Total Cost of an Auction Car in Georgia (2026)
An $8,000 Copart win titled in Georgia lands near $9,987 before transport and repairs: $1,409 in Copart fees, $560 of Georgia 7% TAVT on fair market value (hammer used as the value here) and a $18 title fee. The same car at IAAI comes to $9,521.
Georgia worked example: three hammer prices
| Hammer | Copart fees | IAAI fees | GA tax | GA title | All-in Copart | All-in IAAI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | $809 | $528 | $210 | $18 | $4,037 | $3,756 |
| $8,000 | $1,409 | $943 | $560 | $18 | $9,987 | $9,521 |
| $15,000 | $1,534 | $1,378 | $1,050 | $18 | $17,602 | $17,446 |
Auction fees: standard buyer schedules with online bid, gate/service, environmental and documentation fees, no storage (Copart, IAAI). Tax is applied to the hammer price, used as a stand-in for the value Georgia actually taxes.
Georgia tax and title on an auction buy
Georgia replaced sales tax with a one-time Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 7% on the fair market value. No local additions. No trade-in credit (TAVT is on full FMV).
- Rate used above: 7% TAVT on fair market value (hammer used as the value here).
- No local add-on stacks on this Georgia rate in our data.
- Title transfer in Georgia: $18. Registration and plate fees are separate and not in our data; your DMV sets them.
Check your own numbers in the Georgia vehicle sales tax calculator.
Buying in Georgia as a licensed dealer
Georgia dealer licenses come from Georgia Secretary of State – State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers (Used Motor Vehicle Dealer). Bond: $35,000 (used motor vehicle dealer).
Every licensing fact with its official source: Georgia dealer license guide.
Manheim and transport
Manheim sets its buyer fee per auction location, so there is no single number to put in a Georgia table. Online Simulcast buys add Manheim's standard $50 Simulcast buyer fee on top (Manheim). Transport depends on distance and carrier; price it per car and add it last.
Tools for Georgia buyers
FAQ
What does a $3,000 Copart car really cost in Georgia?
About $4,037: the $3,000 bid, $809 in Copart fees, $210 Georgia tax (7% TAVT on fair market value (hammer used as the value here)) and a $18 title fee. Transport, registration and repairs come on top.
Is IAAI or Copart cheaper on a $15,000 car in Georgia?
On the standard schedules we use, IAAI comes to $17,446 and Copart to $17,602 at a $15,000 hammer, Georgia tax and title included. The Georgia side of the bill is the same at both; only the auction fees differ.
How is sales tax charged on an auction car in Georgia?
Georgia replaced sales tax with a one-time Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 7% on the fair market value. No local additions. No trade-in credit (TAVT is on full FMV).
What does it take to buy as a licensed dealer in Georgia?
Georgia Secretary of State – State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers issues the license. The surety bond is $35,000 (used motor vehicle dealer). Full requirements are on our Georgia dealer license page.
Know the Georgia resale before you bid
The cost side is above. Check what the car sells for in Georgia before you commit.
Estimates, not a quote. Auction fee schedules change and some yards add surcharges; state tax and title figures are from our state tax file. Confirm with the auction and your DMV.