| Cover | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2022 | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | DEF 14A |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Entity Registrant Name | KAR AUCTION SERVICES, INC. |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001395942 |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure pure in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
| Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block] | PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE The following tables and related disclosures provide information about (i) the total compensation of our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and our non-PEO named executive officers (collectively, the “Non-PEO NEOs”) as presented in the Summary Compensation Table on page 47, (ii) the “compensation actually paid” (“CAP”) to our PEO and Non-PEO NEOs, as calculated pursuant to Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K (“Item 402(v)”), (iii) certain financial performance measures, and (iv) the relationship of the CAP to those financial performance measures. CAP, as determined under SEC rules, does not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to our named executive officers during a covered year or the way in which the Compensation Committee views compensation decisions. The Compensation Committee did not consider the pay-versus-performance disclosure below in making its pay decisions for any of the years shown. For further information on our pay-for-performance philosophy and how our executive compensation aligns with the Company’s performance, refer to “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 27. Pay Versus Performance Table Year Summary ($) (1)(2) Summary ($) (1)(2) Compensation ($) (1)(3) Compensation PEO (1)(3) Average ($) (1)(4) Average ($) (1)(5) Value of Initial Fixed Net Income (8) Adjusted EBITDA ($ Millions) (9) Total ($) (6) Peer Group ($) (7) 2022 — 7,028,222 — 3,969,021 2,658,920 678,130 61 118 241.2 231.2 2021 4,791,562 8,477,933 3,283,034 10,085,548 2,645,862 2,741,683 73 141 66.5 434.2 2020 5,847,463 — 7,717,959 — 1,963,108 2,365,166 87 111 0.5 375.3 (1) James P. Hallett was our PEO in 2020 (First PEO). In 2021, Peter J. Kelly became our PEO effective April 1, 2021 (Second PEO), and Mr. Hallett stepped down from the PEO role on March 31, 2021. Mr. Kelly was our PEO in 2022. The Non-PEO NEOs included in these columns reflect the following: • 2022: Eric M. Loughmiller; James P. Hallett; James P. Coyle; Sriram Subrahmanyam; John C. Hammer; and Thomas J. Fisher. • 2021: Eric M. Loughmiller; John C. Hammer; Justin Davis; and James P. Coyle. • 2020: Eric M. Loughmiller; Peter J. Kelly; John C. Hammer; and Thomas J. Fisher. (2) Amounts reflect the total compensation for our PEOs, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year. (3) Amounts reflect the CAP to our PEOs, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v). Equity values are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and the valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. As provided in Item 402(v), the adjustments in the table below were made to each of our PEOs’ total compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table for each year to determine the compensation actually paid to our PEOs for purposes of this disclosure. Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) Total for PEOs First PEO – Mr. Hallett Second PEO – Mr. Kelly 2022 2021 2020 2022 2021 2020 SCT Total — $4,791,562 $5,847,463 $7,028,222 $8,477,933 — Adjustments for stock awards and option awards (Deduct): Aggregate value for stock awards and option awards included in SCT Total for the covered fiscal year — ($3,750,017) ($3,900,024) ($6,005,505) ($7,500,004) — Add: Fair value at year end of awards granted during the covered fiscal year that were outstanding and unvested at the covered fiscal year end — $5,880,862 $3,283,850 $4,785,239 $10,154,053 — Add (Deduct): Year-over-year change in fair value at covered fiscal year end of awards granted in any prior fiscal year that were outstanding and unvested at the covered fiscal year end — ($1,775,630) $2,233,527 ($1,216,563) ($567,259) — Add: Vesting date fair value of awards granted and vested during the covered fiscal year — — $27,281 — — — Add (Deduct): Change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of awards granted in any prior fiscal year for which vesting conditions were satisfied during the covered fiscal year — ($1,863,742) $61,799 $102,647 ($479,175) — (Deduct): Fair value at end of prior fiscal year of awards granted in any prior fiscal year that failed to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the covered fiscal year — — — ($725,020) — — Add: Dividends or other earnings paid on awards in the covered fiscal year prior to vesting if not otherwise included in the SCT Total for the covered