Copart UK fees explained with a full worked example
Copart fees can turn a good deal into a bad one. Every fee broken down with a real worked example on a £2,000 car.
BUYING · 5 min read
Why fees matter so much
On cheap salvage, fees can be a third of your total cost. A car that looks like a £1,500 buy can cost you over £2,000 all in once fees, VAT and transport are added. Ignore them and your margin evaporates. This is the single most common beginner mistake.
The buyer fee
Copart charges a tiered buyer fee that rises with the hammer price. On a low-value car it can be a flat amount, on higher values it becomes a percentage. It is the largest single fee and scales with your winning bid.
The internet bid fee and gate fees
There is an internet or virtual bidding fee for bidding online, plus environmental and administration charges depending on the yard. Each is small on its own but they add up. Non-members or broker buyers pay extra on top.
VAT on the fees
In the UK, VAT at 20 percent is charged on the fees. This catches people out, because they budget the fee but forget the VAT on it. Always add 20 percent to your fee estimate.
Worked example on a £2,000 car
Hammer price £2,000. Buyer fee roughly £150 to £220 depending on the tier, internet fee around £39, plus admin and environmental charges. Add 20 percent VAT on the fees. Total fees land around £250 to £350. So your £2,000 car is really £2,250 to £2,350 before you have even collected it.
Do not forget collection
Transport is separate. Budget a trailer or Copart's delivery, plus storage if you do not collect within the free period, around £18 a day after that. The Analyzer folds all of this into your total investment so the profit figure is honest.