How to Transport a Salvage Car

The final step in the salvage vehicle purchasing process is considering how to transport the vehicle from the auction to your repair destination. It's important to note that it's illegal to drive a salvage title vehicle in most states, including California, so you'll need to hire a licensed transporter to deliver the vehicle to your desired location.

 

Large broker companies may offer their own transportation services, they often charge 30-40% more than third-party drivers. We recommend shopping around and hiring a third-party driver. Depending on the distance, transportation can cost anywhere from $200 to $600.

 

To avoid storage fees due to late pickup, start the hiring process immediately after you complete your purchase. Be sure to refer to the auction policies to verify the exact number of storage days free of charge (usually 2 days after purchase).

 

Once you've identified your transporter, provide them with accurate information, including:

 

• The auction address location (be sure to verify the vehicle location, especially for off-site sales where the lot may not be located at the main auction yard)

• Lot ID

• Year, make, and model of the vehicle

• Auction buyer ID (while you may have your own buyer ID with your broker, it is the broker company that purchases directly from the auction. Ask your broker for their Copart or IAAI buyer ID so the driver can retrieve your vehicle from the auction yard)

• Vehicle condition (stationary or "runs and drives", the later affects transportation costs)

 

Once the vehicle is delivered, it's a good idea to bring a jump starter with you, even for "runs and drives" cars. In most cases, a battery on auctions cars is almost dead.

 

Feb, 2023

SF Auto Labs.