Lot Vision is a tracking tool that helps people find cars on huge auction lots in just a few minutes instead of hours. Anyone who has walked across a Manheim auction lot knows how hard it is to spot one car among thousands. Rows of similar trucks and sedans can make a simple pickup feel like a treasure hunt. Lot Vision was built to solve this exact problem. It uses GPS and smart wireless technology to show the exact spot of a vehicle on a map, so dealers, buyers, and transporters can walk straight to the car they need.
What Is Lot Vision?
Lot Vision is a vehicle tracking system created by Manheim, the largest vehicle auction company in the United States. Manheim built the technology together with Cox2M, the connected device team inside Cox Communications. The system was first introduced in 2019 and has since grown to cover most Manheim auction locations across the country.
The tool is free for registered Manheim dealers, buyers, and transporters. It locates a vehicle within about 10 feet, which is accurate enough to walk right up to the correct car without any guesswork. Manheim staff place a small wireless tracker on each vehicle, and that tracker does all the work behind the scenes.
How Does Lot Vision Work?
A small GPS-based wireless device sits inside the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic port. This device constantly sends location data to Manheim’s network using IoT (Internet of Things) signals. As the car moves around the lot, even just a few feet, the system updates its position automatically.
Users search for a vehicle by typing in its VIN or work order number, both of which appear on a Gate Pass or Purchase Invoice. The car then shows up as a pin on an interactive map. A feature called “Show My Position” also displays where the user is standing, which makes it easy to plan the shortest walking route to the vehicle.
Main Features of Lot Vision
Lot Vision offers more than simple location tracking. It also collects diagnostic trouble codes, often called DTCs, from most vehicles on the lot. Buyers can view more than 7,000 of these codes directly on their phone or laptop, which helps them understand a vehicle’s condition before they commit to a purchase.
The system also supports bulk searches of up to 300 vehicles at once using a list of VINs or work order numbers. This is especially useful for transporters who need to find many vehicles in one trip. Users can reach Lot Vision through the Manheim app, a web browser, or by scanning a QR code posted at the auction site.
How to Access Lot Vision
Getting started with Lot Vision is simple and does not require any special software. Buyers can open it through Manheim.com or the Manheim mobile app under the Purchases tab, while sellers can find it in the Selling Center under View Inventory. Transporters with a Gate Pass can also use a Guest View link without needing a full account.
For the smoothest experience, Manheim recommends using Chrome, Firefox, or Safari on a phone or computer. Before searching for a vehicle, users should turn on location services on their device. This allows the map to show their own position next to the vehicle, which makes navigation across a large lot much easier.
Why Lot Vision Matters
The biggest benefit of Lot Vision is time savings. Many dealers have reported finding their vehicle within minutes, compared to the hours that manual searching used to take. This matters a great deal at busy locations like Manheim Dallas or Manheim Atlanta, where thousands of vehicles can be on site at once.
Lot Vision also supports better decision making. Since buyers can check diagnostic codes before they ever walk up to a car, they get a clearer picture of its condition ahead of time. For Manheim itself, the system reduces lost or misplaced vehicles and helps staff manage the lot more smoothly, all while remaining free for every registered client.
Conclusion
Lot Vision has changed the way people search for vehicles at Manheim auctions. By combining GPS tracking, real-time maps, and useful diagnostic data, it turns a once frustrating task into a quick and simple process. Whether you are a dealer, buyer, or transporter, Lot Vision can save you time and make every visit to the lot easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lot Vision free to use?
Yes, Lot Vision is free for registered Manheim dealers, buyers, and transporters at supported locations.
How accurate is Lot Vision?
The system can locate a vehicle within about 10 feet of its actual position.
Can I use Lot Vision on my phone?
Yes, Lot Vision works through the Manheim app on iOS and Android, as well as through web browsers like Chrome and Safari.
Who is allowed to use Lot Vision?
Lot Vision is meant for registered Manheim dealers, buyers, and transporters at participating auction locations.
Can I remove the tracking device from my car myself?
No, only Manheim team members are allowed to remove the tracking device once a vehicle is ready for pickup.
