How to Estimate Salvage Repair Costs
Estimating · · 20 min read
A disciplined estimate beats a gut feeling at every auction.
IAA
Estimate repairs on an IAA vehicle
IAA loss types and condition notes carry real signal about the repair ahead. Here is how to convert them into a number you can bid against.
IAA inputs to your estimate
Loss type
Collision, flood, and theft-recovery each imply a different repair profile. Flood loss, for instance, adds electrical, corrosion, and mold risk beyond visible damage.
Damage fields
Primary and secondary damage start your parts and labor inventory. IAA secondary fields can be sparse, so plan for undisclosed damage.
Run and drive
A useful operating signal that does not address structure, airbag status, or safety systems. Add structural inspection cost to your budget.
ACV
ACV helps frame pre-loss value, but your repaired value estimate still sets the bid ceiling in your math.
Title and document type
IAA shows the sale document type and title brand. Confirm these work for your planned registration state before bidding.
Buyer fees and location
IAA fees and yard location add meaningful cost. Include transport in your all-in model.
How IAA loss types change repair scope
The loss type on an IAA listing is one of the most useful signals for setting your contingency.
Collision and hail
- Structural damage risk varies by impact severity
- Safety systems likely triggered — budget airbags
- Calibration almost always required
- Contingency: moderate to high
Flood and theft recovery
- Flood: electrical, corrosion, mold risk for years
- Theft: stripped parts — inventory everything carefully
- Vandalism: unpredictable scope, inspect thoroughly
- Contingency: high across all three types
IAA repair estimate questions
- How does IAA loss type affect my repair estimate?
- Loss type changes the hidden-damage profile and the contingency you should build in. Flood loss demands a large electrical and corrosion buffer. Theft recovery requires a full inventory of what is missing. Collision depends on the zone and severity.
- What contingency should I use for an IAA flood vehicle?
- Flood vehicles deserve a high contingency — often higher than the visible repair cost — because corrosion and electrical damage can surface for months after purchase. If you cannot afford an expensive surprise, a flood loss may not be the right category.
- Is IAA's run-and-drive condition reliable for a repair estimate?
- It tells you the car ran at the yard. It does not tell you what breaks on the road, and it says nothing about structural integrity or airbag status. Use it as a data point, not a clean bill of health, and budget for structural inspection.
- How do I verify IAA fees before building my estimate?
- IAA publishes its buyer fee schedule by location and sale type. Check the current schedule for the specific yard and include the fee tier for your expected bid range in your all-in cost model.
Related estimating guides
Guides on Copart repair estimating, the four cost buckets, and building a full cost model.
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