Bidding Guide
How Much Should You Bid on a Copart Car?
Bidding on a salvage car without a max bid formula is the fastest way to lose money. Auction adrenaline, hidden damage, and surprise fees eat profits before the car even leaves the yard. Here's the exact formula RepairIQ uses — and how to apply it to any Copart lot.
Want the maths done for you?
RepairIQ runs this formula automatically — enter the car, get your max bid.
The RepairIQ Max Bid Formula
Every profitable salvage bid comes down to one equation:
Max Bid = Target Resale − Repair Costs − Copart Fees − Desired Profit
If the result is positive and above the current bid, you have a deal worth chasing. If it's negative or razor-thin, the car isn't worth the risk. Write your max bid down and never exceed it — no matter how the auction moves.
Step-by-Step: Calculating Your Max Bid
- 1
Find the target resale price
Research what the repaired vehicle will sell for in clean, road-legal condition. Use Autotrader, eBay sold listings, and CAP or Glass's guides. This is your Target Resale.
- 2
Estimate the repair costs
Walk the vehicle or review damage photos carefully. Identify the affected zones — front, rear, side, wheels, structural. Get a body shop quote or use RepairIQ to estimate parts, labour, and paint. This is your Repair Costs.
- 3
Calculate the Copart fees
Add buyer fees (4–15% of the hammer price depending on your membership tier), the gate/collection fee, transport, and any storage fees. This is your Copart Fees.
- 4
Set your desired profit
Decide how much profit you want for the time and risk involved. Traders typically target 15–25% margin. Beginners should aim higher to absorb unexpected costs. This is your Desired Profit.
- 5
Apply the formula
Max Bid = Target Resale − Repair Costs − Copart Fees − Desired Profit. If the number is negative or below the current bid, walk away. Write down your max bid and never exceed it at auction.
A Worked Example
Say you're looking at a 2019 BMW 3 Series, Cat S, front-end damage at Copart UK:
- Target Resale: £14,000 (clean condition, 2019 3 Series)
- Repair Costs: £4,500 (bumper, bonnet, radiator, headlight, labour, paint)
- Copart Fees: £600 (8% buyer fee + gate fee as a general member)
- Desired Profit: £2,800 (20% margin target)
Max Bid = £14,000 − £4,500 − £600 − £2,800 =
£6,100
Bid at or below £6,100 and you stay in profit. If the auction runs past that, walk away.
Why Most Salvage Buyers Lose Money
The single biggest mistake is bidding without a written max bid. The second is underestimating repair costs — structural damage, airbags, and ADAS calibration are the usual culprits. The third is forgetting the fees. RepairIQ handles all three automatically, so your max bid reflects the true all-in cost.
Set your max bid before the auction opens. Write it down. Never bid above it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I bid on a Copart car?
Your max bid is the amount that still leaves you in profit after repair costs, Copart fees, and your desired margin are all deducted. Use the RepairIQ formula — Max Bid = Target Resale − Repair Costs − Copart Fees − Desired Profit.
What is the RepairIQ bidding formula?
Max Bid = Target Resale − Repair Costs − Copart Fees − Desired Profit. RepairIQ runs this automatically when you enter the vehicle details.
How do I know if a salvage car is worth buying?
If the formula produces a positive number at or above the current bid, it's worth chasing. If it's negative or too thin, walk away. Run it through RepairIQ before bidding.
What profit margin should I target?
Most traders target 15–25%. Beginners should aim higher (25%+) to cover unexpected repair surprises. RepairIQ's risk score helps you set the right target.
Related Guides
Know your numbers before you bid
Free salvage repair cost calculator — UK & USA. No sign-up required.