Q: Why was the Elite Auto Auctions offer deadline extended?

If an offer is received within the last 5 minutes (7:55AM - 8:00AM EST) of the listing deadline on our site, the offer end time is automatically extended for an additional 5 minutes. This feature has been implemented to allow the customer previously with the highest offer to submit a counter-offer. This counter-offer will extend each time a bid is made until the final closing time (9:00AM) is reached. We encourage each of our customers to submit his highest offer from the beginning. Doing so will increase the affiliated dealer's chances of acquiring the vehicle for the customer and will help mitigate further last-minute offer increases.

Question 1

What is Elite Auto Auctions?

Accepted Answer

Elite Auto Auctions is a global vehicle re-marketer with the largest selection of inventory compared to other competing sites in the market of all types of vehicles. Our website helps Auto Insurance Companies (among other sellers) find buyers for salvage vehicles, clean, or flood vehicles. We do neither own nor possess the cars listed on our website. We offer ALL types of vehicles directly from different insurance auctions and insurance companies located in North America.

Question 2

Is Elite Auto Auctions a live auction?

Accepted Answer

NO, Elite Auto Auctions is NOT A LIVE auction. Our users place offers on vehicles and Elite Auto Auctions in turn, presents the highest winning offer directly to that vehicle's affiliated Insurance Company. The Insurance Company makes the final decision on whether or not to accept an offer at the presented amount.

Question 3

How does Elite Auto Auctions work?

Accepted Answer

First, place an offer on a vehicle before the specified deadline. The customer with the highest eligible offer is notified shortly after the deadline and then guarantees his offer with a security deposit of $600.00 or 10% of the offer price, whichever is greater. The same day, one of our authorized affiliate dealers, on your behalf, presents the offer to the Insurance Company (closed to the general public).

If the offer is accepted by the Insurance Company, our authorized affiliate dealer acquires the vehicle for the customer, who is required to pay the balance within 24 hours (every day after the customer accrues a $50 late fee - per day). If the authorized affiliate dealer does not acquire the item, the deposit is refunded to the customer upon request. Alternatively, the deposit can be applied toward an offer on another vehicle.

For more information, please read our Elite Auto Auctions Quickstart Guide.

Question 4

Can I visit your location?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can visit our location and meet our staff. Most vehicles marked as 'inventory items' have already been purchased and are available for inspection at our authorized affiliate holding facilities. All other vehicles are located at insurance auction premises and are not available for inspection and purchase to the general public.

Question 5

What is a CDS Vehicle?

Accepted Answer

A CDS vehicle is a vehicle that most likely has been traded in by a consumer to a dealership and the dealership is now selling the vehicle. It can also be a dealer vehicle that is now up for sale. Dealer vehicles are also now readily available due to many dealerships closing throughout the USA.

Question 6

Preliminary Bidding Feature and Details on How Preliminary Bidding works?

Accepted Answer

A majority of Insurance Auctions, Salvage Auctions, and Auction Pool companies can sell only to a limited number of licensed and registered Salvage Dismantlers and Dealers. We possess all proper licenses and registrations and hence can acquire any vehicle for you anywhere in the country.

The actual live auction for these vehicles are not open to public, so unfortunately there is no way for you to participate. But you can participate in Preliminary Bidding. We will collect your bids and then present them during the live auction if you are the in-house high bidder. Many of our auctions are for bulk purchases and through agents and brokers so the auction price on an individual vehicle is not the same as or in any way identical to the highest in-house bid.

Bid Submission

Our model is COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT. You should enter your ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM bid/offer. You are submitting a PROXY bid/offer. When we bid with the insurance company or at the live auction, we will try to buy the vehicle as inexpensively as possible, and will only bid incrementally against other buyers up to your maximum amount. Sometimes even though we are the highest bidder, insurance auctions and companies have a RESERVE price. This means they have the right to reject a bid even though it is the highest offer. They have the option of re-auctioning the vehicle or we have the option of increasing the bid. We also work out bulk package deals to acquire other vehicles at lower costs.

