Shipping a car from an auction yard
Auction pickups are routine for our carriers but they have rules that a residential pickup doesn't. The yard releases the vehicle only to a carrier with the correct paperwork, during its loading hours, after the buyer has paid. Many auction vehicles do not run and must be winched aboard. And most yards charge daily storage after a short grace period, which makes a quick pickup worth real money. Big Bear's coordinators handle all of it; you give us the lot details and we give you a price and a pickup date.
What we need from you
- The auction location and lot number. Copart, IAA, Manheim, ADESA, ACV or a dealer or government auction.
- Your buyer number and the gate pass or release. Most auctions issue a pickup authorization once payment clears; the carrier presents it at the yard.
- Whether the vehicle runs. Be honest here. A car listed as "runs and drives" that doesn't start at the yard means a second trip and a second fee. If in doubt, book it as inoperable.
- Any damage that affects loading. Missing wheels, a locked steering column, flood damage or a bent frame may need a flatbed rather than a standard carrier.
- The destination. Home, a body shop, a dealer lot or a storage facility, with a contact who can receive it.
Non-running and salvage vehicles
A vehicle that doesn't run must still roll, steer and brake to be winched onto a carrier. If it can't, for example because of a seized axle or missing wheels, it needs a flatbed with a forklift or a specialized tow, which costs more. Tell your coordinator exactly what the condition is and we assign the right equipment the first time. A winch fee for a standard inoperable vehicle is modest; a second trip because the wrong truck was sent is not.
Storage deadlines
Most auctions allow a few business days of free storage after the sale and then charge daily. Book shipping as soon as the sale closes, even before the gate pass is issued, so the carrier is lined up the moment the yard will release the car. If a deadline is already close, ask about expedited pickup; on busy lanes out of the major auction hubs we can often collect within 24 to 48 hours.
Dealer-to-buyer and dealer-to-dealer
We also move vehicles between dealerships, from a dealer to an out-of-state buyer, and from online retailers to customers. The process is the same, with the dealer as the releasing party and a named recipient at the other end. We provide the bill of lading and condition reports that lenders and buyers ask for.
Pricing an auction shipment
Auction pickups are priced like any other route, with a winch fee for inoperable vehicles and an adjustment for oversized or damaged units that need special equipment. Pickup from the major yards in Southern California, Texas, Florida and the Midwest is frequent and competitively priced because carriers are there constantly. Use the quote tool above with the yard's ZIP code and the destination for an instant number, and select "not operable" if the vehicle doesn't run.