You want to buy a car at auction in Missouri, and every list you find mixes dealer-only sales, salvage yards, and public auctions together. The real question is simple: which ones will let you bid without a dealer license? Here is the short list, sorted by who can actually buy, plus what you pay and what Missouri needs from you after you win.
The short answer: Missouri licenses dozens of vehicle auctions, but many big ones sell only to licensed dealers. The public can bid on clean-titled cars at Copart’s four Missouri yards, on state surplus vehicles through GovDeals, and at city tow lot sales. After you win, you have 30 days to title the car and pay 4.225% state sales tax plus local tax.
Updated October 16, 2026. Checked against the Missouri Department of Revenue licensed auction list, Missouri statutes, Copart and IAA buyer rules, and the Missouri Office of Administration. Sources are linked at the bottom.
Key takeaways
- Dealer auctions: Missouri law defines a wholesale motor vehicle auction as one where the buyers are licensed dealers. Manheim, for example, checks buyers through AuctionACCESS, a dealer verification service.
- Copart: private buyers can bid on titled cars at Missouri yards. Salvage cars need a licensed broker.
- IAA: Missouri is not on its public buyer list, so the Springfield and Kansas City branches mean using a broker.
- Government sales: the state sells surplus vehicles on GovDeals, and Kansas City auctions unclaimed tow lot cars once a month.
- After you win: 30 days to title, 4.225% state sales tax plus local tax, an $8.50 title fee, and a $9 processing fee.
- Easiest option: Remarket Space is an online marketplace open to the public, with no dealer license and no membership fee, and it delivers to Missouri.
Which car auctions in Missouri are open to the public?
Fewer than most lists suggest. Missouri’s statute splits auctions into two kinds. A public motor vehicle auction sells through a licensed auctioneer. A wholesale motor vehicle auction sells only to dealers licensed in Missouri or another state, according to RSMo 301.550. The name on the sign does not always tell you which one you are walking into, so check before you drive there.
| Where to buy | Can the public bid? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Copart (St. Louis area, Columbia, Springfield area, Sikeston) | Yes for titled cars. Salvage needs a broker. | Damaged and repairable cars, some runners |
| IAA (Springfield, Kansas City area) | Not directly in Missouri. Use a broker. | Insurance total losses |
| Manheim, America’s Auto Auction | Dealer sales. Manheim requires AuctionACCESS dealer verification. | Licensed dealers |
| State surplus on GovDeals | Yes, with a GovDeals account | Former state fleet cars and trucks |
| City tow lot auctions | Yes, register with the auction site | Cheap unclaimed cars, sold as is |
| Remarket Space (online) | Yes. No dealer license, no membership fee. | Inspected cars with an out-the-door price, delivered |
Live in the St. Louis metro? Our hub on car auctions in St. Louis goes deeper on the local options, including both sides of the river.
Licensed car auctions in Missouri: the 2026 list
The Missouri Department of Revenue auction dealer report lists every business holding a Missouri auction license. The report is dated October 6, 2026. Here are the main vehicle auctions on it, grouped by region. Phone numbers are the ones on file with the state.
| Region | Auction | City | Phone on state file | Public bidding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis area | Copart | Bridgeton | (314) 291-8400 | Titled cars yes. Salvage needs a broker. |
| St. Louis area | Manheim St. Louis | Bridgeton | (314) 739-1300 | Dealers, verified through AuctionACCESS |
| St. Louis area | ADESA St. Louis | Barnhart | (480) 977-6808 | Ask the auction |
| Kansas City area | America’s Auto Auction Kansas City | Kansas City | (816) 502-3318 | Serves dealers and institutional customers |
| Kansas City area | Manheim Kansas City | Kansas City | (800) 927-9801 | Dealers, verified through AuctionACCESS |
| Kansas City area | ADESA Kansas City | Belton | (480) 977-6808 | Ask the auction |
| Kansas City area | IAA | Odessa | (224) 315-1427 | No public buyer program in Missouri. Broker. |
| Kansas City area | Mecum Auctions | Kansas City | (262) 275-5050 | Collector car sales. Ask about bidder registration. |
| Central Missouri | Missouri Auto Auction | Columbia | (573) 886-0032 | Ask the auction |
| Central Missouri | Columbia Central MO Auto Auction | Columbia | (573) 443-2428 | Ask the auction |
| Central Missouri | Copart | Columbia | (573) 814-0070 | Titled cars yes. Salvage needs a broker. |
| Central Missouri | Moberly Auto Auction | Moberly | (660) 263-3336 | Ask the auction |
| Central Missouri | Rolla Auto Auction | Rolla | (573) 341-9984 | Ask the auction |
| Southwest Missouri | 166 Auto Auction | Springfield | (800) 553-4070 | Ask the auction |
| Southwest Missouri | IAA | Springfield | (417) 863-8976 | No public buyer program in Missouri. Broker. |
| Southwest Missouri | Copart | Rogersville | (417) 753-3300 | Titled cars yes. Salvage needs a broker. |
| Southeast Missouri | Copart | Sikeston | (573) 471-4550 | Titled cars yes. Salvage needs a broker. |
| Southeast Missouri | Dixie Auto Auction | Malden | (573) 276-2233 | Ask the auction |
| Southeast Missouri | Poplar Bluff Auto Auction | Poplar Bluff | (636) 686-7111 | Ask the auction |
A Missouri auction license does not mean the public can buy there. Call first and ask two things: do you sell to the public, and what ID or deposit do you need to register?
Can you buy at Copart or IAA in Missouri without a dealer license?
