Tuesday, July 28, 2026 1:59:30 AM

How Copart auctions work in New Hampshire?

Posted: 14 hours ago
Alright so I've been looking at Copart auctions but honestly I'm a bit confused about how it works here in New Hampshire. From what I've gathered, private buyers can't bid directly on cars – you need a licensed broker to do it for you. Boats and jet skis are fine without one, but anything with wheels needs that broker access.

Bidding itself seems straightforward, but the costs are what I'm trying to figure out. Winning bid is just the start – you've got buyer's premium, broker fees, $79 gate fee, and storage kicks in after 3 business days. NH has no sales tax which is huge, but there's a municipal permit fee based on the original MSRP that you pay to your town clerk, and that's what catches people out. Also you've got 20 days to sort the title transfer or you're looking at late fees.

Anyone here actually bought through Copart in NH and can share what the real costs ended up being? Trying to work out if it's worth the hassle. Cheers
Posted: 14 hours ago
Subscribed to this because I'm in the same boat mate. Been lurking on Copart for weeks but the broker thing puts me off a bit. How do you even find a decent one without getting rinsed on fees?
Posted: 14 hours ago
Bought a couple cars through Copart in NH over the years. The broker requirement is annoying at first but honestly once you find one you trust it's fine. Biggest advice – factor in that municipal permit fee before you bid. I got caught out on my first one thinking I was getting a steal, then the town bill landed and I was proper gutted. Still saved money overall but not as much as I thought.
Posted: 14 hours ago
I went through AutoBidMaster for my last purchase and honestly they made the broker side painless. Fees were transparent and way lower than some other places I looked at – none of that hidden nonsense. The no sales tax in NH is a massive win but yeah that MSRP-based permit fee is the real kicker. On an older car it's not bad, but if you're eyeing something newer, definitely run the numbers first. Gate fee, transport, storage if you're slow – it all adds up quick. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Just know what you're getting into.
Posted: 14 hours ago
Alright here's my cautionary tale. Bought a salvage Audi through Copart NH thinking I'd scored big. Got it home, fixed it up, spent a fortune on parts, then went through the salvage inspection process. Absolute nightmare. They check EVERYTHING – every receipt, every repair, VIN verification, the lot. If you're not meticulous with paperwork, you'll be going back and forth for weeks. And the rebuilt title thing – only NH residents can get one from the state, so if you're from out of state like I was, you gotta handle it in your own state which is a whole different headache. Long story short, I broke even at best. Would I do it again? For a clean title car, yeah. For salvage? Only if it's something really special and I've got the time and patience.
Posted: 14 hours ago
Been buying from Copart NH for about 5 years now. Quick tips – always budget 20-25% over your winning bid for fees, arrange transport before you bid so you're not paying storage, and get the title sorted within that 20-day window. The municipal permit fee is annoying but it's just part of the deal. Do your homework on the car, don't get caught up in bidding wars, and you'll be fine.