You live in Illinois, you want a car at auction prices, and you do not have a dealer license. Most auction lists send you to places you cannot bid at. Here is which Illinois auctions the public can actually use, where a broker comes in, and what Illinois wants from you after you win.
The short answer: Fewer than most lists suggest. Copart and IAA yards in Illinois require a licensed broker for private buyers, and the big wholesale lanes are built for dealers. The public can bid on government vehicles through iBid, the State of Illinois online auction, and on public online marketplaces like Remarket Space. Illinois tax is due within 30 days of purchase.
Updated October 19, 2026. Checked against the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Illinois Compiled Statutes, the State of Illinois iBid auction, the City of Chicago, and Copart and IAA buyer rules. Sources are linked at the bottom.
Key takeaways
- Copart in Illinois: private buyers need a broker for titled cars and salvage cars.
- IAA in Illinois: Illinois is not on IAA’s public buyer list, so plan on a broker.
- Government cars: iBid, the state’s online auction, is open to the public and lists cars and trucks from state agencies and some local governments.
- Metro East buyers: the Copart yard across the river in Missouri lets the public bid on clean-titled cars. You still pay Illinois tax.
- Tax: a private party purchase under $15,000 is taxed by vehicle age on Form RUT-50, from $100 to $465 in 2026.
- Title: an Illinois certificate of title costs $165 under state law.
- No license needed: Remarket Space is open to the public, shows the out-the-door price, and delivers to Illinois.
Which car auctions in Illinois are open to the public?
It depends on who is selling. Here is how each type of Illinois auction treats a buyer with no dealer license.
| Auction type | Can the public bid? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Copart yards in Illinois | Through a broker | Copart lists Illinois as broker-only for private individuals, for titled and salvage cars |
| IAA branches in Illinois | Through a broker | Illinois is not on IAA’s public buyer state list |
| Wholesale dealer auctions (Manheim, ADESA and similar) | Usually no | Built for licensed dealers. Call before you drive out. |
| State and local government surplus (iBid) | Yes | Register online. Cars sell as-is, where-is. |
| City tow and impound lots | Varies by city | Chicago says unclaimed tows may be disposed of or sold at auction |
| Online marketplaces open to the public | Yes | Remarket Space needs a free account and ID, not a license |
If you want the full national picture, our guide to auto auctions open to the public near you explains how public, dealer and salvage auctions differ.
Can you buy at Copart or IAA in Illinois without a dealer license?
Not directly. Copart says the state where the car sits decides who can buy it. Its State Licensing Overview lists Illinois as BROKER for private individuals on titled cars, salvage cars, and boats. Licensed dealers can buy titled cars, and Illinois salvage cars are limited to dismantlers.
IAA works the same way in practice. It offers a free Public Buyer account, but only in states on its Public Buyer State by State Eligibility list. Illinois is not on that list, so its Illinois branches, including IAA St. Louis in Caseyville, mean using a broker.
A broker bids under their license for a fee. Get the full fee in writing before you bid, because it sits on top of the auction’s own fees. Our Copart fee calculator and IAA fee calculator show those auction fees for any bid, and our look at whether Copart and IAAI auctions are a scam covers the common surprises.
Where are government auto auctions in Illinois?
The main one is iBid, the State of Illinois online auction run by the Department of Central Management Services. The public can register and bid from any computer. It sells state surplus, and its About page lists local sellers too, including the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, the Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Boone County, and the City of Geneva.
Here is what the iBid terms and conditions and fee page say:
- Buyer fee: 2% of the winning bid.
- Condition: everything sells as-is and where-is, with no warranty.
- Bidding: the close extends in 3-minute steps until there is one clear high bidder.
- Title: issued once the car is paid in full. Open titles are not issued.
- Viewing: the state surplus warehouse is virtual viewing only.
- Pickup: at the location in each listing. Bring ID, and it will be recorded. iBid does not ship.
- Penalties: a first non-payment gets a 90-day suspension.
Expect retired fleet cars, police cruisers and work trucks with high miles. For what to look for on these, see our guide to government and police auctions.
Does Chicago auction towed and impounded cars?
Sometimes. The City of Chicago’s towing questions page says towed cars are normally stored for no more than 21 days after the city mails a notice to the owner, and an unclaimed car may be disposed of or sold at auction. The city does not post a public auction calendar on that page. Other Illinois cities handle tows their own way, so call the police department or city hall where you live. Our guide to police impound car auctions in St. Louis shows how these sales usually work.
Car auctions near St. Louis on the Illinois side
If you live in the Metro East or Southern Illinois, the river matters more than the miles. Copart’s Southern Illinois yard and IAA’s St. Louis branch both sit in Illinois, so a private buyer needs a broker at either one.
Cross the river and the rules change. Copart lists Missouri titled cars as open to private individuals, so a Metro East buyer can often bid directly on a clean-titled car at the Copart St. Louis yard. Missouri salvage cars still need a broker. We break this down in Copart and IAA St. Louis: can the public bid, and our hub on car auctions in St. Louis covers every other option in the metro.
One catch: if you live in Illinois, you title the car in Illinois and pay Illinois tax, even when you buy in Missouri. For auctions farther into Missouri, see our list of car auctions in Missouri.
Car auctions in the Chicago area
The same rules apply up north. Copart and IAA yards around Chicago are broker-only for private buyers, and the large wholesale lanes are dealer auctions. For a member of the public, the realistic options are a broker, iBid listings from Chicago-area agencies, a city tow sale where one exists, or an online marketplace that delivers to you.
What do you owe Illinois after you win?
