You Won the Bid. We Handle Everything After.
Auction vehicle transport is not standard car shipping. Storage fee clocks start ticking the moment you win. Gate passes expire. Release documents get rejected over name mismatches. Approved Auto Transport handles all of it — so your vehicle moves before the fees start stacking up.
Ready to move your auction vehicle?
Auctions We Work With — Nationwide.
Auctions We Work With
Copart
The largest salvage and used vehicle auction in the US. Copart requires a Gate Pass PIN generated through your member dashboard. Storage fees begin after 7 days. Non-running vehicles are common and we coordinate forklift or winch loading on your behalf.
IAA (Insurance Auto Auctions)
Specializes in insurance loss, salvage, and clean-title vehicles. IAA requires a vehicle release form. Storage fees begin after 5 days. We coordinate the release authorization and ensure the carrier name matches exactly to avoid access denials.
Manheim
The largest dealer-only wholesale auction network in the US with 100+ locations. Manheim handles releases through their dealer network. We work directly with Manheim coordinators at each location to ensure clean gate authorization.
ADESA
A major wholesale auction platform operating physical and digital lanes nationwide. ADESA release coordination requires buyer number and lot authorization. We handle the documentation directly.
ACV Auctions
A growing digital-first dealer auction platform. ACV vehicles are typically located at dealer lots and require coordinated pickup with the selling dealer. We manage that communication on your behalf.
Bring a Trailer (BaT)
The premier online marketplace for collector, enthusiast, classic, and vintage vehicles. Bring a Trailer buyers are typically purchasing higher-value vehicles where enclosed transport is strongly recommended to protect against road debris, weather, and UV exposure. BaT vehicles are sold by private sellers and pickup is coordinated directly with the seller. We manage that communication on your behalf and recommend enclosed transport for most BaT purchases. Contact us to discuss the right transport option for your specific vehicle before booking.
OpenLane (formerly OPENLANE)
A digital wholesale platform used by dealers and fleet sellers. We coordinate pickup from OpenLane selling locations nationwide.
Independent & Regional Auctions
We handle pickups from hundreds of independent auction houses, dealer auctions, and salvage yards nationwide. If it has a lot number and a gate, we can get your vehicle out.
Approved Transport Group LLC is an independent licensed auto transport broker. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an official partner of any auction platform listed. All platform names are referenced for identification purposes only.
The clock starts when you win. Here is what most buyers do not know.
Why Auction Transport Is Different
Storage Fees Start Immediately
Copart charges approximately $20 per day after 7 days. IAA begins fees after 5 days. Most auction houses impose daily storage charges that apply whether or not your carrier has been assigned. Every day of delay costs real money. We target dispatch within 24 to 48 hours of receiving your booking to protect your timeline and minimize storage exposure.
Gate Pass and Release Documentation Is Everything
The single most common cause of carrier delays at auction lots is documentation errors — wrong name on the gate pass, missing buyer authorization, or expired release window. At Copart, the gate pass name must match the authorized pickup party exactly. At IAA, the vehicle release form must be current and properly issued. We coordinate all of this before the carrier arrives at the gate.
Non-Running Vehicles Need Specialized Equipment
A significant portion of auction vehicles — particularly from Copart and IAA — are non-running, salvage, or have structural damage. We dispatch carriers equipped for winch loading, forklift coordination, and low-clearance vehicles. Non-running vehicles are not a problem — they just need to be disclosed upfront so we match the right equipment.
What to have ready when you contact us
What We Need From You to Get Started
- 1Auction platform name — Copart, IAA, Manheim, ADESA, ACV, or other
- 2Auction location — full lot address, not just the city. Auction facilities have multiple yards in the same metro area.
- 3Buyer number — your registered buyer ID on the auction platform
- 4Lot number or stock number — the specific vehicle identifier on the auction platform
- 5VIN — the vehicle identification number for the specific vehicle
- 6Vehicle condition — running and driving, non-running, or salvage with damage description. Be specific. A carrier arriving for a running vehicle that is actually non-running will result in a failed pickup and a rebooking delay.
- 7Gate pass or release document — how you will provide carrier authorization at the specific auction. If you are unsure how to generate this, contact us and we will walk you through it.
- 8Storage fee deadline — the specific date storage fees begin or have already begun. This determines dispatch priority.
- 9Delivery address — full destination address including any delivery notes or access restrictions
- 10Link to the vehicle listing — optional but helpful. A direct link to your auction listing helps us verify condition reports and coordinate with the auction yard.