Your total purchase price will consist, in part, of the actual sale price at the auction, as well as all applicable auction fees and IAI service fees. Please use our 'Fee Calculator' to obtain a cost estimate. Your bid represents your total liability before addition of fees as above. Because of our special relationships in the industry, there is no warranty or guarantee that your final bid will be equal to the winning auction amount. We often are required to pay administrative fees, broker fees, bulk sales fees, and agent costs in order to obtain the best prices. We do insure, however, that you will never pay more than your approved maximum bid before the addition of auction and service fees.
Most Insurance Auctions have the preliminary bidding option available to its buyers. Our system will automatically poll them and update the current auction price on our site. However, during the live auction the bidding usually goes much higher. Please don't rely heavily on the current auction price and place your ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM bid, because once the auction ends, we will not be able to increase your bid.

Question 7

Elite Auto Auctions's bidding period has ended. Is my offer the highest?

Accepted Answer

If a customer has the highest offer at the end of the Elite Auto Auctions offer acceptance period, the status of the offer will be determined and updated at 10:00 AM (EST) (2 hours after auction closing). It is the customer's responsibility to check his e-mail and invoice by selecting the 'My Account' menu and then the 'My Offers' option. The customer must then guarantee his offer with a security deposit of $600.00 or 10% of their highest offer, whichever is greater. In some case it might be $1000 or 20% if the vehicle begins with the inventory number that has the letter 'i' in front of it.

Next, one of our authorized affiliate dealers, on your behalf, presents the offer to the Insurance Company (closed to the general public). If the offer is accepted by the Insurance Company, our authorized affiliate dealer acquires the vehicle for the customer.

Up until the Elite Auto Auctions acceptance period expires, we notify customers when they have been outbid. We recommend customers to regularly check their offer's status in the 'My Offers' (or their e-mail) page before the acceptance period expires.

Question 8

Why was the Elite Auto Auctions offer deadline extended?

Accepted Answer

If an offer is received within the last 5 minutes (7:55AM - 8:00AM EST) of the listing deadline on our site, the offer end time is automatically extended for an additional 5 minutes. This feature has been implemented to allow the customer previously with the highest offer to submit a counter-offer. This counter-offer will extend each time a bid is made until the final closing time (9:00AM) is reached.

We encourage each of our customers to submit his highest offer from the beginning. Doing so will increase the affiliated dealer's chances of acquiring the vehicle for the customer and will help mitigate further last-minute offer increases.

Question 9

When will I be notified of the results from the Insurance Company?

Accepted Answer

All customers for whom Elite Auto Auctions is able to acquire vehicles for, will receive notification by telephone before 5:30PM (EST) the next business day after the auction has ended. Customers whose offers have been rejected by the Insurance Company will receive notification via e-mail.

Question 10

Why did I receive notice after the offer acceptance period ended that my offer is no longer the highest?

Accepted Answer

Even though a customer may hold the highest eligible offer on our site, the Insurance Company may have received and accepted a higher offer from another authorized party. Our system automatically checks for these types of statuses. As soon as we learn the customer's offer is not the highest at the Insurance Company, we alert the customer via e-mail. The customer has the opportunity to increase his offer by going to 'My Account', then selecting 'My Offers', and submitting a new offer by selecting 'Send Offer'. Once the offer is presented to Insurance Company by one of our affiliated dealers, the offer cannot be changed or withdrawn.

Question 11

What happens when my offer is submitted to the insurance auction?

Accepted Answer

Once you are the highest bidder at the end of an offer period and your account is funded our system will submit your offer as a preliminary bid to the Insurance Auction. You will be notified the following morning via the My Offers section if your offer was rejected.

If it is rejected, one of our associates will contact you via telephone to offer you the chance to submit a higher offer. Your offer will be accepted verbally. However you must email our office a revised offer for the item number for Elite Auto Auctions to submit once again. If one of our associates does not contact you, please call our office or email us via the contact us section of the site. We cannot submit offers after 12 PM (EST), so it is important we discuss your outbid offer before this allotted time.

Question 12

If I win an auction, what happens if I do not pay for the vehicle?

Accepted Answer

If you do not tender full payment after your offer has been finalized and your vehicle has been acquired, your 10% deposit will be forfeited and your account will be closed. There is also a $100 processing fee for this transaction. In other words, by winning a vehicle and then defaulting on payment, you will be charged $600 dollars or 10% of your bid, whichever is greater. If you are placing bids on vehicles with the stock number 'i' or 'm' in front of them we are accepting $1000 deposits or 20% whichever is greater. Please do not bid on 'i' or 'm' vehicles if you do not have funds readily available or are unsure. The insurance companies tend to be very strict with these particular vehicles and do not allow us to retract our offers. WE STRONGLY SUGGEST NOT TO FUND YOUR ACCOUNT, PLACE OFFERS, AND THEN DEFAULT ON PAYMENT OF A VEHICLE. Our company does not have the liberty to place offers with the insurance companies and then back out without incurring any penalties. We have 48 hours to pay for a vehicle.

