Auction Costs

Alaska has several advantages for private buyers at online car auctions. There’s no state sales tax, title fees are low, and private buyers can bid on much of Copart’s inventory without a dealer license. But being able to bid directly... Read more

Utah has relatively straightforward vehicle registration fees. The title fee is $6, and the state uses an age-based uniform fee for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, and vans rather than a value-based property tax. This guide explains how car auctions... Read more

Hawaii’s auction access rules differ from what most buyers expect. In many states, salvage vehicles carry stricter bidding restrictions, while clean-title cars are generally more accessible to private buyers. Hawaii takes the opposite approach. Vehicles with clear, clean, or standard... Read more

SUVs were again the most popular U.S. vehicle class in 2026, capturing 60.9% of registrations. Enhanced safety is among the many reasons buyers prefer this segment. Generally, SUVs’ increased size and weight allow them to better absorb crash energy than... Read more

Missouri has one of the more distinctive salvage systems in the Midwest. The state calls its rebuilt designation “Prior Salvage” rather than “Rebuilt,” inspections are handled by the Missouri State Highway Patrol rather than a DMV office, and car registration... Read more

North Dakota keeps vehicle ownership costs among the lowest in the country. The title fee is $5. North Dakota does not require periodic emissions or annual safety inspections for standard passenger vehicles, and the 5% excise tax replaces sales tax... Read more

Flipping auction vehicles remains a viable way to make a profit in 2026, though profit margins have narrowed since the supply-constrained market of the early 2020s. Many successful flips generate about $1,000 to $3,000 per vehicle, with results depending largely... Read more

Tennessee handles vehicle titling differently from most states. There is no centralized DMV office handling these services. Instead, title and registration tasks are handled through county clerk offices. The state’s tiered sales tax structure also means that higher-value vehicle purchases... Read more

New Hampshire offers one of the most cost-friendly environments for vehicle buyers in the Northeast. The state charges no sales tax on vehicle purchases, the title fee is $35, and no annual safety or emissions inspection is required. For buyers... Read more