What “dealer-only” means at Manheim
To register, Manheim asks for a motor vehicle dealer license and an AuctionACCESS ID. There is no public buyer registration like Copart or IAA offer for part of their inventory. A handful of Manheim locations host designated public auctions for repossessed, impounded or fleet vehicles (Manheim lists them on its Public Auctions page), but the national inventory, OVE and Simulcast are dealer-only.
How a non-dealer buys a Manheim car
- Through a dealer friend: possible, but the dealer carries the risk and the title goes through them.
- Through a broker: the broker bids and resells to you with a fee.
- Through BasicMobile: your own bidder access under our Florida dealer license, on the official Manheim site and app. You read the condition report and place the bid; we pay, reassign the title to you and ship the car.
With BasicMobile you get Manheim access the only way a private buyer can: your own bidder access under our Florida dealer license, together with Copart and IAAI. You log in to the official Manheim site and app, read the condition reports and bid yourself. We pay the auction, reassign the title to you and coordinate transport.
- 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.
All the routes, compared
| Route | Access | Inventory | Extra cost | Who holds the risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manheim public auction days | A few locations only | Repo, government and fleet units | Standard buyer fees | You |
| Broker bids for you | Online / Simulcast through the broker | Full | Broker fee, often $300–$1,000, plus a deposit | Broker, then resells to you |
| Dealer friend adds you as an agent | Full, AuctionACCESS badge on their license | Full | AuctionACCESS fee plus favors | Their dealership |
| Your own wholesale dealer license | Full | Full | Bond, state fees, months of paperwork | You |
| BasicMobile: your own access under our Florida license | Full: official site, app, OVE and Simulcast, plus Copart and IAAI | Full | $100 one-time, fee from $300 only when you win | BasicMobile pays the auction, title reassigned to you |
Why people want Manheim instead of Copart
- Clean titles: lease returns, trade-ins, fleet and rental cars, registrable right away.
- Condition reports with grades instead of a damage code.
- Wholesale prices, typically below retail and below dealer lots.
For damaged cars and the deepest discounts, Copart and IAAI are the place, and the same account covers them. See Copart vs Manheim.
What it costs
One-time $100 for the account (credited to your car), a deposit of 50% of your bid limit when you are ready to bid, and our service fee when you win: $300 up to $5,000, $400 up to $10,000, $500 up to $30,000, 2.0% above. Manheim buyer fees and transport are separate and quoted before you bid.
Questions about manheim public auction
Does Manheim have public auctions?
The national Manheim inventory, OVE and Simulcast are dealer-only. A few locations host designated public auctions for repo, impound and fleet vehicles, listed on Manheim’s Public Auctions page, but that is a small slice. For the rest a private buyer uses a dealer account.
How fast can I get Manheim access?
Through BasicMobile, within 12 hours of the $100 payment, usually within minutes.
Is the Manheim price the final price?
No. Add Manheim buyer fees, our service fee from $300, and transport. We send a delivered estimate for a specific car before you bid.
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.