If you’ve ever browsed vehicles at a Copart salvage auction, you’ve likely noticed a series of codes and markings written on the windscreens. These codes might seem cryptic at first glance, but they contain crucial information about the identity of the seller. Understanding these codes mean can help you make better decisions when bidding.
Here’s our guide to Copart windscreen codes and how to interpret them.
The long number at the top of the screen is the lot number. It has an additional letter at this end, which signifies the identity of the seller. It’s there to provide instructions to the yard staff about how to catalogue and present the vehicle.
C – Trade / Private Entry
Private entries from dealers, traders and other sellers, these include vehicles that have been re-auctioned several times due to serious mechanical problems.
Q – Copart Trade
Copart have purchased these vehicles and prioritise them for special treatment to maximise their sale value. Q is a signal for the yard staff to take extra images.
X, E and F – Normal Insurance
P & N – Insurance, Extra Images
The insurance related letters denote different instructions in relation to the items to be checked and images taken when cataloguing the vehicles – for example E stands for Enhanced which means the seller has instructed Copart to wash and vacuum the vehicle before it is photographed.
Conclusion
Windscreen codes are useful, but they only provide some extra information about the vehicle. Always check the detailed listing, inspect the car (in person if possible), and perform your own detailed vehicle history checks.