sales tax if the car is registered in the US, and transport.
Pickup, transport and titling in Illinois
- Copart and IAA both operate several yards in Illinois. The lot page shows the yard, and storage starts after the free days, so plan the pickup before you bid.
- We quote transport from the yard to your address or to a port; send the lot link and ZIP code.
- Salvage titles must usually be repaired and inspected before the state issues a rebuilt title. Check the Illinois DMV rules for your title type before bidding.
- Export buyers: export-only lots cannot be registered in the US and must leave the country. See buying for export.
Questions about copart & iaai in illinois
Can I buy from Copart in Illinois without a dealer license?
For public lots, yes, with a government ID. For most salvage and dealer-only lots in Illinois you need a broker, a business license or an account under a licensed dealer such as BasicMobile.
Do I need to live in Florida to use BasicMobile?
No. The account is issued under our Florida dealer license and you bid online from any state or country. The car is picked up at the auction yard or shipped to you.
How much deposit do I need to bid in Illinois?
10% of your bid limit with a $600 minimum for Copart and IAAI through BasicMobile; your first $100 counts toward it.
Get your auction account today
Direct access to Copart, IAAI and Manheim with your own bidder account under our Florida dealer license. One-time $100, credited to your car. Account issued within 12 hours, usually within minutes.
Related guides
Copart and IAA fee and licensing details are taken from copart.com and iaai.com as of October 2026 and can change; the auction’s own page is the final word. BasicMobile fees and deposits are as published on this site.