Types of car damage at auctions and what they actually mean

Knowledge is power, but only when it is used correctly. We want our customers and readers to understand all the intricacies of buying a car from the USA. Let's take a closer look at all types of damage at auctions. Your task is to learn the meaning of those terms and understand what to expect from buying a car with a particular description. Well, dear cryptographers, let’s break down the auction “codes”!

Decoding damage at auctions

The leader in the number of damaged cars, of course, belongs to the Copart site. On it you will find thousands of offers for vehicles with varying degrees of damage. If you’re interested, find out more about why there are so many junk cars at auction and who’s selling them.

The IAAI (Insurance) platform, in addition to damaged and used ones, also offers restored and repaired. And at Manheim you can find intact and almost new cars (possibly with scratches or defects). Anyway, before purchasing the car, study the description and photo reports carefully. Learn more about CARFAX report so you don’t get in trouble with a car from the USA.

All over

Applies to vehicles that have damages along the entire perimeter of the body. In auction sheets, this designation is used when three or more defects are found, for example:

• Side;
• Front;
• Rear End;
• Roof.

Worth to take it or not? The answer depends on the extent of each damage and how much it will cost you to repair it. Sometimes it is enough to pull out dents using vacuum straightening, while preserving the original paint. In other cases, you will need to completely replace the fender, door, roof or bumper.

⚠️ Cars with body damaged on all sides require expensive and sometimes lengthy repair work. However, each case is individual, so always rely on the actual technical condition of the car.

Side (Side Part)

Defects are located on one or both sides of the car. They come in varying degrees of difficulty. The following damages are considered costly and time-consuming:

• with broken glass;
• heavily dented metal;
• two or more sections hit.

⚠️ Cars in which two side doors were hit simultaneously. are often put up at auctions. Replacing these parts will cost several thousand dollars.

Is it worth the effort? Well, It is better to refrain from buying such a car although our experts can still find you an optimal offer from this category.

Top/Roof

In this case, the roof or top of the car is completely or partially damaged. This happens due to:

• a heavy object falling on the car;
• “hooking” of a vehicle with a truck, special equipment or building structure;
• road accident.

Should we consider it or keep scrolling? Again, it depends on the severity of the damages. If the body geometry is preserved or can be restored, then contact a mechanic to find out the cost of the service.

A top with a completely broken windshield and a crushed roof will clearly not be a profitable investment, because you will have to do way too many repairs.

Front End

These lots typically have front end damage due to a head-on collision with another vehicle, building, or guardrail. According to statistics, one third of all road accidents result in these type of damage. Naturally, cars with damaged front ends are the most common lots at auctions.

Is it worth buying? As always, consider the degree of damages received. Of course, cars with the following minor damages should be your priority:

• headlights;
• shock absorber support cups;
• bumper;
• spar.

In the event of serious road accidents, the front part with the engine suffers greatly. As a result, under the dented hood you will find a completely “killed” engine. It’s clearly not worth spending money on such a risky option, because repairs will cost you the cost of the car itself.

💡 Entrust the purchase of a lot with the front end designation to specialists, because many experienced have dealt with such drivers.

Rear End

Rear collisions happen just as often as frontal ones, so there are also plenty of these lots at auction. The nature of the damage received in this way depends on the characteristics of the accident. This usually happens due to:

• improper parking;
• violation of distance;
• sudden braking.

Should you take it or pass? Such lots are very profitable to bring to Europe. They do not require expensive repairs.

Normal Wear

Vehicles with this designation are characterized by damage caused by natural wear during operation. Note that such lots always come with high mileage, having minor damage to the body or interior:

• traces of rust;
• faded areas of paint;
• microdamages caused by stone impacts;
• dim optics;
• worn panels, interior upholstery, steering wheel, gear lever, etc.

This is exactly what cars from Copart’s normal wear category look like, but only CARFAX or AutoCheck results will show what this really means. Sometimes cars with poor-quality repairs done in a hurry after terrible accidents are put up under this classification. To that end, check out our auction overview to get an idea of what types vehicles can be found on various auction platforms.

