No Damaged Car at Copart: Red Flag or Not?
Last edit: January 11 2026 • 2043 view
Hey guys! We keep getting your questions, and today I want to share one common case. Our client Hazel was interested in this car. It was listed as minor dents/scratches. Hazel understands that most cars on Copart and IAAI have some kind of damage, so he asked a very good question: “Is there any additional damage not listed?” Let’s take a closer look at this car and explain why we strongly did not recommend buying it.
If you look closely at the pictures, you can see that the car really does have only minor dents and scratches. For cars without serious visible damage, Copart and IAAI often use labels like minor dents/scratches, normal wear, unknown, or none. The meaning is basically the same: no major external damage.
In this case, the car is listed as run and drive and has no visible exterior damage. Does this mean the car is in good condition and will not need repairs after purchase? To answer this, you need to understand what run and drive means according to the auction.
“Run and Drive” means only this:
- The vehicle started on its own or with a jump box
- It was put into gear
- It moved forward
That’s all the auction means by run and drive. Of course, the car can be in good condition, but the auction does not do deep inspections and does not give any guarantees.
Is this bad? No.
Buying cars from Copart and IAAI allows you to buy vehicles for 30-40% below retail price. One reason for this is that the cars do not go through deep diagnostics.
Just imagine if this car had a full inspection and everything was confirmed to be perfect. Would it be sold for this price? Of course not. It would be sold for only 15-20% below retail, and a dealer would buy it and resell it for more. That’s why, if you understand how auctions work, you can save a lot.
Now let’s get back to this Kia Soul. Why did we not recommend this lot to our customer? There are a few reasons.
1. The seller is not listed. This does not automatically mean something bad, but it means we don’t know who is selling the car. It would be better if the seller were an insurance company.
2. Clean title. Surprisingly, in this case it is a red flag. Why? Because the car has no visible damage and no collision history. So why would someone sell a clean title car with no obvious issues at an auction? Wouldn’t it make more sense to sell it on eBay or FB Marketplace for a higher price?
3. And the most important reason, which you can clearly see in the pictures: the check engine light is on.
So let’s sum up our small investigation.
The seller is most likely a dealer who listed this car on Copart just to get rid of it. Even though the car has a clean title, it most likely has serious engine problems. If you read Reddit, you may know that the 2018 Kia Soul with the 1.6 GDI engine is known for serious issues, such as engine failure, high oil consumption, knocking or ticking noises, often caused by manufacturing defects. This can lead to recalls and very expensive repairs, unless the car had very good and regular maintenance.
Because of this, the seller likely decided to get rid of the car instead of paying for costly repairs. This does not mean it is a bad car. But if you are a beginner looking for a reliable daily driver, this is not a good option for you. For a professional who knows how to repair cars, it could be a good deal for flipping. That is exactly why we did not recommend this car to our customer.
If you are buying a car for yourself, follow a few simple rules:
- The seller should be an insurance company
- Choose cars with clear and visible damage shown in the pictures
- If you want a car with no damage, consider theft, vandalism, repossession, or stripped vehicles
- Always check vehicle history and sales history. This is easy to do with VIN.Doctor, and a report can save you from expensive problems.
I hope this was helpful. Choose your cars wisely, and always contact us if you have any questions. Happy bidding!
