Auction condition labels explained: what they really mean

Every lot at Copart and IAAI carries a few short condition labels, such as runs and drives or no keys. These auction condition labels are useful, but they are shorter and less certain than many buyers assume. Here is what they generally mean and how far you can trust them.

What auction condition labels are

A condition label is a quick note the auction records about the car when it is checked in or inspected. It answers simple questions: did the engine start, did the car move, is there a key? It is not a mechanical inspection and it does not describe how well anything works.

Each auction defines its own labels and its own test. Two auctions can use similar words for slightly different checks, so always read the definition on the auction's own site, or ask your broker.

Common labels and what they generally mean

• Runs and drives: at the time of the check, the engine started, the car went into gear and moved under its own power. It does not say how far it can drive, or how well.
• Engine starts: the engine started, but the car was not shown to drive. It may have a transmission, steering or wheel problem, or it may simply not have been tested for driving.
• Stationary: the car did not start or was not tested. The cause can be minor, such as a flat battery, or serious.
• Enhanced: a label some auctions use for cars that received extra work or services before the sale. What it covers varies, so check the auction's definition for that lot.
• Keys or no keys: whether the auction has a key with the car. A listed key may not work every function, and a car with no key can cost more to move and to get running.

A check at one moment in time

Labels describe the car on the day it was checked, which may be days or weeks before the sale. In between, a lot can change:

1. Batteries go flat when cars sit in the yard.
2. Fluids can leak, and damaged parts can fail.
3. Cars are moved around the yard, sometimes by forklift.
4. Weather adds wear, especially on flood or fire damaged cars.

So a car marked runs and drives may not start on pickup day, and a stationary car may start with a new battery.

Why a label is not a guarantee

Salvage auction cars are generally sold as is, and the label is information, not a promise. It will not tell you about the engine's health, the gearbox, the electronics or hidden frame damage. Use it together with:

• every photo of the lot, including the engine bay and interior
• the damage type and the title details
• the mileage and whether it is marked as actual
• an inspection or extra photos through your broker, when the car is worth it

See the labels on Bidpier

Bidpier shows the condition, keys, damage and title details on every lot page, as the auction gives them, next to all the auction photos. You can filter the catalog by damage, or look only at Copart lots or IAAI lots. Or search a VIN to open one car and check its labels before you bid.