A large share of the used cars in Moldova come from the United States. Many of them were bought at the Copart and IAA (Insurance Auto Auctions) auctions — platforms where insurers, banks and dealers sell damaged vehicles, recovered thefts and ex-lease cars. Prices can be attractive, but the risks are real. This guide explains how the process works and what to watch for.
What Copart and IAA are
Copart and IAA are the largest online car auctions in the USA. Most cars are sold by insurance companies after being declared a total loss — the repair was considered too expensive compared with the car’s value. They also sell cars with minor damage, recovered thefts, flood-damaged cars and simply old vehicles.
Each lot usually has photos, the primary and secondary damage type, the declared mileage, the title status (Clean, Salvage, etc.) and whether the engine starts (“Run and Drive”). You will find explanations of these terms in the Copart and IAA glossary.
How a car gets from the auction to Moldova
- Choosing a lot and bidding. Private buyers outside the USA usually buy through a licensed broker who bids on their behalf.
- Payment and auction fees. Auction fees and the broker’s commission are added to the winning bid.
- Inland transport in the USA to the departure port.
- Ocean shipping in a container to a European port, then road transport to Moldova.
- Customs clearance in Moldova: excise duty, VAT and other charges depending on age, engine and value. You can estimate the total with the customs calculator.
- Repair, if the car is damaged.
- Registration with ASP after the technical inspection.
The whole process usually takes from a few weeks to a few months. The final cost can be much higher than the auction price — which is why the full calculation should be done before bidding, not after.
The main risks
Hidden damage
Auction photos don’t show everything. A car with “front end damage” may also have deployed airbags, broken radiators or a deformed structure. “Water/Flood” damage is especially risky: electrical problems may appear months later.
Mileage
At auctions the mileage may be marked “Actual”, “Not Actual” or “Exempt”. “Not Actual” means the value cannot be confirmed.
Poor-quality repair
The problem is not that the car was damaged, but how it was repaired. A cheap repair can leave safety problems: airbags not replaced, poor welding, incorrect geometry.
How to check a US car that is already in Moldova
If you are buying a car imported from America, the seller will not always tell you it was bought at auction as a total loss. A VIN history can show:
- whether the car appeared at Copart or IAA, with the photos from that time;
- the type and area of damage;
- the car’s title — for example Salvage or Flood (see what each title means);
- the mileage at the time of sale;
- open safety recalls.
Compare the auction photos with the real car. If the damaged area looks “like new”, ask for repair details and take the car to a workshop that checks the body geometry and the airbag system.
The report for US cars is available on the USA vehicle check page.
Is a car from the USA worth it?
It can be — on one condition: you know exactly what you are buying. A car with light damage, repaired properly and sold at a price that reflects its history, can be a good choice. A car with heavy damage, repaired cheaply and sold as “accident-free”, is a waste of money and a safety risk.
The basic rule: check the VIN history, compare the auction photos with the real car, and negotiate the price based on what you found.