Question 13

I sent in the wire for the full amount, but my invoice reflects a lesser amount. Why?

Accepted Answer

Some international customers are charged a wire transfer fee by an intermediary bank, in addition to the wire transfer fee charged by the originating bank. Please keep this fact in mind when wiring funds.

Question 14

How much does your service cost?

Accepted Answer

All vehicles that are successfully acquired from the Insurance Company are subject to a respective acquisition fee of $199 through $999. We also do make profits on bulk purchases. We risk buying vehicles that we may lose profits, in order to obtain certain vehicles at lesser prices. There will be an additional $85 paperwork fee for these bulk purchases as well. Please refer to our Fees & Refund Policy for more information.

Question 15

How do I pay for the car?

Accepted Answer

Balance Due: The customer must pay the balance due in full no later than 24 hours from sale confirmation notification (invoice). If the balance is not paid within 24 hours, a late fee of $50 per day will be added to your invoice. Once an offer is accepted by the Auto Auction or Insurance Auction Company, you will receive a call/invoice from one of our customer service representatives.

Payment Terms: Balances Due may be paid by Bank Wire Transfer, Cashier's Check or Money Order only. We do not accept Personal Checks and Western Union. If you reside outside the United States and/or cannot make payment on time, either arrange to prepay the full amount before submitting your offer, or be prepared to acquire daily late fees.

Fees: Please refer to our Fees & Refund Policy for more information.

Additional Fees & Services: If required (usually for inoperable vehicles), the customer will be charged a $25 forklift loading fee.

Question 16

How much is the security deposit?

Accepted Answer

Security Deposits are typically $600.00 or 10% of the offer price, whichever is greater. A Deposit is required for every highest eligible offer, and is due by 8:30 AM, same day on the Offer End Date. Deposits are accepted via Bank Wire Transfer (all values), and credit card (up to $2000.00, i.e. two thousand dollars). International customers, please make sure necessary funds are transferred to a specified affiliated dealer's account via Bank Wire Transfer prior to submitting an offer.

Please note the customer's account will be suspended for non-payment if the customer fails to send the deposit on time. Suspended customers may be reinstated only by sending a deposit via wire transfer or other approved method, which will be applicable to his/her next purchase. Please plan accordingly to submit your payment in advance.

*Please note if a customer submits an offer with Elite Auto Auctions and has an available credit, the available credit will be used toward the bid deposit.

Question 17

What is the $85 document fee?

Accepted Answer

All items on our site are subject to an $85 document fee, which covers the costs to our company for preparing and processing all necessary paperwork for that particular vehicle. The document fee is in addition to your offer amount.

Question 18

Do you accept loan checks for the cars from your 'Clean Vehicles' section?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our affiliated dealers can accept loan checks. Please make sure that you secure financing for the vehicle prior to purchase (obtain a 'blank check' or pre-approval prior to placing any offers).

Question 19

How do the security deposit refunds work?

Accepted Answer

Security Deposit is refundable ONLY when a vehicle is not acquired by one of our affiliate dealers (i.e. the item sells for more at Insurance Auction than your offer at Elite Auto Auctions, or the Insurance Auction does not approve/accept the offer). If the item has been acquired from the Insurance Company by one of our affiliated dealers and the buyer forfeits the sale, the Security Deposit is kept (forfeited by the customer). The method of deposit refund is at the affiliate dealer's discretion. Please note fees for incoming and outgoing wires will be deducted from the amount of deposit. If the refund is remitted by check, the amount of refund will be $15 less ($25 incoming wire fee) than the deposit. If the refund is remitted by wire to a US customer, the amount of refund will be $25 less ($15 incoming wire fee + $25 outgoing wire fee) than the deposit. All refunds remitted by wire to an international customer will be $35 less (incoming plus international outgoing fees) than the deposit. All credit card refunds will be issued a surcharge of 10%.

Question 20

I submitted payment in Euros. What currency will my refund be remitted?

