My Bid Was the Highest! What Do You Mean I Didn’t Win?
Last edit: February 24 2025 • 1504 view
Many buyers ask us: “Why didn’t I win the car if my bid was the highest?”
Let’s break it down.
Why Didn’t You Win the Car?
Not every car you “win” at auction is automatically yours. Here’s why:
Reserve Price: Some sellers set a minimum price they are willing to accept. If your bid doesn’t meet this price, they don’t have to sell the car.
Sale Status – every car is sold under one of these categories:
Pure Sale: The seller has not set a reserve price, and the lot will be awarded to the highest bidder at the close of the live auction. This is the best way to buy a car cheap at an auction.
Minimum Bid: The seller has placed a reserve price on the lot. If the minimum bid is not surpassed during the auction, the seller can accept the bid or decline the sale.
On Approval: The seller has the right to approve or reject the final high bid.
How to Buy a Car at Copart or IAAI Without Reserve?
IAAI: Every car has a reserve price, so you need to place your max bid. We are an IAAI broker, which means you can place bids on our website without a dealer license.
Copart: Some cars have a reserve, but others are Pure Sale – meaning NO reserve! The highest bidder wins, even if the car sells for just $10. Want an easier way to navigate the auction process? As a Copart broker we can assist you in placing bids and handling all the paperwork.
Right now, there are over 250,000 cars available at auctions, and 31,000 of them are Pure Sale!
Best Strategy to Buy a Car at Copart or IAAI
Search by make & model on our website. Under Sale Status, select Pure Sale. Place your max bid in preliminary bidding or bid in the live auction and win without reserve limits!
Pro Tip: Looking for the best deals? Buy a car cheap at auction by targeting Pure Sale vehicles – some incredible cars have sold for under $100!
Whether you want to buy a car at Copart or buy a car at IAAI, we can help you find the best deals, place bids, and secure your purchase hassle-free.
