If you're buying salvage vehicles, you've likely heard of Copart and IAAI—the two largest salvage auction platforms in the United States. But which one is better for you? In this guide, we'll break down the key differences to help you decide.

Overview: The Two Giants of Salvage

Both Copart and IAAI (Insurance Auto Auctions Inc.) serve as intermediaries between insurance companies and buyers. When a vehicle is totaled, the insurance company pays out the claim and takes ownership of the car. They then sell it through these auction platforms to recover some of their loss.

Copart is the larger of the two, with over 200 locations across the US and international operations in the UK, Germany, Spain, and other countries. IAAI has about 180 US locations and is owned by KAR Global, which also owns ADESA (a wholesale dealer auction).

Fee Comparison

Both platforms charge similar types of fees, but the amounts differ slightly:

Buyer Premium

This is the main fee you'll pay—a percentage added to your winning bid. Both platforms use tiered structures where higher bids have lower percentages.

For individual (non-dealer) buyers, expect to pay roughly 15-18% on lower bids, decreasing to around 6-8% on bids over $10,000. Dealers typically pay 2-5% less across all tiers.

Our take: The buyer premiums are close enough that you shouldn't choose a platform based on this alone. The real savings come from finding less competition, which brings us to the next point.

Other Fees

• Gate/Yard Fee: $79-89 (both platforms)
• Internet Bid Fee: $129 at Copart, $119 at IAAI
• Environmental Fee: $10-15
• Title Processing: Varies by state, typically $30-75

Inventory & Selection

Copart generally has more inventory simply because they're larger. On any given day, Copart might have 150,000+ vehicles available nationally compared to IAAI's 100,000+. However, quantity doesn't always mean better deals.

Many experienced buyers actually prefer IAAI for certain vehicle types because there's often less competition. The average Copart auction has more bidders, which can drive prices higher on popular vehicles.

What to Look For

• Search both platforms for the same make/model before bidding
• Compare bid counts—lower interest often means better final prices
• Check location—shipping costs can make a "deal" on a distant car not worth it

Bidding Process

Both platforms offer preliminary (pre-bid) and live bidding. The interfaces are similar, though many users find Copart's website slightly more modern. Both have mobile apps, though Copart's is generally rated higher in app stores.

One key difference: Copart requires winning bidders to pay within 3 business days, while IAAI gives you 5 business days. This extra time can be helpful when arranging financing or transport.

Registration & Membership

Both platforms allow public registration, but some states require a dealer license or broker to purchase salvage vehicles. Check your state's requirements before signing up.

IAAI offers a free basic membership, while Copart charges $99 for their basic membership. However, Copart often runs promotions waiving this fee. Dealer memberships on both platforms are free with a valid license.

Our Recommendation

Don't pick just one—use both. Serious salvage buyers search both Copart and IAAI for every vehicle they're interested in. The "best" platform depends on what's available in your area at the time you're looking.

That said, here are some general guidelines:

• Choose Copart if: You want the widest selection, better mobile app, and don't mind more competition
• Choose IAAI if: You're looking for potentially less competition and slightly lower internet bidding fees

Use our salvage auction calculator to estimate your max bid on either platform—we account for the fee differences automatically.