Accepted Answer

All refunds are remitted in U.S. dollars only (with the exception of Canadian Customers)!

Question 21

When will I receive my refund?

Accepted Answer

Refund Processing Policy and Timeline

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the status of your refund.

Please note that credit cards are never charged at the time of registration or bidding. Credit card transactions are authorized only. Funds are captured solely when a vehicle purchase is successfully completed. If you are inquiring about a pending authorization, you must contact your credit card issuer directly, as the timing for releasing authorizations is determined by your bank or credit card company.

In situations where an auction, insurance company, vehicle owner, or seller elects to cancel a sale, any funds received are credited to the customer's account pending refund processing in accordance with our Fees and Refund Policies.

To ensure proper handling and accurate accounting of refunds, refund requests are not accepted by email. Due to the volume of transactions, changes in personnel, spam filtering, support center routing, and sales department communications, all refund requests must be submitted in writing via Certified Mail, Priority Mail, Overnight Mail, or other trackable delivery service. This procedure ensures that the appropriate department receives and processes the request and provides a documented record for both parties.

Written refund requests for vehicle purchases must be mailed to:

Elite Auto Auctions
1201 North Market Street, Suite 111
Wilmington, DE 19801

As outlined in our Fees and Refund Policies, refunds are processed within thirty (30) days from receipt of a properly submitted written refund request. Once approved and processed, refund payments are sent via Federal Express (FedEx) to the customer's address on file or to another address specifically authorized by the customer in writing.

Because we process thousands of transactions and serve members nationwide, this procedure helps ensure accuracy, accountability, and timely handling of all refund requests. The written request requirement creates a clear audit trail, helps prevent fraud, and ensures that the proper accounting and compliance departments receive and review each request.

Please note that email communications, text messages, online chat messages, social media messages, verbal requests, and communications with sales representatives do not constitute a valid refund request and do not initiate the refund processing period. The thirty (30) day processing period begins only upon actual receipt of a written refund request at the address listed above.

If you have not yet submitted your written refund request, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible so that the refund review and processing period may begin.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Question 22

I am a Canadian customer. Do I have to pay the HST tax?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all CANADIAN customers must pay the HST tax. If you are exporting the vehicles, you can submit proof to the tax department. Once the vehicle is exported, they will then issue you a refund.

Question 23

Why is Elite Auto Auctions requiring a $600 refundable deposit?

Accepted Answer

Registration is FREE at Elite Auto Auctions unlike other sites, and we have the largest selection on any other single platform in the world. We allow you to place offers without making a deposit. Once you are the high bidder, we then require a $600 minimum. Elite Auto Auctions and its IAU has implemented this to have our customers try to place multiple offers and bids, before losing hope of purchasing a vehicle. We want to DETER customers from leaving a $600 deposit, then requesting a refund the next day or even the same day. We work for YOU. It is not in our best interest not to purchase a vehicle for YOU. Keep in mind you might have to place offers on ten or fifteen different vehicles before we can get one for you.

Question 24

What happens to the funds in my account if my offer is not accepted?

Accepted Answer

Your funds remain in your account for any future offers you wish to submit. There is no penalty for submitting offers on Elite Auto Auctions. If at any time you wish to remove your funds from your Elite Auto Auctions account, you must request a refund via our website only. The request form is located in the About Us section of the website. Refunds can take up to 5-7 days to reflect back into your credit card online statement.

Question 25

Do you accept PayPal for final payment?

Accepted Answer

No. PayPal is NO LONGER ACCEPTED. Check with your representative for other options.

Question 26

There is no damage report listed. What are the damages on an Insurance Company item?

Accepted Answer

Insurance Companies do not provide a damage report and/or full description of their vehicles. However, very brief descriptions for Loss Type and Damage Type are normally offered under the Vehicle Description section of each listing. All information provided by the Insurance Companies to our authorized affiliate dealers is displayed on the site but we are not responsible for accuracy and all sales are "As-Is."

Question 27

How did the damage occur? How long has the vehicle been in its condition? Have any repairs been done?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we are unable to determine how damages occur, how long a vehicle has been sitting in its current condition, and if repairs have been done. The Insurance Company does not provide us or our affiliate dealers with damage reports and/or full descriptions and histories of their vehicles. However, very brief descriptions for Loss Type and Damage Type are normally offered under the Vehicle Description section of each listing. All information provided by the Insurance Company to our authorized affiliate dealers is displayed on the site. All vehicles are sold 'AS-IS'.

