Comparison
Copart vs IAA: which salvage auction is right for you?
Copart and IAA (IAAI) are the two largest salvage-vehicle auction networks in North America. Here's how they compare on coverage, currencies, title brands and bidding — and how to watch both at once.
Copart
Copart runs online salvage and clean-title auctions across the USA, Canada, the UK and Germany, with a Buy It Now option on many lots. Bidding is largely virtual (VB3) and open to registered members, with dealer access for restricted-title vehicles.
IAA
IAA (Insurance Auto Auctions) sells insurance total-loss and salvage vehicles across the USA, Canada and the UK. It offers live and pre-bid auctions plus Buy Now, and detailed condition reports on many lots.
| Feature | Copart | IAA |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | USA, Canada, UK, Germany | USA, Canada, UK |
| Currencies | USD · CAD · GBP · EUR | USD · CAD · GBP |
| Title brands | DMV title codes (salvage, clean, non-repairable…) | Branded/non-branded (salvage, rebuildable, parts-only) |
| Bidding | Virtual pre-bid + live, Buy It Now | Live + pre-bid, Buy Now |
Don't choose — watch both
SalvageAlert monitors Copart (Canada, USA, UK, Germany), IAA (Canada, USA, UK) and GovDeals from one dashboard. Save a search once and get an instant Telegram or push alert the moment a matching car lists on either platform, with a fee calculator that normalizes every price to your currency.
Is Copart or IAA cheaper?
Neither is consistently cheaper — final cost depends on the winning bid plus each platform's buyer fees, which scale with price and vary by state and title type. SalvageAlert's fee calculator shows the true all-in cost side by side so you can compare like for like.
Can I bid on Copart and IAA without a dealer license?
Both let registered members bid on many clean- and salvage-title lots, but restricted or non-repairable titles often require a licensed dealer or a broker in your state. Rules vary by location, so check the specific lot's requirements before bidding.