How to read Copart and IAAI auctions
Every lot comes with a dozen codes — and it's those, not the photos, that determine the real cost of the car. We explain what to look for before the first bid is placed.
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The lot card is a risk manual
Copart and IAAI are the two largest auction houses in the US. They mostly sell salvage (damaged) cars, along with recovered, lease, and fleet vehicles. Every listing — a "lot" — comes with a set of standard codes: title status, damage type, run status, mileage, and whether keys are present.
These fields matter more than your first impression from the photos. A car that looks lightly scratched can carry a flood title and "not actual mileage," while one with a badly bent bumper can have a clean title and full run-and-drive status. That is why we start reading a lot card from the codes, and only then look at the photographs.
Below we explain the codes that affect value the most: each one can shift the final cost by thousands, or disqualify a lot before the bidding even starts.
The codes that decide whether a car is worth it
Six fields from the lot card that drive the final cost and risk of a purchase. We assess each one before bidding.
Run & Drive / Starts
"Run & Drive" means the car started, moved, and braked on the auction lot. "Starts" — it only started up. "Engine Start Program" / "Enhanced" is the auction house's own verification. No note = unknown, so treat it as non-running.
Salvage vs Clean Title
The title is the vehicle's legal status. "Clean / Clear" — no history of major damage. "Salvage" — declared a total loss. "Rebuilt," "Junk," "Flood," "Lemon" — separate categories of risk and paperwork.
Primary Damage
The vehicle's main damage — e.g. Front End, Rear End, Side, All Over, Flood, Burn, Hail, Vandalism. It is the first signal of the scale and cost of repair.
Secondary Damage
Additional damage, often overlooked. Light primary damage plus "Secondary: Undercarriage" or "Mechanical" can mean a serious hidden cost. We read both fields together.
Mileage: Actual / Not Actual
The odometer reading alone is not enough. "Actual" — mileage is confirmed. "Not Actual," "Exceeds Mechanical Limits," or "Exempt" — the value is uncertain. Mileage status affects valuation and registration in the EU.
Keys
"Keys: Yes" simplifies diagnostics and handover. "No" means cutting new keys and possibly programming them — an extra cost and time that we factor into the estimate before bidding.
Frequently asked questions about auction codes
It is the auction house's note that the vehicle started on its own, moved under its own power, and stopped on the brakes on the lot. It is not a guarantee of full mechanical health or of driving on public roads — it is a test of basic functions under controlled conditions. "Starts" means only that the engine turned over, with no attempt to drive.
Don't want to read lot cards yourself?
Point us to a lot from Copart or IAAI — we'll check the codes, assess the damage, and prepare a turnkey estimate. We reply within 24 hours.