⚠️ Get the essence of auctions. They often sell cars after an insured event. Therefore, minor scratches or defects are not a significant reason for being included in the auction. Often more serious damages hide behind normal wear lots.

To take or not to take? It’s up to you to decide, but only after a detailed check or expert opinion.

Vandalism

You will find lots from this group very interesting, since the damage resulting from an act of vandalism may not be so critical. Hooligans usually:

• cut car seats;
• spray paint the car’s body;
• break glass or optics of cars;
• make dents on the doors with bats or stones.

Such damage is mainly superficial, because vandals cannot damage the load-bearing elements of the vehicle. Cosmetic repairs of the body will require minimum money or time.

What’s the verdict? Lots marked Vandalism are worth buying at American auctions. Our experts will find you the best option for both personal use and resale.

Water/Flood

There are two types of such damage. With the first one, cars were simply flooded with water. For example, the driver left a window or hatch open, and it rained heavily at night. That’s it, the interior is damaged, the owner in a panic calls the insurance company and asks for compensation for the damage. Although the electrical and mechanical parts may be fine.

The second type of water/flood damage is for cars that were completely or partially under water for a long time. In such cases, damage is observed in:

• electronics;
• wiring;
• transmissions;
• internal combustion engine;
• other working nodes.

You can start such car, but in 9 cases out of 10 you will not be able to restore the car to proper working condition. Even if you can drive the car, at the most inopportune moment the system can malfunction, which will lead to an accident.

✅ The auction sheet also indicates what environment the car was in: fresh or salty. The worst thing is water with salts, because it corrodes metal terribly. In addition, the car itself is marked WF, which indicates the flood level/line.

Should you buy or ignore such lots? Of course, drowned cars are a very risky option, so it’s best to avoid them. However, there are some lots that can be quickly and inexpensively restored.

Hail

The nature and extent of damage may vary. Some auction lots look like they were stoned.

Should you consider such car or not? Only specialists can answer this question They can assess the technical condition of a car from the USA, as well as the cost of repairs.

Burn

The car’s interior or engine compartment was seriously damaged by fire. Sellers indicate what exactly burned: the engine, seat trim/dashboard (interior), or the entire car. Fires can occur due to:

• serious accident;
• short circuit;
• arson.

To buy or not to buy? Even the most talented car mechanic will not be able to restore such a vehicle to its original appearance and qualities. Nevertheless, there are still some good offers on trading platforms, even in the Burn section.

Biohazard/Chemical

Under this category you will find vehicles with a strong unpleasant odor inside the car. It may be caused by:

• death of a person or pet (cadaveric poison);
• spilled fuel (gasoline, diesel);
• building materials (paints, solvents);
• mold in the cabin.

Can you restore such car? This is definitely a big no. No matter what actions you take, you will not be able to completely get rid of the smell; these are the laws of physics. In addition, it can be very dangerous for your health.

Mechanical

Damage of this kind is associated with wear or breakdown of the main components of the car: engine, turbine or transmission. In most cases, mechanics suffer due to:

• careless operation of the car;
• untimely maintenance;
• strong impact in an accident;
• natural wear and tear.

Is such car an option? It is impossible to answer accurately, because much depends on the severity of the damage. With the help of CARFAX reports and detailed photos, you can learn everything about the technical condition and history of the car.

Minor dents/Scratches

The mileage of such vehicles is relatively low. However, there may be plenty of dents and scratches on the body. Mostly they appear because the owner drives or parks carelessly. Extreme driving gives the car a “shabby” appearance.

Is it worth your money or not? Perhaps 50/50. It could be just that the previous owner was a careless and reckless driver. However, sometimes real junk is hidden under this tag at auctions. Therefore, only checking the car’s history through reliable resources will reveal the real condition.

Partial/Incomplete Repair

Insurance companies take too long to restore badly damaged cars after accidents, but never complete their repairs. As a result, for financial reasons, they put the car up for auction, and the reseller:

• purchases a lot from an insurer at a low price;
• gives it a respectable appearance (often the repair is superficial);
• re-sells on the marketplace.

To buy or not to buy? If you understand what partial repair on Copart looks like – you’ll recognise that this is not an option. Such cars are always in terrible technical condition, so never consider them for a purchase.

