A dealer’s license can make buying from US car auctions easier, but you don’t necessarily need one to buy from Copart or IAA.

The catch is that you can’t bid on every car you see. Both auctions have vehicles that individual buyers can purchase and others that are reserved for licensed buyers. So you can spend hours searching for a car, find one that fits your budget, and only realise when you’re ready to bid that you can’t actually buy it yourself.

That doesn’t mean you have to give up on the car.

There are ways to buy without having your own dealer’s license, but which one you use depends on the car and the auction. You may be able to buy it yourself, or you may need a broker to handle the purchase.

This article breaks down how it works on Copart and IAA, including what to look for when searching for cars, when a broker comes in, and what to consider before you place a bid.

How to Buy Cars from Copart Without a Dealer’s License

Buy a “No License Required” Car directly

To buy a car from Copart yourself, start by creating a Copart account.

You can register as an individual and choose a basic or premier membership. For someone who is buying occasionally, basic is generally the more straightforward option. Once your account has been set up and your identity has been verified, you can begin searching Copart’s inventory.

This is where the No License Required filter becomes important.

Instead of browsing thousands of vehicles and checking the licensing requirement on every listing, use Copart’s search filters to narrow the inventory to cars that you are eligible to purchase without a dealer’s license.

You can then search within that group for the make, model, and type of car you want.

When you find a car you’re interested in, don’t stop at the licensing requirement. Check the title, damage, location, auction date, and other details on the listing. A car being available to you does not necessarily make it a good buy.

For example, two cars may both be marked No License Required, but one could have significantly more damage or a less desirable title. The bidding rules may be the same, but the financial risk is not.

You’ll also need enough buying power to place your intended bid. A Basic account does not automatically give you unlimited bidding capacity, so check your available buying power before the auction.

If everything checks out, you can bid directly through your Copart account.

Use Copart’s Approved Brokers to Buy Cars

A Copart broker is a licensed third party that can purchase a car on your behalf. Instead of trying to bid directly on a restricted vehicle, you give the broker the details of the car, and they handle the auction purchase using their licensing credentials.

An advantage to using a broker is that you may get more than just access to restricted vehicles. Depending on the broker, you can also get help with bidding, car inspections, transportation from the Copart yard, repairs, parts, and international shipping.

That can be useful if you’re buying from outside the U.S and don’t have someone on the ground to handle everything after the auction.

How to Find a Copart Broker for a Car

You don’t have to choose a broker before finding a car. A better approach is to find the car you want first and let Copart show you which brokers can facilitate that particular purchase.

When you try to bid on a car that requires a business license, Copart will indicate that you need to provide the appropriate license or use a broker. Choosing the broker option will take you to a list of brokers that can assist with that specific purchase.

This is important because a broker that can help you buy one car may not be able to purchase another. Licensing requirements can vary depending on the state where the car is located and the type of car being sold.

You may see established brokers such as AutoBidMaster among the options available to buyers. Before choosing one, look at the services it provides and its fees, if you also need help with transportation or shipping.

Once you select a broker, the broker takes over the licensed side of the transaction. You’ll provide the information it needs, agree to its terms, and follow its process for placing the bid. If you win, the broker handles the purchase with Copart and then helps with the next stage of the transaction according to the services you’ve selected.

One thing to keep in mind is that the broker is a separate business from Copart. Your agreement with the broker, including its fees, payment requirements, and any transportation or shipping services, is governed by the broker’s own terms.

So before you send money, make sure you know exactly what you’re paying for and what the broker will handle after you win the car.

How to Buy Cars from IAA Without a Dealer’s License

Use a Public Buyer Account

A Public Buyer account on IAA is designed for individuals who want to bid without having a dealer’s license. The important distinction is that public buying is based on state and car eligibility. Some states permit public buyers to participate in IAA auctions, while others have licensing requirements that restrict certain purchases.

Once your Public Buyer account is set up, you can search IAA’s inventory and look for cars you are eligible to purchase. Before bidding, confirm that the car is located at an IAA branch that is open to the public and that the car itself is available for public purchase.

If both requirements are met, you can bid directly through your IAA account. If you’re new to the platform, check out our detailed guide on how to buy cars from IAA.

For cars not available for public purchase, IAA also gives you the option to request a broker to assist with the purchase.

Use an IAA Broker to Buy Cars

IAA brokers can assist with bidding, payment, transportation and shipping, depending on the services they offer. Boacon Autos, for example, is an IAA broker that buyers can use when they need assistance with the auction process. 

You choose the car, work with the broker to place your bid and, if you win, the broker helps handle the purchase and the next stages based on the service you’ve selected.

Brokers charge a fee for their services and have their own terms and conditions, so check what is included before you commit. If you need transportation or international shipping, confirm whether the broker handles these services and what they will cost.

When to Buy Directly and When to Use a Broker

There isn’t one route that works best for everyone. It comes down to the car you’re trying to buy and how much of the process you want to handle yourself.

If the car is marked No License Required on Copart or is available to Public Buyers on IAA, you can simply use your own account and buy it directly. You choose the car, place the bid, and deal with the auction yourself, without adding a broker’s fee to the purchase.

A broker becomes useful when the car you want is restricted, or when you’d rather have someone help with the parts of the process that happen after you win. Depending on the broker, that can include payment, transportation and shipping, not just placing the bid.

If you’re still deciding between the two auctions, understanding how Copart and IAA work can help you see which platform and buying route makes more sense for you.

Whichever option you choose, don’t let the winning bid become the number you budget around. You’ll still have to pay the auction within its payment window, move the car from the auction yard, and arrange shipping. And before you bid, take some time to understand the different car title types so you know exactly what you’re buying.

Frequently Asked Questions