fiscal year — — $164,063 — — — CAP Amounts (as calculated) — $3,283,034 $7,717,959 $3,969,021 $10,085,548 — (4) Amounts reflect the average compensation for our non-PEO NEOs, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year. (5) Amounts reflect the average CAP to our Non-PEO NEOs, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v). Equity values are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and the valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. As provided in Item 402(v), the adjustments in the table below were made to average the Non-PEO NEO’s total compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table for each year to determine the average compensation actually paid to Non-PEO NEOs for purposes of this disclosure. Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) Total for Non-PEO NEOs 2022 2021 2020 SCT Total $2,658,920 $2,645,862 $1,963,108 Adjustments for stock awards and option awards (Deduct): Aggregate value for stock awards and option awards included in SCT Total for the covered fiscal year ($1,409,909) ($2,171,882) ($992,523) Add: Fair value at year end of awards granted during the covered fiscal year that were outstanding and unvested at the covered fiscal year end $1,122,288 $2,850,802 $841,142 Add (Deduct): Year-over-year change in fair value at covered fiscal year end of awards granted in any prior fiscal year that were outstanding and unvested at the covered fiscal year end ($328,936) ($288,831) $548,649 Add: Vesting date fair value of awards granted and vested during the covered fiscal year $17,368 — $1,472 Add (Deduct): Change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of awards granted in any prior fiscal year for which vesting conditions were satisfied during the covered fiscal year $15,568 ($294,268) ($29,671) (Deduct): Fair value at end of prior fiscal year of awards granted in any prior fiscal year that failed to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the covered fiscal year ($1,397,170) — — Add: Dividends or other earnings paid on awards in the covered fiscal year prior to vesting if not otherwise included in the SCT Total for the covered fiscal year — — $32,991 CAP Amounts (as calculated) $678,130 $2,741,683 $2,365,166 (6) The amounts in this column assume the investment of $100 on December 31, 2019 in the Company’s common stock and reinvestment of all dividends since that date. (7) The amounts in this column assume the investment of $100 on December 31, 2019 in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which we also utilize in the stock performance graph required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. (8) Amounts reflect the Company’s net income as reported in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year. (9) Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure), as defined on page 36, was selected as the 2022 “Company-Selected Measure” as defined in Item 402(v). | ||
| Company Selected Measure Name | Adjusted EBITDA | ||
| Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] | (1) James P. Hallett was our PEO in 2020 (First PEO). In 2021, Peter J. Kelly became our PEO effective April 1, 2021 (Second PEO), and Mr. Hallett stepped down from the PEO role on March 31, 2021. Mr. Kelly was our PEO in 2022. The Non-PEO NEOs included in these columns reflect the following: • 2022: Eric M. Loughmiller; James P. Hallett; James P. Coyle; Sriram Subrahmanyam; John C. Hammer; and Thomas J. Fisher. • 2021: Eric M. Loughmiller; John C. Hammer; Justin Davis; and James P. Coyle. • 2020: Eric M. Loughmiller; Peter J. Kelly; John C. Hammer; and Thomas J. Fisher. | ||
| Peer Group Issuers, Footnote [Text Block] | (7) The amounts in this column assume the investment of $100 on December 31, 2019 in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which we also utilize in the stock performance graph required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. | ||
| Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote [Text Block] | (2) Amounts reflect the total compensation for our PEOs, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year. (3) Amounts reflect the CAP to our PEOs, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v). Equity values are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and the valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. As provided in Item 402(v), the adjustments in the table below were made to each of our PEOs’ total compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table for each year to determine the compensation actually paid to our PEOs for purposes of this disclosure. Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) Total for PEOs First PEO – Mr. Hallett Second PEO – Mr. Kelly 2022 2021 2020 2022 2021 2020 SCT Total — $4,791,562 $5,847,463 $7,028,222 $8,477,933 — Adjustments for stock awards and option awards (Deduct): Aggregate value for stock awards and option awards included in SCT Total for the covered fiscal year — ($3,750,017) ($3,900,024) ($6,005,505) ($7,500,004) — Add: Fair value at year end of awards granted during the covered fiscal year that were outstanding and unvested at the covered fiscal year end — $5,880,862 $3,283,850 $4,785,239 $10,154,053 — Add (Deduct): Year-over-year change in fair value at covered fiscal year end of awards granted in any prior fiscal year that were outstanding and unvested at the covered fiscal year end — ($1,775,630) $2,233,527 ($1,216,563) ($567,259) — Add: Vesting date fair value of awards granted and vested during the covered fiscal year — — $27,281 — — — Add (Deduct): Change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of awards granted in any prior fiscal year for which vesting conditions were satisfied during the covered fiscal year — ($1,863,742) $61,799 $102,647 ($479,175) — (Deduct): Fair value at end of prior fiscal year of awards granted in any prior fiscal year that failed to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the covered fiscal year — — — ($725,020) — — Add: Dividends or other earnings paid on awards in the covered fiscal year prior to vesting if not otherwise included in the SCT Total for the covered fiscal year — — $164,063 — — — CAP Amounts (as calculated) — $3,283,034 $7,717,959 $3,969,021 $10,085,548 — | ||
| Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount | $ 2,658,920 | $ 2,645,862 | $ 1,963,108 |
| Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount | $ 678,130 | 2,741,683 | 2,365,166 |
| Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote [Text Block] | (4) Amounts reflect the average compensation for our non-PEO NEOs, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable fiscal year. (5) Amounts reflect the average CAP to our Non-PEO NEOs, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v). Equity values are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and the valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. As provided in Item 402(v), the adjustments in the table below were made to average the Non-PEO NEO’s total compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table for each year to determine the average compensation actually paid to Non-PEO NEOs for purposes of this disclosure. Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) Total for Non-PEO NEOs 2022 2021 2020 SCT Total $2,658,920 $2,645,862 $1,963,108 Adjustments for stock awards and option awards (Deduct): Aggregate value for stock awards and option awards included in SCT Total for the covered fiscal year ($1,409,909) ($2,171,882) ($992,523) Add: Fair value at year end of awards granted during the covered fiscal year that were outstanding and unvested at the covered fiscal year end $1,122,288 $2,850,802 $841,142 Add (Deduct): Year-over-year change in fair value at covered fiscal year end of awards granted in any prior fiscal year that were outstanding and unvested at the covered fiscal year end ($328,936) ($288,831) $548,649 Add: Vesting date fair value of awards granted and vested during the covered fiscal year $17,368 — $1,472 Add (Deduct): Change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of awards granted in any prior fiscal year for which vesting conditions were satisfied during the covered fiscal year $15,568 ($294,268) ($29,671) (Deduct): Fair value at end of prior fiscal year of awards granted in any prior fiscal year that failed to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the covered fiscal year ($1,397,170) — — Add: Dividends or other earnings paid on awards in the covered fiscal year prior to vesting if not otherwise included in the SCT Total for the covered fiscal year — — $32,991 CAP Amounts (as calculated) $678,130 $2,741,683 $2,365,166 | ||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return [Text Block] | CAP vs. TSR | ||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income [Text Block] | CAP vs. Net Income | ||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] | CAP vs. Adjusted EBITDA * PEO CAP for 2021 reflects the aggregate average 2021 CAP for Messrs. Kelly and Hallett, who each served as a PEO during a portion of 2021. | ||
| Tabular List [Table Text Block] | Financial Performance Measures In accordance with Item 402(v) requirements, we are providing the following unranked list of the financial performance measures that the Company considers to have been most important in linking the CAP to the PEO and Non-PEO NEOs in 2022 as set forth in the table above and Company performance: • Adjusted EBITDA • Operating Adjusted Net Income Per Share • Stock Price | ||
| Total Shareholder Return Amount | $ 61 | 73 | 87 |
| Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount | 118 | 141 | 111 |
| Net Income (Loss) | $ 241,200,000 | $ 66,500,000 | $ 500,000 |
| Company Selected Measure Amount | 231.2 | 434.2 | 375.3 |
