Copart in Europe: How to Buy a Car at Auction and Arrange Delivery to the CIS

Where Copart Operates in Europe

When it comes to Copart's European operations, the Copart UK pages directly list the following regions and locations: United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Spain, and Finland.

Important: auction access rules and operating formats vary by country. What is "normal" for Copart UK may not apply to Copart Germany or Copart Spain.

What Types of Cars Are Available on Copart Europe

Copart does not hide the specifics: this is not a showroom of "only perfect cars". Copart UK openly states that the inventory includes everything from "graded used" to salvage, including categories such as CAT S (a British classification for insurance damage).

In terms of vehicle types, Copart lists more than just passenger cars: trucks, motorcycles, special equipment, and more can be found. This is also visible on the German version of the site (used and damaged cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.).

Auction Access: What You Need to Know by Country

Copart auction access rules differ depending on the country.

Copart UK

Copart UK explicitly states that it is a "trade organisation", and upon registration you agree to the Trade Terms & Conditions. However, they accept registrations from individuals as well: their help section separately describes the document package for an "Individual Buyer based in the UK".

• Annual membership — 100 pounds for 12 months.
• A photo ID is required, and additional verification may be requested.
• Activation for online bidding may take up to 48 hours after document upload.

Copart Germany

For Copart Germany the rules are stricter: purchasing requires business registration. If you do not have one, Copart offers the option of buying through a broker.

Copart Spain

On Copart Spain, the buyer page explicitly states: "Exclusivo para Profesionales" — meaning access is for professionals only, with a choice of subscription (Basic or Premium). The auction schedule is also listed there: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 11:00.

Copart Finland

Copart Finland's homepage mentions "weekly live online auto auctions" and also references sales of approximately 20,000 vehicles per year.

How Bidding Works on Copart

If you are visiting Copart for the first time, it helps to understand the bidding mechanics right away.

Live Auction

In the Copart UK help section on the bidding process, it is explained that you enter your bid manually or use incremental bid options. There is also a "Monster Bid" — a bid one or several increments above the current price.

Regarding timing: in the UK, live auctions start at 10:00 or 12:30 local time (this applies specifically to the UK).

Buy Now

In Europe, Buy Now is not available everywhere or on every lot, but it is used as an option. On Copart Spain, for example, it is a separate purchasing scenario through a subscription, rather than "mandatory bidding until the last second".

Fees and Payments: What the Buyer Pays For

The most common beginner mistake is to consider only the final bid. Copart UK has a separate help section detailing the cost structure.

On Copart UK, in addition to the "Sale Price" (the bid price), you may encounter:

In the UK there is also a distinction based on purchase volume: "High Volume" and "Low Volume" (the threshold is 12 vehicles in the current or previous year). In other Copart countries, the fee structure may differ, so the safest approach is to check the fee tables specifically for the country where you are buying.

• Buyer Fee (depends on the final price, payment method, and purchase volume).
• Internet Bid Fee (a charge for placing an online bid).
• Lot Retrieval Fee (moving the vehicle on-site from the storage area to the loading area).

Vehicle Collection and Documentation

Copart is an auction, which means "bought" does not equal "picked up tomorrow". After winning and paying, you typically receive pickup instructions, and then logistics take over.

If you are buying through a broker, the broker usually handles:

• Payment according to the platform's rules.
• Processing the documents required for export and subsequent customs clearance.
• Arranging loading and transportation.

Delivery to the CIS: The Reality You Should Know Upfront

Delivery to the CIS almost always consists of two parts:

Before exporting a vehicle, it is important to check current restrictions for both the destination country and the specific lot. This is a standard part of the transaction: sometimes the route changes, sometimes a particular vehicle cannot be exported by the chosen method. Therefore, delivery and documentation calculations should be done before placing a bid, not after winning.

• The intra-European stage (collection from the site, transport to a warehouse/border/port).
• Onward transit and clearance in the destination country.

How WESTMOTORS Typically Helps with Copart Europe

In short, the value of a broker is not in "pressing a button". The value is in navigating the entire process without surprises:

Conclusion

Copart in Europe offers online auctions with a wide range of vehicles: from regular used cars to insurance total losses and vehicles for restoration. Access rules and fees differ by country (UK, Germany, Spain, Finland).

Before buying, it is important to check export restrictions and calculate the full cost including platform fees and logistics.

Submit a request — we will find current Copart lots and provide a complete cost estimate before purchase.

Copart in Europe offers online auctions with a wide range of vehicles: from regular used cars to insurance total losses and vehicles for restoration. Access rules and fees differ by country (UK, Germany, Spain, Finland).

Before buying, it is important to check export restrictions and calculate the full cost including platform fees and logistics.

Submit a request — we will find current Copart lots and provide a complete cost estimate before purchase.