Can you buy from Copart without a dealer license?
Yes. Copart itself says that no license is no problem: you can register with a government-issued photo ID and bid on vehicles that are open to the public. The catch is that each US state sets its own rules about who may buy salvage, rebuilt or dealer-only vehicles. In many states the better lots (salvage titles, newer cars, dealer-consigned inventory) are marked as requiring a business license.
Copart points private buyers to two options for those lots: buy through a registered broker, or filter the Vehicle Finder for No Business License Required vehicles. BasicMobile is a third option: your own bidder account under our dealer license, so you see and bid on the full inventory yourself.
Option 1: Copart public lots (free, limited)
Register directly on copart.com, upload your ID, and bid only on lots marked as available without a business license. Basic members must place a deposit before bidding above $2,000. Copart buyer fees, the gate fee and the virtual bid fee apply to every purchase (see our Copart fees guide).
- Works if your state allows public buyers and the car you want is in the public pool.
- Does not work for most salvage-title lots in license-required states, or for dealer-only inventory.
Option 2: a Copart broker
A broker is a licensed business that bids for you. As Copart puts it, when you use a broker you are buying the car from the broker, not from Copart, so the broker’s own fees and terms apply on top of Copart’s. Brokers usually charge a flat fee or a percentage per car and require a deposit before they bid. Read our Copart broker guide for what to check before you pay one.
Option 3: your own bidder account under a dealer license
This is what BasicMobile does. We are a licensed Florida dealer in North Miami Beach. For a one-time $100 you get your own bidder account on Copart, IAAI and Manheim under our license. You browse, watch and bid yourself from our app or the auction site. No subscription, no per-month membership.
- The $100 is credited toward your bidding deposit and your car. It is not refundable if you never buy a car.
- Bidding opens once your deposit is on file: 10% of your bid limit, $600 minimum, for Copart and IAAI.
- Our service fee is charged only when you win: $200 for cars up to $5,000, $300 up to $10,000, $400 up to $30,000, 1.5% above that. Copart’s own fees, taxes, title work and transport are separate.
- Your account is issued within 12 hours of payment, usually within minutes.
Deposit on file: $600 (your first $100 plus $500). If you win at $6,000, you pay the auction price, Copart’s fees, and our $300 service fee. Transport and title are quoted separately.
Which option fits you
| Public lots | Broker | Own account (BasicMobile) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who bids | You | The broker | You |
| Inventory | Public pool only | Everything the broker’s license covers | Full Copart, IAAI and Manheim inventory |
| Upfront cost | $0 plus deposit above $2,000 | Broker deposit, often $400 and up | $100, credited to your deposit |
| Fee when you win | Copart fees only | Copart fees + broker fee | Copart fees + from $200 |
What you still need regardless of the route
- A government-issued photo ID.
- Money for the full purchase within Copart’s payment window: the vehicle price and fees are due within 3 business days, including the sale day, or a $50 late fee applies and the lot can be relisted.
- A plan for pickup or transport. Copart charges storage after the free days. See transport and export.
- An understanding of the title. Salvage and rebuilt titles have registration rules that differ by state and country.
Questions about copart without a dealer license
Do I need a dealer license to buy from Copart?
Not always. You can register with a photo ID and bid on vehicles open to the public in your state. Salvage and dealer-only lots usually require a business license, a broker, or an account under a licensed dealer such as BasicMobile.
Which states let the public buy salvage cars on Copart?
It changes by state and by title type, and Copart keeps a state-by-state licensing map on copart.com. Rather than relying on your state’s rules, an account under a dealer license lets you bid on the full inventory from anywhere.
How much does it cost to get Copart access through BasicMobile?
A one-time $100, credited toward your bidding deposit and your car. Our service fee starts at $200 and is charged only when you win. There is no monthly membership.
Can I bid myself, or does BasicMobile bid for me?
You bid yourself from the app or the auction site with your own bidder account. We handle the account, payment to the auction, title paperwork and transport coordination.
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.