How do you ship a car bought at Copart or IAA auction?
When you buy a vehicle through an auction like Copart or IAA, the logistics involve more than just a pickup address. Carriers cannot simply show up and claim a car; they require three specific pieces of information to gain access to the yard: the lot number, the buyer number, and a gate pin. You must also ensure the vehicle is paid in full and "released" by the auction house before a driver is dispatched.
Because auction yards are high-volume facilities with strict scheduling, these pickups typically add one to three days to the standard timeline. Drivers must often wait in long queues or schedule specific loading appointments. It is also common for auction vehicles to be labeled as inoperable, meaning the carrier needs a winch to load the car. Providing Ship Car Pros with accurate details on the vehicle’s condition and your gate credentials upfront prevents the driver from being turned away, which saves you from costly dry-run fees and storage penalties.
