Our History – A Journey of Pioneers

History in Finland

Pioneering Since 1966

The story of Copart Finland began in 1966 as Yhteisvarasto Oy. Over the decades, we have evolved from Yhteisvarasto to Autovahinkokeskus (AVK) and eventually to Copart Finland, becoming part of the global Copart.

Our name, technology and ways of working have changed, but one principle has remained at the heart of our operations: extending vehicle lifecycles safely and making the most efficient use of existing resources.

Explore our history decade by decade and discover how our operations have evolved from the 1960s to the present day.

1960s – Where It All Began

Finland's rapid growth in car ownership led to an increase in traffic accidents and the number of salvage vehicles. A new approach was needed to manage the storage, sale and recovery of these vehicles in a centralized and efficient way.

In 1966, Yhteisvarasto Oy began its operations. The business soon expanded to include dismantling damaged vehicles and recovering usable spare parts. In 1968, operations moved to Juvanmalmi in Espoo, where Copart Finland's headquarters are still located today.

1970s – Road Safety, Research and New Repair Methods

During the 1970s, Yhteisvarasto was much more than a facility for handling damaged vehicles. Its Research and Training Workshop developed new repair methods and provided training for automotive industry professionals.

The decade is also remembered for Kolari-Kaisa and the Monument of Vanity, two memorable initiatives that raised awareness of road safety and the costs of unnecessary parts replacement, attracting attention in the media.

1980s – From Yhteisvarasto to Autovahinkokeskus

A new decade brought a new name. In 1980, Yhteisvarasto Oy became Autovahinkokeskus Oy, better known as AVK.

Operations and technology continued to develop. The company's first computer was introduced in 1983, and by the end of the decade, operations had expanded to Pirkkala. Over the following decades, AVK became a familiar name among Finnish motorists and automotive industry professionals.

1990s and 2000s – Towards Digital and Nationwide Operations

During the 1990s, AVK continued to grow and took its first steps towards a digital future. The AVK.fi website was launched in 1997, and the internet gradually began to transform how customers explored and purchased vehicles.

Services expanded further in the 2000s. Logistics services were introduced in 2004, and a nationwide network of vehicle storage locations began to take shape. Buying and transporting vehicles became increasingly accessible to customers across Finland.

2010s – Online Auctions and the Arrival of Copart in Finland

The 2010s marked one of the most significant turning points in our history. Vehicle sales increasingly moved online, with the launch of an online store in 2011 and online auctions in 2013.

In 2018, Copart Inc. acquired Autovahinkokeskus Oy, bringing together decades of Finnish industry expertise and Copart's global experience in digital vehicle auctions. In 2019, the company was renamed Copart Suomi Oy, and the first Copart Finland auction was held on the new platform.

2020s – Our Story Continues

Throughout the 2020s, Copart Finland has continued to evolve. Digitalization, an international buyer network and the circular economy have become increasingly important parts of our operations. At the same time, our services have expanded beyond insurance salvage vehicles to include vehicle remarketing for private individuals, car dealerships and other businesses.

In 2025, Intrust Assignment Oy became part of Copart Finland, further expanding our services for finance companies to include vehicle management, logistics and technical services.

In 2026, Copart Finland reached a significant milestone: 60 years of operations in Finland. Our journey continues. Technology and the business environment keep evolving, but our commitment to making efficient use of resources and safely extending vehicle lifecycles remains unchanged.

History in the United States and Worldwide

Copart Inc.

Willis J. Johnson founded Copart in California in 1982. The company started from humble beginnings at a vehicle salvage yard but grew rapidly, driven by Johnson's entrepreneurial spirit and vision for growth.

In 1994, Copart went public on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol CPRT, providing the capital needed to accelerate its expansion. Later, Copart's development of the VB3 online auction platform significantly transformed its business model, helping establish Copart as a global vehicle auction and remarketing platform connecting sellers and buyers around the world.

Today, Copart is the world's leading provider of online vehicle auctions, remarketing and insurance services. The company sells more than four million vehicles annually worldwide through its online auction platform.

Copart Inc. is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and employs more than 11,000 people across over 270 locations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Ireland, Spain, Germany and Finland.