Tax and a title. The Illinois Department of Revenue uses a different form depending on who sold you the car:
| You bought from | Tax form | Due |
|---|---|---|
| An Illinois dealer | ST-556, filed by the dealer | 20 days after delivery |
| A private party | RUT-50, flat amount by age or price | 30 days after you buy it |
| An out-of-state dealer or retailer | RUT-25, rate set by your address | 30 days after it enters Illinois |
The RUT-50 private party tax is a flat amount, not a percentage. The 2026 RUT-5 tax chart sets it by model year when the price is under $15,000:
| Model year | Tax due |
|---|---|
| 2025 or newer | $465 |
| 2024 | $365 |
| 2023 | $290 |
| 2022 | $240 |
| 2021 | $190 |
| 2020 | $165 |
| 2019 | $155 |
| 2018 | $140 |
| 2017 | $125 |
| 2016 | $115 |
| 2015 or older | $100 |
At $15,000 and up, Table B sets the tax by price: $850 from $15,000 to $19,999.99, $1,100 from $20,000 to $24,999.99, and more above that. Trade-ins do not lower it, and a purchase from a spouse, parent, sibling or child is $15. Some cities and counties add a local tax, listed on Form RUT-6. You can file on MyTax Illinois, and the RUT-50 instructions say to print a copy, because the Secretary of State will not process your title and plates without it.
Under 625 ILCS 5/3-821, an Illinois certificate of title costs $165 and a salvage certificate costs $20. Registration and plates are separate. Buying out of state for an Illinois address? The use tax rates page points RUT-25 buyers to the MyTax Illinois Tax Rate Finder for their rate.
Do you need a dealer license to buy at auction in Illinois?
Only for dealer auctions and to resell for profit. For your own car, use a broker, a public sale, or a public marketplace. If you plan to flip, read how many cars you can sell in Illinois without a license first, then how to get a used car dealer license in Illinois.
How to bid at an Illinois car auction without getting burned
- 1. Check who can buy before you register. Look for a public buyer or no license filter, and read the state rules for where the car sits.
- 2. Add up the real total. Bid, buyer premium, broker fee, transport, storage, Illinois tax and the $165 title fee.
- 3. Know the buyer premium. Our guide to the car auction buyer premium shows how sites build it.
- 4. Plan pickup before you win. Most yards charge storage after a few days, and iBid does not ship.
- 5. Read the title type. A salvage certificate cannot be used to register and drive the car.
A simpler way to buy at auction prices in Illinois
If you want auction pricing without a broker, a membership fee, or a trip to a salvage yard, Remarket Space is an online car marketplace open to the public. You need a free account and an ID, not a dealer license. Every listing has an inspection by a Verified Remarket Space Inspector, a free Carfax, an HD virtual test drive, and the out-the-door total with a delivery quote. Buy Now or bid live, pay by card within 48 hours, and the car is delivered, typically within 48 hours. Undisclosed engine, transmission, frame or flood damage reported within 72 hours of delivery is covered by our 3-Day Major Mechanical Guarantee.
See cars up for auction now, read how bidding works, or check the buyer premium and fees. On a $2,000 winning bid, the buyer premium is $459 and the admin fee is $189, for $2,648 before delivery and Illinois tax. Start with cars under $5,000, used SUVs or used trucks. Those cars are currently in Minnesota and ship to Illinois with a quote. Title paperwork can take 8 to 12 weeks, so ask how titling works before you bid.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but fewer than most lists suggest. The public can bid on iBid, the State of Illinois online auction, some city tow sales, and online marketplaces like Remarket Space. Copart and IAA yards in Illinois need a broker, and wholesale lanes are for dealers.
Not directly. Copart lists Illinois as broker-only for private individuals on both titled and salvage cars. A licensed broker can bid for you for a fee. Copart’s Missouri yard near St. Louis lets the public bid on clean-titled cars.
Not without a broker. IAA St. Louis sits in Caseyville, Illinois, and Illinois is not on IAA’s public buyer state list. A licensed broker can bid under their license, and IAA keeps a broker listing on its help site.
Start with iBid, the State of Illinois online auction at ibid.illinois.gov. It sells state surplus vehicles plus cars from some local sellers such as the Illinois State Police and Illinois Tollway. iBid charges a 2% buyer fee and sells as-is.
The City of Chicago says towed cars are normally stored for no more than 21 days after the owner is notified, and unclaimed cars may be disposed of or sold at auction. It does not post a public auction calendar on its towing page.
It depends on the seller. Illinois dealers file Form ST-556 for you. A private party car under $15,000 is taxed by age on Form RUT-50, from $100 to $465 in 2026. Out-of-state dealer purchases use Form RUT-25.
Yes. Remarket Space is an online car marketplace open to the public with no dealer license or membership fee. Every car has an inspection, a free Carfax and an out-the-door price, and it is delivered to Illinois with a quote.
Sources
- Illinois Department of Revenue: Tax requirements for cars
- Illinois Department of Revenue: RUT-50 instructions
- Illinois Department of Revenue: RUT-5 Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Chart for 2026
- Illinois Department of Revenue: Use tax rates
- Illinois Compiled Statutes: 625 ILCS 5/3-821, title fees
- State of Illinois: iBid online auction
- State of Illinois: iBid terms and conditions
- State of Illinois: iBid fees
- City of Chicago: Common towing questions
- Copart: State Licensing Overview
- IAA: Public Buyer State by State Eligibility
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Auction rules and Illinois fees change, so confirm with the auction and the Illinois Department of Revenue before you bid.
