Useful guides on car import
We explain how to buy a car at Copart auction, clear customs in Moldova or Transnistria, and deliver it turnkey.
Where to start
Checks before bidding
Directions and reference pages
Copart, IAA, and Manheim: how the platforms differ
Seller types, access and participation, documents, auction remarks, and fees at the three largest US platforms — and why you shouldn't choose based on the lowest bid alone.
How to assess vehicle damage from auction photos
The limits of remote assessment: hidden damage, body geometry, airbags, suspension, cooling system, signs of flooding and fire, and missing parts.
How to read a Copart lot listing
The main listing fields: seller, title, damage, keys, odometer, Run & Drive, and remarks — what they mean and why Run & Drive does not confirm mechanical soundness.
How to estimate future repair costs before bidding
What the repair estimate consists of: parts prices, labor, electronics calibration, hidden defects, and why the estimate should be a range, not an exact figure.
A car after flooding: the main risks
Why a flooded car is one of the riskiest categories: hidden corrosion, electronics, the high-voltage battery, and the limits of remote assessment.
A car after a fire: why remote assessment is limited
Heat damage affects wiring, control units, and materials beyond the visibly scorched area — why such lots require special caution.
A relisted lot: how to find older photos
Why a car may be sold again at auction, what that can mean, and how to use earlier photos to check its condition.
How to compare two lots of the same model
A single comparison framework: documents, damage, mileage, logistics, and total cost — so you don't choose based on the bid price alone.
A glossary of US auction terms
Short definitions of the main Copart, IAA, and Manheim terms — title, salvage, Run & Drive, primary damage, and others — on a single page.
A client checklist before the first bid
A summary checklist for first-time auction participants: requirements, budget, documents, lot verification, and agreeing on deal terms.
How these materials are prepared
Articles rely on the publicly available rules of the platforms (Copart, IAA, Manheim), history services (CARFAX, AutoCheck), and official sources on customs clearance in the Republic of Moldova and Transnistria. Currency dates are noted in texts covering tax and customs questions — materials are updated when the rules change.