At Copart, partly. Copart’s State Licensing Overview says private individuals can bid on titled cars located in Missouri, but salvage cars need a broker. The rule follows where the car sits, not where you live.
At IAA, not directly. IAA’s Public Buyer State by State Eligibility list does not include Missouri, so a broker is the usual path at its Springfield and Odessa branches.
The broker rule for salvage comes from state law. The Department of Revenue salvage titling manual says only Missouri salvage license holders, out-of-state businesses allowed to rebuild or dismantle cars, and foreign buyers exporting the car can take part in salvage pool sales. Our guide to Copart and IAA in St. Louis covers memberships, storage fees, and how a salvage car gets back on the road.
Are there government and police car auctions in Missouri?
Yes, and these are open to the public. The Missouri State Surplus Property program sells items of value, including vehicles, on the GovDeals auction website, which anyone with an account can use.
Cities sell unclaimed towed cars too. Kansas City’s tow service says vehicles not claimed by their owners or held as evidence are auctioned once a month through OAI Auctions. These cars are sold as is, often with little history, so budget for repairs and a tow. For St. Louis, see our guide to police and impound car auctions in St. Louis.
Do you need a dealer license to buy at auction in Missouri?
Only for dealer-only sales. Manheim’s registration FAQ says buyers first get an AuctionACCESS ID, which confirms you are an authorized dealer. Getting a license just to buy a car or two is rarely worth it. If you plan to flip cars, read how many cars you can sell in Missouri without a dealer license and our guide to getting a used car dealer license in Missouri.
What does a Missouri auction car really cost?
More than the hammer price. Add these up before you set your top bid:
| Cost | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Buyer fees | Every auction charges its own buyer premium on top of the bid. See how they compare in our car auction buyer premium guide. |
| Broker fee | Only if you need a broker for Copart salvage or IAA. Get it in writing first. |
| Pickup and storage | Salvage yards charge daily storage after a few free days. Plan a tow. |
| Missouri sales tax | 4.225% state rate plus your local rate, on the price minus any trade-in |
| Title and processing | $8.50 title fee and $9 processing fee |
| Late title penalty | $25 starting on day 31, rising $25 every 30 days to $200 |
Your local rate depends on where you live. Our Missouri car sales tax guide has examples for St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County.
What do you do after you win a car at auction in Missouri?
- 1. Get the title and a bill of sale. Make sure the title is assigned to you and the VIN matches the car.
- 2. Get a safety inspection if needed. The Department of Revenue exempts cars under 11 years old with fewer than 150,000 miles. Otherwise the inspection must be no more than 60 days old.
- 3. Get an emissions test if you live in the St. Louis area. It is required in St. Louis City and St. Louis, St. Charles, and Jefferson counties. See our St. Louis emissions testing guide.
- 4. Title and pay tax within 30 days at a license office. Our Missouri title transfer guide lists every form.
- 5. Bought out of state? The steps change a little. See registering an out-of-state car in Missouri.
Live near the state line?
Rules follow where you title the car. If you live in the Illinois Metro East, you pay Illinois tax and title through Illinois, even if you buy in Missouri. Our guide to car auctions in Illinois covers that side of the river. Kansas City buyers on the Kansas side can start with car auctions in Kansas.
A simpler way to buy auction cars in Missouri
If you want auction prices without a dealer license, a broker, or a salvage yard tow, Remarket Space is an online car marketplace open to the public. Sign-up is free with an ID. 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 the delivery quote included. Buy Now or bid live, pay by card within 48 hours, and the car is delivered nationwide, 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’s premium is $459 and the admin fee is $189, for $2,648 before delivery and Missouri tax. Browse cars under $5,000 or used SUVs. Those cars are currently in Minnesota and ship to Missouri with a quote. Title paperwork can take 8 to 12 weeks, so ask how titling works before you bid.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Copart lets private buyers bid on titled cars at its Missouri yards, the state sells surplus vehicles on GovDeals, and Kansas City auctions unclaimed tow lot cars monthly. Many other licensed Missouri auctions sell only to dealers, so call before you go.
Yes, at public sales. Copart titled cars, GovDeals state surplus, city tow lot auctions, and online marketplaces like Remarket Space do not need a dealer license. Dealer auctions such as Manheim verify buyers as licensed dealers.
Not directly at salvage pools. Missouri limits those sales to Missouri salvage license holders, out-of-state businesses allowed to rebuild or dismantle cars, and foreign buyers exporting the car. Private buyers usually go through a licensed broker.
Manheim registers buyers through AuctionACCESS, a service that confirms you are an authorized dealer. Without a dealer license you generally cannot bid there. Copart, GovDeals, and online public marketplaces are the usual alternatives.
30 days from the purchase date. Missouri charges a $25 penalty starting on day 31, rising $25 every 30 days up to $200. You also pay 4.225% state sales tax plus local tax, an $8.50 title fee, and a $9 processing fee.
Only if you live in St. Louis City or St. Louis, St. Charles, or Jefferson County. Cars under 11 years old with fewer than 150,000 miles also skip the safety inspection.
The Missouri Department of Revenue publishes an auction dealer report listing every business with a Missouri auction license, with city, county, and phone number. A license alone does not mean the public can bid.
Sources
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Auction dealer report
- Missouri Revisor of Statutes: RSMo 301.550 definitions
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Salvage business and titling requirements
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Buying a vehicle
- Missouri Office of Administration: State Surplus Property program
- City of Kansas City: Tow services
- Copart: State Licensing Overview
- IAA: Public Buyer State by State Eligibility
- Manheim: New dealer registration FAQ
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Auctions change their buyer rules, so confirm with the auction and the Missouri Department of Revenue before you bid.
