A comprehensive guide to the fees you'll encounter at Manheim, ADESA, Copart, and IAA auctions.
Types of Auction Fees
Auction fees can significantly impact your landed cost. Here's what to expect.
Buyer Fees
Most auctions charge a buyer fee (also called buyer premium) on top of the hammer price:
- Manheim: Typically $200-$800 depending on purchase price tier
- ADESA/Openlane: Similar tiered structure, $150-$700
- Copart: Tiered buyer premium, can be 5-15% for lower-priced vehicles
- IAA: Similar to Copart, tiered premium structure
Transportation Costs
If you're not picking up the vehicle yourself:
- Local transport (under 100 miles): $100-$250
- Regional transport (100-500 miles): $250-$600
- Cross-country (500+ miles): $600-$1,200
Other Common Fees
- Gate/check-out fee: $25-$75
- Title processing: $25-$100
- Late payment penalty: Varies, usually $50-$200
- Storage fees: $15-$50/day after grace period
Setting Up Fee Presets in RunsList
Create fee presets in RunsList for each auction house you regularly buy from. This ensures your max bid calculations always account for the correct fee structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main takeaway from Understanding Auto Auction Fees: A Complete Breakdown?
A comprehensive guide to the fees you'll encounter at Manheim, ADESA, Copart, and IAA auctions.
How should dealers use this before bidding?
Use the guidance before sale day to compare retail comps, estimate landed cost, set a max bid, and avoid vehicles where fees, reconditioning, title status, or buyer demand do not support the risk.
Who is this article written for?
This article is written for auto dealers, brokers, wholesalers, and flippers working on fundamentals who need faster auction decisions backed by comps, margin math, and risk flags.