Rejected Repair

Lots with this mark will definitely interest you, since they have an unusual path to the car auction. For example, the owner of a car gets into an accident. The insurance company assesses the extent of the damage and offers to make repairs. The client is not satisfied with the end result, and abandons his car altogether. To compensate for the damage, the agency sends the car to the auction.

⚠️ Attention! Lots with rejected repairs are sometimes sold by dealers.

Should you bargain for such car? Yes, this is often a good option. But first of all, be sure to find out the history of the vehicle through the registry and conduct a thorough inspection of its condition.

Rollover

Cars with this designation have been in serious accidents. During the accident, the car rolled over, possibly several times. Auto mechanics unanimously say that such cars are very difficult to restore, because the geometry of the body is completely damaged.

If you still decide to repair such a car from the USA, then you need a jack of all trades to do it and decent capital. The conclusion is obvious. If you don’t want to deal with extra problems – find a more profitable lot. We are here to help you with that.

Stripped

Such vehicles always look terrible in photos because they resemble scrap metal. Cars with Stripped damage may be missing important parts of the body or interior:

• doors;
• glass;
• roof;
• seats;
• instrument panel.

Is it worth the money? It all depends on the purpose of the acquisition and financial capabilities. For a car repair shop, such cars would be a good option. But an ordinary driver will have to spend a lot of money on the “stuffing” and “packaging” the car. Therefore, consult with experts first.

Undercarriage (Problems with Chassis, Suspension, or Bottom)

The most confusing designation for our users is undercarriage damage on Copart. Such lots require the most scrupulous inspection, since heir bottom/suspension elements are partially or completely broken, such as:

• chassis frame (can be torn out);
• transmission;
• engine.

Should you consider or cancel? It is impossible to assess the extent of these damages even with all known methods and resources. Take our advise – don’t even bother to figure out such lots. This might work only if you have friends in the States who are ready to check the technical condition of the car for you. then go for it.

Having a good understanding of the types of damage, including what kind of undercarriage it is, you will understand which lots need a more thorough check.

Recovered Thefts

The section refers to the type of vandalism. Such cars were stolen, but then found by the police. Since the owner of the car has already received compensation from the insurance company, the vehicle is put up for auction. There will be no problems with documentation and export of the vehicle, because after being recovered from theft, the vehicle is still considered the property of the insurance company.

Buy or refuse? If the technical condition of the car is good, then, of course, it is worth bargaining for this lot. This can be a great chance to purchase a car from the USA that has not been in an accident for an affordable price.

Missing/Altered VIN

Cars in this section are a very risky option, because they have a chipped/missing VIN code. This means you will not know the history of the car or the previous owners. The reason for deleting the VIN code is the criminal history of the car, although the technical condition may be one of the best on the market.

To take or not to take? One hundred percent, no. You will not be able to clear customs or register a car without an identification number.

VIN Code Replaced

Vehicles with this item on the auction list are at risk due to their “dark” past. They belong to problematic lots, because, unfortunately, you will not be able to check the history of such a car.

To buy or not to buy? In most cases, such cars are assembled from several vehicles, so experts do not recommend ordering such lots. Learn how to check a car from the USA by VIN code in order not to waste your money.

Donation

On trading platforms, such offers are of particular interest. They go under the hammer with a minimal damage and are 40% cheaper than the market value. They often end up at auctions through generous donations from churches or communities.

Option or catch? Of course, it is worth to bargain for the lot. However, buckle up, the bidding will be fast and hot, because not only Europeneans, but also Americans are hunting for such cars.

Collision (After an Accident)

This category contains vehicles that were damaged in an accident. They may have different types of defects. An expert assessment will help you determine whether such items are worth bidding on.

Before buying a car, read our tips on how to choose a car at auction. W8 Shipping is an American company that has been delivering cars from the USA and selecting lots for 18 years. Our experts understand all the intricacies of US car damage, they still conduct a professional assessment of each vehicle and thereby minimize possible risks. Therefore, trust us with the most difficult part of the job – choosing a car to import from the States.