Question 28

Are loose parts displayed in the pictures included in the sale?

Accepted Answer

Because loose parts can be lost/misplaced/detached at Insurance Auctions and/or in transit, we do not guarantee loose parts' availability, even if they are visible in the photographs. We try our best to ensure that our transporters pickup every available piece that is supposed to come with the specified vehicle.

Question 29

Does the vehicle start?

Accepted Answer

Most vehicles displayed on our website are located on Insurance Company premises and are neither available for nor subject to inspection and testing. Therefore, the Insurance Company lets us know if the item runs or not, (if it does) we include this information in the listing but are not responsible for accuracy of the information.

Question 30

Why is the posted VIN number incomplete?

Accepted Answer

Insurance Auctions provide only the first 11 digits of the VIN for decoding purposes. The winner will receive the complete VIN once balance is paid on the vehicle.

Question 31

I received my vehicle and there is undercarriage and other latent damage not visible in the pictures. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

All vehicles displayed on our website are sold 'as-is', therefore there is no recourse. We understand undercarriage and other latent defects are not visible in the photographs. Customers must understand that salvage vehicles may have latent defects (e.g. undercarriage damage, under hood damage, etc.). Elite Auto Auctions and its affiliate dealers are NOT aware of latent defects of any vehicle. The Insurance Company does not provide us or our affiliate dealers with damage reports and/or full descriptions and histories of their vehicles. All information provided by the Insurance Company to our authorized affiliate dealers is displayed on the site.

Vehicles might also have been previously repaired. Elite Auto Auctions and its affiliate dealers 1) are NOT aware of repairs performed, and 2) cannot comment on or warrant the craftsmanship of repairs, if performed, on any vehicle. Please place your offers with care!

Question 32

Can you tell me how much it would cost to repair a vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Elite Auto Auctions does not repair vehicles and, for legal reasons, does not provide repair estimates. Prices for new parts can be obtained from a local authorized dealer (of your vehicle make). Prices for used parts can be obtained from a local salvage yard or an on-line auction site.

Question 33

What does 'Auction Verification' - Runs and Drives, or Engine Start - mean?

Accepted Answer

In some cases, Insurance Auction personnel are able to verify a vehicle's Engine Start capability and Run and Drive condition. Elite Auto Auctions does not perform these verifications. We also have no knowledge of how the Insurance Auction determines Engine Start capability (e.g. booster box, wires spliced/bypassed, etc.), or of how well the engine runs and/or car drives. Elite Auto Auctions can NOT be held responsible for the verification results, running/driving quality and associated problems. If Auction Verification is not published for a particular vehicle, this information is not available.

Question 34

When a vehicle is noted as 'Run and Drives', what exactly does this mean?

Accepted Answer

At the time the vehicle arrived at the Insurance Company facility, it was verified that the vehicle (i) started, (ii) could be put into gear, and (iii) was capable of moving forward under its own power. There is NO guarantee, representation, or warranty that the vehicle is in roadworthy condition or can be driven lawfully upon the highways of any state.

There is no guarantee, representation, or warranty that the vehicle will (i) start, (ii) drive, or (iii) move forward under its own power at the time the vehicle is picked up at the Insurance Company facility.

Question 35

My listing says "Loss Type: Other" next to a repossession note â€” what does that combination mean?

Accepted Answer

"Loss Type" describes why the vehicle ended up at auction, and "Other" is simply a catch-all bucket used when the reason doesn't fit a standard insurance category like collision or theft. Paired with a repossession note, it usually just confirms the car was surrendered after a loan default rather than damaged in an accident. It's a paperwork classification, not a condition rating â€” always check the separate condition report and photos for the vehicle's actual physical state.

Question 36

Is it actually possible to repair a salvage vehicle, and what does that process look like?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many salvage vehicles are repaired and returned to the road, though the path depends heavily on the damage type and your state's title laws. Typically you'll need to: source replacement parts, complete the repair, pass a state-mandated salvage or reconstructed-vehicle inspection (which verifies the VIN, checks for proper repair, and sometimes screens for stolen parts), and then apply for a rebuilt title through your state's DMV. Some states make this straightforward; others have strict caps on what can be rebuilt at all, so it's worth checking your local DMV rules before you bid.

