What Run and Drive really means at Copart
Run and Drive is one of the most misunderstood labels at salvage auction. What it guarantees, what it does not, and how to use it.
BUYING · 3 min read
What the label means
Run and Drive means that when Copart checked the car, the engine started, it moved under its own power and it stopped. It is a basic functional check done in the yard, not a mechanical inspection or a guarantee of health.
What it does not promise
It does not mean the car is roadworthy, that the gearbox is healthy, that it will pass an MOT or that it has no faults. A car can be Run and Drive and still have a slipping clutch, a knocking engine or serious electrical issues. Treat it as a green light to investigate, not a clean bill of health.
The other condition labels
Starts means it fired up but was not driven. Stationary or does not run means exactly that. Enhanced Vehicles and similar tags relate to how the lot is sold. Each tells you something about the mechanical risk you are taking on.
How to price the risk
A confirmed Run and Drive car carries less mechanical risk, so you can budget a lower mechanical repair figure. A non-runner needs a bigger buffer because you do not know why it will not go. The Analyzer defaults an unconfirmed runner to a moderate mechanical allowance for exactly this reason.
The smart approach
Use Run and Drive to shortlist lower-risk lots as a beginner, but still budget for the unknown. As you gain experience you can take on non-runners where the discount is deeper, because you can judge the likely cause from the photos and history.