Not sure about any of these? Call us at (888) 594-2804 before you book. We will walk you through it.
Platform-specific requirements we handle for you
Auction-Specific Notes
Book within 24 hours of winning. Here is why.
Storage Fee Urgency
Storage fees at major auction houses are real and they compound quickly. A $20 per day storage fee on a vehicle sitting at Copart for two extra weeks adds $280 to your total cost before the vehicle moves an inch. On higher-value vehicles at Manheim or ADESA, fees can be significantly higher. We prioritize dispatch for customers who provide complete documentation at the time of booking. The faster you give us everything on the checklist above, the faster we can get a carrier to the gate.
What auction transport typically costs
Pricing
| Route / Service | Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Regional routes under 500 miles | Open transport | $550 to $900 typical range |
| Mid-range routes 500 to 1,500 miles | Open transport | $800 to $1,500 typical range |
| Cross-country routes over 1,500 miles | Open transport | $1,300 to $2,400 typical range |
| Non-running vehicle surcharge | Any route | $150 to $400 depending on equipment needed |
| Enclosed transport | Any route | 30 to 50% above open transport rate |
Important: The ranges above are rough general estimates only and are provided for planning purposes. They are not quotes. They are not offers. They do not reflect your actual shipment cost. Auction vehicle pricing is affected by a wide range of factors including current carrier availability on your specific route, vehicle condition and operability, auction location and gate access requirements, time sensitivity and storage fee deadlines, seasonal demand, and fuel surcharges. Your actual quote may be higher or lower than the ranges shown above. No rate is confirmed and no carrier is assigned until you speak with an agent and receive a formal transparent, itemized quote. All confirmed quotes are transparent and itemized with no hidden fees. No deposit is collected until a carrier has been assigned to your shipment. To get your actual quote contact us at (888) 594-2804 or submit the quote form below.
Auction transport questions answered
FAQ
Bought a Vehicle Somewhere Else? We Handle That Too.
Not every vehicle purchase happens through a traditional auction house. If you bought a car, truck, classic vehicle, or collector car through any of the channels below — we can move it. Same process. Same FMCSA-vetted carriers. Same transparent pricing.
Online Marketplace Purchases
Purchased a vehicle through an online listing? This is one of the most common transport scenarios we handle. The seller stays at their location. You stay at yours. We dispatch a carrier to pick up directly from the seller and deliver to your door. All we need is the pickup address, delivery address, vehicle details, and a confirmed pickup window with the seller. Works for any vehicle type including trucks, classics, project cars, and daily drivers.
Cars & Bids
Cars & Bids is a fast-growing enthusiast auction platform for modern performance and collector vehicles. Like Bring a Trailer, vehicles are sold by private sellers and pickup is coordinated directly with the seller. Given the vehicle values typically involved, we recommend enclosed transport for most Cars & Bids purchases. Contact us before booking and we will advise on the right transport option for your specific vehicle.
Hemmings and Classic Car Marketplaces
Purchasing a classic, vintage, or collector vehicle through Hemmings, ClassicCars.com, or a similar marketplace? These vehicles often require extra care — enclosed transport, soft-tie systems, and carriers experienced with low-clearance and non-driven vehicles. We specialize in this. Tell us the vehicle, the pickup location, and the condition and we will match the right carrier for the job.
Private Seller Purchases
Buying directly from a private individual — no platform involved? We handle private party vehicle transport nationwide. The seller does not need to be home for pickup in most cases as long as they can provide access and a key. We coordinate the logistics between you and the seller so neither of you has to manage the details.
Estate Sale and Inherited Vehicles
Purchasing a vehicle from an estate or managing the transport of an inherited vehicle? These situations often involve vehicles that have not been driven recently, may have unknown mechanical status, and require coordination with an executor or family member rather than the owner. We are experienced with this scenario and handle it with the appropriate care and communication. Disclose any known mechanical limitations when you contact us.
Out-of-State Dealer Purchases
Bought a vehicle from a dealership in another state? Dealers are familiar with transport coordination and most have a designated contact for carrier access. Provide us the dealer name, address, and your sales contact and we handle the rest.
No matter where you purchased your vehicle — if it has four wheels and an address, we can move it. Call us at (888) 594-2804 or get a quote below.
Ready to move your auction vehicle?
Have your lot number, buyer number, and gate pass information ready. We will handle everything else.
Or call us toll-free: (888) 594-2804