Salvage Title — Worth It? How to Read Copart and IAAI Labels
6 min read
Run & Drive, Clean Title, Primary Damage — we decode the auction labels that decide whether a lot is a bargain or a trap.
Auction labels are the language Copart and IAAI use to describe a car’s condition and history. Understanding them is the difference between a bargain and a costly mistake.
The key labels
| Label | Meaning | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Title | Clean title, no total loss | Low |
| Salvage Title | Total loss declared by the insurer | Medium |
| Run & Drive | Car starts and drives on the lot | Low |
| Primary Damage | Main type of damage | Depends |
| Enhanced Vehicle | No key / does not start | High |
Car in the garage — assessing condition
A salvage title does not write a car off — but it demands an honest repair estimate. Always check the damage photos and the Primary/Secondary Damage description before bidding.