Question 37

When a listing just says "mechanical damage," why isn't the specific problem named?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical damage is reported by the seller (often an insurer or fleet company) at intake, and in most cases no diagnostic work is performed beyond a visual or basic operational check â€” nobody has actually pulled the engine apart to find the root cause. The label flags that something mechanical is wrong without claiming to diagnose it. If you need more certainty, request any available engine-start video, review the run-and-drive status field, and budget for an independent pre-bid inspection if the vehicle is local to you.

Question 38

Once I win a repossessed vehicle, am I allowed to drive it off the lot?

Accepted Answer

It depends entirely on the vehicle's title status and condition, not on the fact that it was repossessed. A repo with a clean title that runs and drives can typically be driven away once payment, paperwork, and any required temporary registration are sorted. A repo with a salvage title cannot legally be driven on public roads until it's repaired and re-titled in your state â€” it has to be transported. Always check the title status field on the listing first.

Question 39

Why do some listings include an engine-start video and others don't?

Accepted Answer

Engine videos are recorded during intake at the storage facility, and capacity to film every single unit just isn't there given the volume moving through auction yards daily. Vehicles that are non-running, severely damaged, or flagged for certain loss types (like fire or flood) are also less likely to get one, since starting them may not be safe or possible. No video isn't necessarily a red flag â€” check the run-and-drive status and damage description for the fuller picture.

Question 40

A car is listed with "Seller: SIXT Titling Trust" â€” what does that tell me about its history?

Accepted Answer

This indicates the vehicle came from a rental fleet, since SIXT Titling Trust is the legal title-holding entity used by the SIXT rental car company in the U.S. Former rental vehicles are typically well-maintained on a fixed service schedule but also see higher mileage and more varied driver wear than a personally owned car. It's a fleet origin marker, similar to seeing Avis Budget Group or Hertz listed as the seller on other vehicles.

Question 41

Can you tell me how the damage happened, how long ago, and whether anyone has attempted repairs?

Accepted Answer

Auction listings generally don't carry a narrative history of the incident â€” you'll see a damage type code, condition photos, and odometer/title status, but not a story of "what happened and when." Repair history is similarly limited; if a vehicle shows a salvage or rebuilt title, that's your clearest signal that some repair or total-loss event occurred previously. For anything beyond what's listed, a vehicle history report (using the VIN) is the best way to dig further.

Question 42

How do I know whether a listed vehicle actually starts?

Accepted Answer

Check the "Auction Verification" or "Run Status" field on the listing â€” it will usually say something like "Starts," "Engine Start Program," "Runs and Drives," or "Stationary." These are intake-time assessments performed by the storage facility, not guarantees, and conditions can change between intake and pickup (a battery can die, for instance). If a status isn't listed at all, treat the vehicle as unverified and inspect in person if possible before bidding heavily.

Question 43

If I see loose parts sitting in the trunk or back seat in the photos, do those come with the car?

Accepted Answer

Generally, yes â€” if a part is photographed inside or with the vehicle at the time of listing, it's expected to stay with the vehicle through to pickup. That said, parts can shift or go missing between intake and the day you collect the car, especially at high-volume storage yards. It's worth documenting what's shown in photos and raising any discrepancy immediately at pickup rather than after you've left the lot.

Question 44

For a salvage title from theft combined with a biohazard flag, can I get more detail on what actually happened?

Accepted Answer

Auction platforms typically won't have â€” or won't disclose â€” specific incident narratives behind these flags, since the data comes from the original insurer's claim coding rather than a written report available to buyers. "Theft" as a loss type simply means the vehicle was reported stolen and later recovered, often with related damage from how it was treated while missing. A "Biohazard" flag means a contamination concern was identified (commonly bodily fluids) requiring remediation before resale, not necessarily that something occurred inside the specific vehicle you're viewing versus standard handling protocol for that loss category.

Question 45

Once I've won a salvage-title vehicle, can I legally drive it home from the lot?

Accepted Answer

No â€” in virtually every state, a vehicle with a salvage title cannot be legally driven or registered for road use until it has been repaired and passed the state's salvage/rebuilt inspection process. You'll need to arrange transport (a trailer, flatbed, or auto transport service) to move it from the auction or storage facility to wherever the repair will take place.

Question 46

If a vehicle has no damage report attached, how do I know what's actually wrong with it?

