Short answer
Below are short definitions of the terms that appear most often in lot listings on Copart, IAA, and Manheim. The exact meaning and rules of application for each term depend on the state and the platform — this glossary helps you navigate the terminology but does not replace checking the original documents for a specific lot.
Documents and statuses
Title — the ownership document for a vehicle, issued by the state.
Clean title — a title with no salvage brand or mark of serious damage.
Salvage title — a status assigned to a vehicle deemed severely damaged or economically unfeasible to repair.
Rebuilt / Reconstructed title — the status of a vehicle that has gone through the rebuild process after a salvage status.
Certificate of destruction / Non-repairable / Parts only — statuses that generally exclude standard registration for road use.
Damage
Primary damage — the main declared damage area in the lot listing.
Secondary damage — an additional damage note that is not always filled in completely.
Water/Flood damage — damage caused by flooding.
Hail damage — damage caused by hail, usually affecting body panels and glass.
Burn/Fire damage — damage caused by fire.
Condition and verification
Run & Drive — a note indicating the vehicle started and moved under its own power on the yard at the time of inspection; it does not guarantee mechanical soundness.
Engine Start Program — a note confirming only that the engine started, without confirming the vehicle's ability to move.
Odometer: Actual / Not Actual / Exempt — the accuracy status of the mileage reading under the relevant state's rules.
Sellers and sale format
Seller — the type of organization or party listing the lot (insurance company, dealer, finance company, and others).
Pure sale — a sale at the final bid price, with no reserve set.
On minimum bid — a sale with a seller-set minimum price; if it is not reached, the lot does not sell.
Buy It Now — the option to buy the lot at a fixed price without bidding.
History reports
CARFAX — a commercial VIN-based vehicle history report built on North American data.
AutoCheck — a history report from Experian based on similar sources but with a different data set.
Frequently asked questions
Are the terms the same on Copart, IAA, and Manheim?
The meaning is similar, but the exact wording and rules of application can differ by platform and by state.
Does this glossary replace reading the original documents?
No, before making a decision you should verify the original status wording in the specific vehicle's document.
Next step
Use this glossary together with the practical methodology in the article "How to Choose a Lot on Copart" and "How to Read a Copart Lot Listing".
