Copart launches new vehicle grading system
Online vehicle remarketing business Copart UK has launched its own grading system to give buyers a clear and definable indication of a vehicle’s condition.
The move is designed to boost transparency of vehicle condition and to help Copart – whose customers include motor traders, fleets, rental car firms, finance companies and the insurance industry – to provide even more comprehensive vehicle information for its buyers.
The new process involves a rigorous 50-point inspection by Copart’s AQP qualified engineers. They then apply a grade that reflects the condition of the external bodywork of the vehicle, ranging from Grade 1 for minor wear-and-tear repairs, to Grade 5 requiring more substantial structural repairs.
Copart automotive sales director Michael Stewart said the company has introduced the new grading to add value to the wide range of vehicles sold via its online auctions.
“This simple and transparent grading gives our buyers a clear, definable indication of the condition of the vehicle, so that they can buy with trust and confidence and we can achieve higher sales returns for our sellers,” Stewart said.
“It also enables us to show the condition of these vehicles in line with the wider used vehicle industry.”
The new grading will only be applied to vehicles that are classified as “run and drive” – that is where Copart has verified that the vehicle started, could be put into gear and was capable of moving forward under its own power – as well as having no previous damage category.
Copart’s grading system is based on the same principals and rating structure as the other leading industry standards for physical motor auctions but is tailored to fit its 100% online auctions.
Copart strategy and automotive division director Mark Godfrey said: “The introduction of vehicle grading is part of our overall strategy to continually improve the information we provide on vehicles. This is just one of a comprehensive suite of changes that we are implementing to give our buyers complete transparency and provenance on the purchases they make in our online auctions.”
