Plain-English guides

A VIN is a 17-character vehicle identification number. Learn the WMI, VDS and VIS sections, the check digit, model-year codes, and decode any VIN free.

Technical VIN decoder reference: position weights, check-digit math worked step by step, model-year codes, and the WMI lookup table for major manufacturers.

A salvage title means an insurer totalled the car. How the ACV threshold works, how it differs from a rebuilt or junk title, and what it means for buyers.

Salvage title states reference: salvage threshold (% of ACV), rebuilt-title path, and flood brand for all 50 US states plus DC. Title washing red flags.

Flood damage is the riskiest damage type at salvage auction. How to spot a flood car, what the flood title brand means, and how to VIN-check before bidding.

A theft-recovery car is a recovered stolen vehicle sold at salvage auction. Spot stripped lots and VIN tampering, and run a VIN check before bidding.

Front-end, hail, flood, theft, all-over — the complete catalogue of primary damage codes used by Copart and IAAI, with filter links to live inventory.

How Copart auctions work, who can bid, lot listings, fees, and the buyer workflow. Practical primer on Copart salvage auctions for first-time buyers.

How IAAI (Insurance Auto Auctions) auctions work, who can bid, lot listings, fees, and the buyer workflow. Practical primer on IAAI salvage auctions.

Copart vs IAAI head-to-head: inventory mix, buyer fees, public-buyer access, and lot listings. Pick where to bid on the next salvage auction lot.

How to buy a salvage car without getting burned: inspection, financing, insurance, title transfer, transport, and a worked total-cost example for every bid.