“Run & Drive” is one of the most common labels at Copart and IAAI auctions. Many buyers read it as “the car is in working order”. In practice it says much less - and it's worth knowing exactly what.
What “Run & Drive” means
The label says that on the day the car was taken into the auction yard it started, could be put in gear and moved under its own power. A yard employee checks this briefly, on the spot, without a test drive and without diagnostics.
That's all. The label says nothing about how the car drives, whether the brakes work properly or whether warning lights are on on the dashboard.
What “Run & Drive” doesn't guarantee
- Technical condition - the engine may run unevenly and the gearbox may jerk.
- Condition on the day of the auction - weeks often pass between the car's intake and the auction. In that time the battery may go flat or another fault may appear.
- Safe driving - a car after an accident may move but have damaged suspension or steering.
Auction houses sell cars “as is”, so the label gives no warranty and no right to complain.
Other labels you'll come across
- Engine Start / Starts - the engine started, but the car didn't move or this wasn't checked.
- No label - the car couldn't be started or nobody checked. This doesn't have to mean a serious fault, but the risk is higher.
Treat “Run & Drive” as an extra plus, not a reason to buy. The history report, the photos and the damage description tell you more about the car - and, if in doubt, an on-site inspection.
How we check it
Before we bid on a car, we check the Carfax or AutoCheck report, look at all the auction photos and read the damage description. If the car is nearby and its value justifies it, at your request we order an inspection by an independent assessor. We write about how we read reports in the post How to read a Carfax and AutoCheck report.
You'll find current auction cars in our car auctions from the USA catalogue, and answers to other questions in the FAQ.
