Shipping a vehicle purchased at Manheim, ADESA, Copart, Barrett-Jackson, or any auto auction — what you need to know before you bid, and how to get your vehicle home.
Buying a car at auction — whether online through Copart or ADESA, or in person at Barrett-Jackson or Mecum — almost always means arranging separate transport to get the vehicle to your location. Auctions don't ship cars. They release vehicles once payment and title documentation are complete, and from that point the logistics are yours.
The process is straightforward but has specific steps that differ from standard consumer transport. The auction has its own release procedures, storage timelines, and gate fees that all interact with your transport booking. Understanding those before you bid — or at least before you win — saves time and money on the back end.
Complete payment and title transfer with the auction house. The vehicle cannot be released to a carrier until payment is confirmed and the release paperwork is processed. This can take 24 to 72 hours after the auction closes.
Contact us with the auction location, your delivery address, vehicle details, and your expected release date. We send a price-locked quote and book the load as soon as you're ready.
We match your vehicle to a vetted carrier running your corridor. You receive carrier details, insurance confirmation, and an estimated pickup window aligned with the auction's release schedule.
Carrier coordinates with the auction for lot release and pickup. Bill of Lading completed at pickup. Vehicle delivered to your address — inspection and Bill of Lading signed at delivery.
Release timing matters. Auctions release vehicles on their own schedule — typically 24 to 72 hours after payment clears, sometimes longer if title processing is involved. The carrier cannot pick up the vehicle until it's officially released. When you submit a transport order, give us the expected release date so we can time carrier assignment to match. Booking transport before release is confirmed is fine — we hold the order and dispatch as soon as the vehicle is available.
Storage fees accumulate. Most auction facilities charge daily storage fees starting a few days after the auction closes. Manheim and ADESA both have storage policies that kick in within 3 to 7 business days of sale. If transport is delayed — whether due to carrier availability, title issues, or anything else — those fees add up. Book transport early, coordinate closely on release timing, and don't let the vehicle sit on the auction lot longer than necessary.
Gate fees are separate from transport. Auction facilities typically charge a gate release fee paid directly to the auction at the time of carrier pickup. This is separate from your transport cost and paid directly to the facility — not through ATP. Confirm the gate fee with the auction before your carrier is scheduled for pickup.
Title documentation must be in order. A carrier cannot legally transport a vehicle without proper ownership documentation. Make sure title transfer is complete and release paperwork is in the carrier's hands before pickup is scheduled. Delays in title processing are the most common cause of auction transport delays.
The right transport type depends entirely on the vehicle. Most auction purchases — used cars, fleet vehicles, off-lease inventory, salvage titles — ship open without issue. Open transport is fully insured, handles auction vehicles every day, and is the cost-effective choice for vehicles where cosmetic perfection isn't the priority.
Enclosed transport is the right call for high-value auction purchases — Barrett-Jackson lots, collector cars, exotics, and any vehicle where condition on arrival is a significant financial concern. Enclosed carriers hold fewer vehicles, use hydraulic lift gates for low-clearance cars, and typically carry higher cargo insurance limits. For a $200,000 auction purchase, the enclosed premium is a rounding error relative to the vehicle's value and the cost of condition damage in transit.
Salvage and non-running auction vehicles require specific equipment. If the vehicle doesn't roll, steer, and brake, winch loading is required — add $225 to $500 to the transport cost and always disclose the vehicle's condition when booking.
The largest wholesale auto auction network in the US — 100+ physical locations nationwide plus online sales through Manheim.com. Dealer-only access. Storage policy varies by location but generally begins accruing within 3 to 5 business days of sale. Carrier must present gate pass at pickup. Transport orders should be submitted as soon as purchase is confirmed.
Major wholesale auction network with physical locations and online sales through ADESA.com and BacklotCars. Dealer and licensed buyer access. Similar storage timeline to Manheim — confirm the specific facility's policy. Gate release requires carrier authorization on file.
Primarily salvage and total-loss vehicles sold online to licensed buyers. Copart locations nationwide. Many vehicles are non-running — disclose condition when booking transport so we can confirm winch-equipped carrier. Copart has its own storage and release process; confirm with the specific yard before scheduling carrier pickup.
Similar to Copart — primarily salvage, insurance total-loss, and fleet vehicles. Online auction platform with physical yards. Non-running vehicles common; winch loading often required. Storage fees begin within days of auction close — coordinate transport quickly after winning.
Premier collector car auction — Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Las Vegas, and other locations. High-value vehicles, show-quality cars, and exotics. Enclosed transport with lift gate loading is the standard for Barrett-Jackson purchases. These vehicles often require specific handling coordination — contact us before the auction if you're planning a purchase so we can pre-plan the transport.
Major collector car auction with events in multiple cities. Similar to Barrett-Jackson — predominantly collector, muscle, and classic cars that warrant enclosed transport. Mecum events generate significant transport volume; booking early after winning is important as carrier slots for enclosed transport fill quickly after major auction events.
Auction transport pricing follows standard auto transport market rates — distance, vehicle size, transport type, and corridor demand. The auction location is your origin, your address is the destination. Pricing is the same whether the vehicle came from a consumer sale or an auction lot.
| Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $400 – $625 | $650 – $975 | 1 – 3 days |
| 500 – 1,000 miles | $795 – $1,125 | $1,250 – $1,700 | 2 – 4 days |
| 1,000 – 1,500 miles | $1,100 – $1,550 | $1,700 – $2,400 | 3 – 5 days |
| Over 1,500 miles | $1,325 – $1,665 | $2,100 – $3,500+ | 4 – 7 days |
Non-running vehicles add $225 to $500 for winch loading. Oversized vehicles — dually trucks, extended wheelbase, lifted — price higher due to trailer space and weight. Get a quote with your specific vehicle and route for an accurate number.
Tell us the auction location, your delivery address, vehicle details, and expected release date. Price-locked quote within an hour.
Complete payment and title transfer with the auction house, then contact us with the auction location, your delivery address, vehicle details, and expected release date. We assign a vetted carrier to your load, coordinate pickup with the auction's release process, and deliver to your address. No upfront payment until the carrier is assigned.
Transit time depends on distance — 1 to 3 days for under 500 miles, 4 to 7 days for cross-country. Add 24 to 72 hours for auction release processing after payment. Total time from auction close to vehicle at your door is typically 5 to 10 days on most corridors, longer for remote locations or if title processing is delayed.
Yes. We handle salvage auction pickups regularly. Many Copart and IAAI vehicles are non-running — disclose the vehicle's condition when booking so we can confirm a winch-equipped carrier. Non-running vehicles add $225 to $500 to the transport cost.
The buyer pays the auction gate fee directly to the facility — it's separate from your transport cost and not handled through ATP. Confirm the gate fee amount with the auction before scheduling your carrier pickup.
Open transport for most auction purchases — used cars, fleet vehicles, off-lease inventory. Enclosed transport for high-value collector cars, exotics, Barrett-Jackson and Mecum purchases, and any vehicle where condition on arrival is a significant financial concern. Not sure? Tell us the vehicle and we'll recommend the right option.
Winch loading is required for vehicles that can't roll, steer, and brake under their own power. This adds $225 to $500 to the transport cost. Always disclose non-running condition when booking — if we assign a standard carrier and the vehicle can't be driven onto the trailer, it creates a problem at pickup that delays your shipment.
Yes — and it's a good idea on high-demand corridors. We hold the order and dispatch when the vehicle is ready for release. This gets you ahead of the carrier queue without creating timing pressure. Just give us your expected release date and we'll plan around it.