Accepted Answer

A missing damage report is more common with certain seller types (some insurance-direct or fleet listings skip a formal report) and doesn't necessarily mean there's no damage â€” it usually means you need to rely more heavily on the condition photos, the loss type field, and the run-and-drive status instead. If the gap concerns you, an in-person preview or independent third-party inspection before bidding is the safest way to fill in what the paperwork doesn't.

Question 47

What exactly does a "Biohazard" damage flag mean on a vehicle?

Accepted Answer

A biohazard designation means the vehicle was flagged for contamination requiring specialized cleaning or remediation before it can be safely resold â€” most commonly bodily fluids from a medical event or fatality, but it can also apply to other hazardous contamination. By the time these vehicles reach auction they typically have undergone, or are slated for, professional decontamination, but the title and listing will continue to carry the biohazard note as a permanent disclosure. Always factor in extra due diligence and, where local law requires, professional cleaning verification before resale.

Question 48

What does it mean when a listing shows "Not Specified" under vehicle authentication?

Accepted Answer

This means the storage facility hasn't recorded a verified run-status (such as "Runs and Drives" or "Engine Start") for that vehicle at the time of listing â€” it's an absence of data, not a confirmation that something is wrong. It often shows up on vehicles that arrived too damaged to test safely, or simply haven't been processed through verification yet. Treat it as unknown rather than negative, and lean on photos and any other available fields.

Question 49

What does "Auction Verification" mean specifically for "Runs and Drives" or "Engine Start" labels?

Accepted Answer

"Runs and Drives" means staff at the storage facility were able to start the vehicle and move it under its own power for a short distance. "Engine Start" is a step below that â€” the engine turns over and runs, but the vehicle wasn't tested for actual drivability (it may not shift, steer properly, or move safely). Both are point-in-time checks performed at intake, not a guarantee of condition on the day you pick the vehicle up.

Question 50

What does a "Stationary" verification status mean for a vehicle?

Accepted Answer

"Stationary" means the vehicle could not be started or moved during intake verification â€” it stayed in place. This could be due to a dead battery, mechanical failure, missing components, or damage severe enough to prevent operation. It's the most cautious of the verification statuses and typically signals you should plan for transport rather than expecting to drive the vehicle away.

Question 51

What's actually covered under the "mechanical damage" label, and where's the line drawn?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical damage broadly refers to a failure or breakdown in the vehicle's drivetrain, engine, transmission, electrical system, or other functional components â€” as opposed to body damage from a collision. It's used when a vehicle is inoperable or impaired due to internal failure rather than an accident, fire, flood, or theft. Because the category is broad, the specific failure (a blown engine versus a failed transmission, for example) usually isn't broken out separately in the listing data.

Question 52

Could mechanical damage be specifically engine-related, and how would I know?

Accepted Answer

Yes, engine failure is one of the most common causes behind a "mechanical damage" listing, alongside transmission and electrical issues. The listing typically won't isolate which subsystem failed, so look at any available engine-start video and the run-status field as the best available clues, and assume an engine-specific inspection may be necessary before you commit to a repair budget.

Question 53

Is there a way to see how extensive the prior repair work on a vehicle actually was?

Accepted Answer

Listing photos are your primary window into this, supplemented by a vehicle history report pulled with the VIN, which can sometimes show prior insurance claims, reported accidents, or title-status changes. Beyond that, auction platforms don't typically retain a contractor's repair log, so an in-person or third-party inspection is the most reliable way to assess repair quality on a specific unit before you bid.

Question 54

Roughly speaking, what should I expect a typical repair to cost on a damaged vehicle?

Accepted Answer

This varies too widely to estimate from a listing alone â€” it depends on the make and model, parts availability, labor rates in your area, and the true extent of damage once a mechanic actually looks at it. As a rule of thumb, experienced buyers get a quote from a trusted shop before bidding on anything with real damage, rather than estimating from photos, since hidden damage is common with salvage and damaged-title vehicles.

Question 55

What does "Water/Flood" damage actually mean, and is it a dealbreaker for repair?

Accepted Answer

It means the vehicle was submerged or otherwise exposed to significant water intrusion, which can affect the engine, electrical systems, upholstery, and corrosion-prone components depending on depth and duration. It isn't automatically unrepairable â€” light flood exposure is sometimes fixed economically â€” but electrical and corrosion issues can surface months later, which is why flood vehicles carry a higher risk profile and tend to need a thorough mechanical and electrical inspection before any repair investment.

