Want your own numbers? The Copart calculator shows every fee and your profit as you type.
Open the Copart US fee calculatorThe most common Copart mistake is bidding up to what a car is worth instead of what it is worth to you after costs. Fees, transport and repairs have to come out of the resale price first. The Copart fee calculator works backward to your maximum bid.
Step 1: Estimate resale value
Look at sold prices for the same make, model, year and mileage in the condition it will be in after repairs. Use real sold prices where you can, not asking prices.
Step 2: Estimate repairs honestly
Price parts and labour from the photos and condition report, then add a buffer. Hidden damage is common, so 20% on top is sensible for vehicles you have not inspected.
Step 3: Add transport and paperwork
Get a transport quote from the yard to your location. Add registration, inspection and title costs for your state.
Step 4: Let the calculator handle fees
Here is a car worth $9,000 after repairs, with $450 transport and $1,800 of repairs.
| Bid | Copart fees | Copart total | All-in cost | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,000.00 | $960.00 | $4,960.00 | $7,210.00 | $1,790.00 |
| $4,500.00 | $985.00 | $5,485.00 | $7,735.00 | $1,265.00 |
| $5,000.00 | $1,010.00 | $6,010.00 | $8,260.00 | $740.00 |
| $5,500.00 | $1,010.00 | $6,510.00 | $8,760.00 | $240.00 |
| $5,999.00 | $1,010.00 | $7,009.00 | $9,259.00 | −$259.00 |
| $6,000.00 | $1,055.00 | $7,055.00 | $9,305.00 | −$305.00 |
At a $5,000 bid, the profit is about $740. At $6,000, it is a small loss. Enter your target profit and the calculator shows the highest bid that still achieves it.
Step 5: Stick to it
Enter your maximum as a pre-bid, or write it down if bidding live. Auctions are designed to pull bids higher, and a few hundred dollars over your limit can erase the whole profit.
Check fee steps near your limit
If your maximum sits just above a buyer fee tier, dropping it by a few dollars can save $40 or more. See Copart buyer fees by bid. For costs outside Copart, read Copart hidden costs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out a maximum bid on Copart?
Take the resale value, subtract repairs, transport, paperwork and your target profit, then subtract Copart’s fees for that price level. The calculator does this automatically.
How much profit should I aim for on a Copart car?
Enough to cover risk. Many flippers aim for at least 15% to 20% of resale value because hidden damage is common.
Run your next bid through the calculator before you commit.
Open the Copart US fee calculatorRelated guides
- CopartCopart Fees Explained: A Guide for US Buyers
Every Copart fee US buyers should budget for: buyer fees, virtual bid fees, gate, environmental, title, storage and late payment charges.
- CopartCopart Buyer Fees by Bid Amount (Clean Title)
Estimated Copart buyer fees for clean-title vehicles by bid amount, how the tiers work and how to avoid bidding just over a fee jump.
- CopartCopart Virtual Bid Fee: Online vs Pre-Bid Costs
What the Copart virtual bid fee costs, how it compares with pre-bidding and bidding in person, and when each option makes sense.
- CopartCopart Hidden Costs: What Buyers Forget to Budget
The costs Copart buyers often miss: storage, late fees, broker fees, transport, sales tax, title work and repairs, and how to plan for them.
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- StripeStripe International Card & Currency Fees (US)
How Stripe charges US businesses for international cards and currency conversion, with examples and ways to reduce cross-border costs.