Service: Auction transport for Copart and IAA locations across Texas.
Specialty: Recovery of Inop (Non-running) and salvage vehicles using hotshot trailers with winches.
Speed: Same-day or next-day pickup to avoid daily storage fees.
Requirements: We need your Lot #, Buyer Number, and Gate Release form.
Finding reliable Auction Car Transport Texas services is the first step after you win a bid. So, you just won a vehicle at
Copart or IAA (Insurance Auto Auctions)
Congratulations! Whether it’s a salvage title project car, a theft recovery, or a hail-damaged gem, you got a great deal—but now you need to move it.
Most auction yards in Texas (like the ones in Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi) have strict rules. They won’t let you drive the car off the lot, and they definitely won’t help you load it. Plus, you’re on the clock—storage fees start piling up fast if you don’t move the vehicle within a few days.
Here is everything you need to know about transporting auction vehicles in Texas, and how La Chingona Trucking makes it easy.
1. The “Inop” Factor: Does it Run and Drive?
This is the biggest question.
Run & Drive: The car starts and moves under its own power.
Inop (Non-Runner): The car does not start, or it has mechanical damage that prevents it from moving.
Most standard tow trucks or big 9-car carriers hate “Inop” cars. They often refuse to pick them up because they don’t want to deal with the hassle of winching a dead vehicle.
We are different. At La Chingona Trucking, we specialize in Inop recovery. Our hotshot trailers are equipped with heavy-duty winches. If it has wheels, we can load it—even if it’s missing a key or the battery is dead.
Dealing with salvage paperwork can be tricky. Make sure you understand the
Texas DMV rules for salvage titles
before you transport the vehicle to its final destination.
2. You Need a Transporter with Access
You cannot just send your buddy with a pickup truck to get the car. Copart and IAA yards require the transporter to have:
Vendor Access / Bidder Number: We verify the release info before we arrive.
Safety Vests & Proper Equipment: Yards are strict about safety.
Insurance: They won’t release a car to an uninsured carrier.
We haul out of these yards every week. We know the gate clerks, we know the drill, and we have the proper insurance on file to get in and out quickly.
3. Beat the Storage Fees
Auction Car Transport Texas moves fast, and storage fees pile up even faster. If you don’t pick up your vehicle within the free window (usually 3-5 days after the auction), the yard charges you daily.
Because we are a local, Texas-based Hotshot Hauler (not a broker sitting in an office in Chicago), we can usually schedule your pickup within 24-48 hours. Don’t wait weeks for a big carrier to fill their truck while your storage bill explodes.
How to Schedule an Auction Pickup (Step-by-Step)
Pay the Auction House: Ensure the vehicle is paid for and marked “Ready for Transport.”
Email the Gate Pass: Most yards require a printed or digital gate pass. Check the official Copart pickup guidelines to see if your specific lot requires an appointment scheduling app like “Transporter App.”
Send the VIN & Lot Number: Text or email us the Lot Number and the last 6 digits of the VIN.
Confirm Condition: Tell us if the vehicle has keys and if the tires roll (so we bring the right dollies).
Sit Back: We load the vehicle, secure it, and deliver it to your driveway or shop.
Need an Auction Quote?
Whether you bought a truck in Austin, a sedan in San Antonio, or a parts car in Marble Falls, we can get it home or to your body shop.
Click Here to Get an Instant Quote
Frequently Asked Questions about Auction Transport
Can you pick up a car that doesn’t start (Inop)? Yes. La Chingona Trucking specializes in Inop recovery. Our trailers are equipped with 12,000lb winches to safely load vehicles that do not run, have dead batteries, or are missing keys.
Do I need to be at the auction for pickup? No. As long as you have paid for the vehicle and sent us the Gate Release/Gate Pass, we handle the entire interaction with the auction clerks. You do not need to be present.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Copart? Pricing depends on distance and vehicle condition (running vs. non-running). Local moves in Central Texas typically start around $150-$200. Use our Instant Quote Calculator for an exact price.
Do you have the insurance Copart requires? Yes. We carry full cargo and liability insurance and are a registered vendor with major auction yards including Copart and IAA.