| PEO Name | Mr. Kelly | ||
| Measure [Axis]: 1 | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Measure Name | Adjusted EBITDA | ||
| Non-GAAP Measure Description [Text Block] | (9) Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure), as defined on page 36, was selected as the 2022 “Company-Selected Measure” as defined in Item 402(v). | ||
| Measure [Axis]: 2 | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Measure Name | Operating Adjusted Net Income Per Share | ||
| Measure [Axis]: 3 | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Measure Name | Stock Price | ||
| Peter J. Kelly [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| PEO Total Compensation Amount | $ 7,028,222 | $ 8,477,933 | |
| PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | 3,969,021 | 10,085,548 | |
| James P. Hallett [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| PEO Total Compensation Amount | 4,791,562 | $ 5,847,463 | |
| PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | 3,283,034 | 7,717,959 | |
| PEO [Member] | Peter J. Kelly [Member] | Adjustments Of Aggregate Value For Stock Awards And Option Awards Included In Summary Compensation Table Total Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (6,005,505) | (7,500,004) | |
| PEO [Member] | Peter J. Kelly [Member] | Fair Value At Year End Of Awards Granted, Outstanding And Unvested At Covered Fiscal Year [ Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 4,785,239 | 10,154,053 | |
| PEO [Member] | Peter J. Kelly [Member] | Change In Fair Value Of Awards Granted In Any Prior Fiscal Year Outstanding And Unvested At Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (1,216,563) | (567,259) | |
| PEO [Member] | Peter J. Kelly [Member] | Changes In Fair Value Of Awards Granted In Any Prior Fiscal Year Vesting Conditions During Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 102,647 | (479,175) | |
| PEO [Member] | Peter J. Kelly [Member] | Fair Value At End Of Fiscal Year Of Awards Granted In Any Prior Fiscal Year That Failed To Meet Applicable Vesting During Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (725,020) | ||
| PEO [Member] | James P. Hallett [Member] | Adjustments Of Aggregate Value For Stock Awards And Option Awards Included In Summary Compensation Table Total Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (3,750,017) | (3,900,024) | |
| PEO [Member] | James P. Hallett [Member] | Fair Value At Year End Of Awards Granted, Outstanding And Unvested At Covered Fiscal Year [ Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 5,880,862 | 3,283,850 | |
| PEO [Member] | James P. Hallett [Member] | Change In Fair Value Of Awards Granted In Any Prior Fiscal Year Outstanding And Unvested At Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (1,775,630) | 2,233,527 | |
| PEO [Member] | James P. Hallett [Member] | Vesting Date Fair Value Of Awards Granted And vested During Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 27,281 | ||
| PEO [Member] | James P. Hallett [Member] | Changes In Fair Value Of Awards Granted In Any Prior Fiscal Year Vesting Conditions During Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (1,863,742) | 61,799 | |
| PEO [Member] | James P. Hallett [Member] | Dividends Or Other Earnings Paid On Awards [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 164,063 | ||
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Adjustments Of Aggregate Value For Stock Awards And Option Awards Included In Summary Compensation Table Total Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (1,409,909) | (2,171,882) | (992,523) |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Fair Value At Year End Of Awards Granted, Outstanding And Unvested At Covered Fiscal Year [ Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 1,122,288 | 2,850,802 | 841,142 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Change In Fair Value Of Awards Granted In Any Prior Fiscal Year Outstanding And Unvested At Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (328,936) | (288,831) | 548,649 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Vesting Date Fair Value Of Awards Granted And vested During Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 17,368 | 1,472 | |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Changes In Fair Value Of Awards Granted In Any Prior Fiscal Year Vesting Conditions During Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 15,568 | $ (294,268) | (29,671) |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Fair Value At End Of Fiscal Year Of Awards Granted In Any Prior Fiscal Year That Failed To Meet Applicable Vesting During Covered Fiscal Year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | $ (1,397,170) | ||
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Dividends Or Other Earnings Paid On Awards [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | $ 32,991 | ||