Question 56

If a listing says "Engine Starts," does that automatically rule out driving it afterward?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily â€” "Engine Starts" only confirms the engine turns over and runs. It doesn't confirm or deny whether the vehicle can be driven; that's a separate field ("Runs and Drives") that may or may not appear depending on whether staff tested it further. If you only see an engine-start confirmation and no drive-tested status, treat drivability as unverified.

Question 57

Does the name on the driver's license have to match the account information?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the name displayed on the driver's license must match your account information! Otherwise, per DMV regulations, the title cannot be transferred to you.

NOTE: If the title will be in a company's name, please provide us a letter (on company letterhead) stating that the customer (i.e. purchaser of the vehicle) is the owner or an authorized employee of that company.

Question 58

Can I have the title mailed to an address/name different from the one on my account?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but any requests for changes to the address/name have to be done in advance by either phone or email. Otherwise the title WILL BE ISSUED IN THE NAME OF THE PERSON ON THE ACCOUNT and it will be mailed to the address on the account. Please make sure all information is accurate upon registration. Also, if you want us to mail the title to your shipping company, please request that in advance by calling our offices!

Question 59

When will I receive the title? How will it be mailed to me?

Accepted Answer

As a courtesy, Elite Auto Auctions processes titles for vehicles purchased by our affiliate dealers on behalf of our customers. We are unable to provide an estimated time frame for delivery of the title to the customer due to many factors, e.g. submission of title by auctions, volume of title processing, delivery of processed titles, etc. Please plan any transfer of title and/or shipping of vehicle with these potential delays in mind. Elite Auto Auctions utilizes USPS Certified/Registered Mail for title delivery. NOTE: Elite Auto Auctions reserves the right to choose the appropriate delivery service. All titles are processed in the order they are received.

Question 60

I received a different type of title than the one in the description (an equivalent title from a different state). Why?

Accepted Answer

Per the Purchase Order Agreement, Elite Auto Auctions does not guarantee title types. That being said, the customer may receive an equivalent title type to the one displayed in the online item description.

Differences between title Types and Designations are minor, for example 'Arizona Salvage Certificate' is displayed in the online description, but the customer receives 'Nevada Salvage Title'. Local/Regional laws and regulations sometimes require our affiliate dealers and/or insurance companies to transfer the title to the state in question. Differences in title Type/Designation bear no change in equivalence.

Question 61

What is a 'reconstructed title'?

Accepted Answer

When a vehicle is involved in an accident, and salvaged by an insurance company, it has to be reconstructed before being placed back on the road. After the vehicle is repaired, it's inspected by an authorized mechanic and certified by the DMV as reconstructed to manufacturer specifications. The DMV issues a 'reconstructed' title, which is treated the same way as a 'clean' title regarding registration and insurance purposes. Please note Elite Auto Auctions does not guarantee that all title denominations can be reconstructed in any particular state or country. Please refer any title questions to your local DMV.

Question 62

What is the Reconstruction process?

Accepted Answer

The reconstruction process is simple and straight forward, but varies somewhat from state to state. In overview, you will first have the vehicle repaired (i.e. 'reconstruction process') per your state's guidelines, have the vehicle inspected, and complete and submit the proper DMV forms. In return, the DMV will issue you a title. The last step is to register and insure the vehicle to be driven on the roads.

Question 63

Can a salvage SUV realistically be repaired and re-registered for road use?

Accepted Answer

In most states, yes. After completing repairs, the vehicle must pass a state salvage/rebuilt inspection that verifies the VIN matches the title, checks the quality of the repair, and confirms parts weren't sourced from a stolen vehicle. Once it passes, the DMV issues a "rebuilt" or "prior salvage" title, which allows registration â€” though a small number of states restrict or prohibit rebuilding salvage titles entirely, so check your specific state's DMV rules first.

Question 64

Which vehicles are guaranteed to avoid a salvage designation when I go to register them?

Accepted Answer

Any vehicle listed with a clean title was never declared a total loss and will register normally, just like a private-party used car purchase. Vehicles listed as "certificate of destruction" or similarly designated for parts-only, on the other hand, cannot be registered for road use under any circumstances â€” that status is permanent. Always check the title-type field on the listing itself; it's the single most reliable indicator.

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