1. Get an account that can bid on the lot
Register on copart.com with a government ID. If the lot says “business license required” and you do not have one, you need a broker or an account under a licensed dealer. With BasicMobile you bid from your own bidder account under our Florida dealer license, in our app, on Copart, IAAI and Manheim.
- 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.
2. Put the deposit on file
Copart Basic members need a deposit to bid above $2,000. Through BasicMobile the deposit is 10% of your bid limit with a $600 minimum, and your first $100 counts toward it. Bidding is enabled once the deposit is confirmed; browsing is open before that.
3. Pre-bid or bid live
- Pre-bid: enter your maximum before the sale; Copart bids for you up to that amount. Pre-bid fee: free under $100, then $39 to $129 depending on the price.
- Live virtual auction: lots run in order on the sale day; you bid in real time against other buyers. Live bid fee: $49 to $149.
- Buy Now / Make an Offer: some lots can be bought at a fixed price or with an offer before the sale.
Set your maximum from the total cost, not the hammer price: bid + buyer fee + $79 gate fee + bid fee + our service fee + transport. Use the Copart fee guide to work it out.
4. Win, pay, pick up
- Payment is due within 3 business days including the sale day. Late payment costs $50 per vehicle; unpaid lots are relisted after 8 days with a fee of 10% of the price, $600 minimum.
- Through BasicMobile we invoice you (card, Zelle or wire) and pay the auction; auctions do not take third-party payments on a dealer account.
- Storage starts after the free days. Book transport before the sale if you cannot collect quickly; we quote it by lot and destination.
- The title is reassigned to you through the dealer reassignment. Salvage titles need repair and inspection before registration in most states.
Mistakes that cost money
- Bidding the budget, not the budget minus fees.
- Ignoring “export only”, “bill of sale” or “parts only” on the title line.
- Not checking keys, run-and-drive status and the damage code.
- Letting a car sit in the yard while storage accrues.
Questions about how to bid on copart
Can I bid on Copart for free?
A Guest account lets you watch but not bid. Bidding needs a Basic ($99/year) or Premier ($249/year) membership on Copart, or a bidder account under a dealer license, which BasicMobile opens for a one-time $100 credited to your car.
What is the Copart bid fee?
A virtual bid fee charged on every online win: $39–$129 for pre-bids and $49–$149 for live bids, free under $100.
How fast do I have to pay after winning?
Within 3 business days including the sale day. After 8 calendar days the lot is relisted and a relist fee of 10% ($600 minimum) applies.
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.