Buying Flood Damaged Vehicles at Auction
Copart UK are leaders in the used and salvage auction industry, with over 30 years of experience in our field. Our patented online auction platform makes it easy for our Members to search for, bid on and win thousands of used and salvage vehicles every single day.
What Are Flood Damaged Vehicles?
If a vehicle is flood damaged, it does not necessarily mean it has been fully submerged into water. The term ‘Flood damaged vehicle’ covers all levels of damage sustained from liquids, whether it is corrosive, polluted, contaminated or saltwater damage. See our selection of flood damaged vehicles for examples!
Why Buy Flood Damaged Vehicles?
Sourcing salvageable parts from flood damaged vehicles can be better for the environment, because you are utilising parts that might otherwise be going to waste. It can also be more cost-effective to buy a donor car to take the parts from for another vehicle, than to buy each part individually. On the other hand, however, some people might prefer to buy a flood damaged car and repair it with new parts. There are plenty of reasons! Buy flood damaged vehicles today.
Who Can Buy Flood Damaged Vehicles From Copart?
All our registered and Active Members can buy Category S Salvage, Category N Salvage and Category U flood damaged vehicles from Copart, providing they have registered online and agreed to our trade terms and conditions. However, to buy a Category B Breaker flood damaged vehicle, by law you would need to possess the correct license(s) that allows you to buy, store and destroy Category B vehicles. You can find out more about the licenses required to purchase Category B Vehicles here.
How Can I Purchase CAT B Vehicles Without a CAT B Licence?
We would highly recommend the Bid & Breaker Service from our sister company U-Pull-It, where you will receive a 10% discount if you are a Copart Member.
What Are Vehicle Salvage Categories?
A – Scrap
A scrap car has been damaged beyond repair and the vehicle frame and salvageable parts must not be returned to the road. The vehicle will be crushed, along with all salvageable parts. It's important to note that at Copart, Scrap vehicles are not for sale in our auctions to Members.
B – Breaker vehicles
A Category B Breaker vehicle should not reappear on the road, although unlike CAT A vehicles, some of the vehicle’s parts can be salvaged and used in other road-going vehicles. The vehicle shell must be crushed after. More information about buying CAT B’s from Copart can be found on our Buying Category Bs section.
S – Salvage
Repairable Structural - A Category S vehicle has sustained damage to its structural frame or chassis and the insurer/ self-insured owner has decided not to repair the vehicle. CAT S vehicles can reappear on the road.
N – Salvage
Repairable Non-Structural - A Category N vehicle has not sustained damage to its structural frame or chassis and the insurer/ self-insured owner has decided not to repair the vehicle. CAT N vehicles can reappear on the road.
What Can I Look out for When Buying a Flood Damaged Vehicle from Copart?
Flood Symbol
If you see the flood symbol on one of our vehicles, it highlights that the vehicle has been decontaminated. Polygon Decontamination Service (UK Patent No.2472429) uses industry leading restoration technologies to decontaminate fire & water damaged vehicles. This process significantly improves the quality of salvage and ensures completed vehicles are in line with relevant environmental health standards.
Primary Damage: WATER/FLOOD
Where WATER/FLOOD is listed as a vehicle’s primary damage, it means the vehicle has sustained water damage to the vehicle interior - or mechanical defects to the engine/transmission - due to water ingestion. Use in conjunction with the ‘Flood Line Marker’ process.
I Want to Buy Flood Damaged Vehicles, What Are My Next Steps?
To start bidding and buying flood damaged vehicles in our auctions, you must complete the registration process to become a Member. Head to our registration page to get started today. Please note, you will be required to send us the following in order to become an Active Member:
Can I Sell Flood Damaged Vehicles Through Copart?
Yes, you can sell your vehicles in an auction. We handle over 400,000 vehicles each year and reach thousands of Members worldwide. Our online auctions could be a fantastic place to give your flood damaged vehicles great exposure to a huge audience.
References:
RAC. (2018). What is an insurance write-off?. Available: https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/know-how/what-is-an-insurance-write-off/. Last accessed 29th May 2020.