How to Ship a Non-Running Car

Shipping a non-running car presents a few extra challenges for both you and the car shipping company that you’ll need to address. For starters, if the vehicle isn’t operational, it will involve the use of additional equipment for the company and a higher quote for you, the end customer. Naturally, there’s more than that to it, though, and we cover it all today in our deep dive on how to ship a non-running car.

Shipping Non-Running Cars: What to Know

First, let’s address the most basic question: can you ship a non-running car at all? Yes, you can, but there are some caveats and kinks that you should know about the whole process. We break them down one by one below.

Understanding the Challenges

The main problem with shipping non-running cars is that they require additional handling and equipment since they can’t simply be driven onto and off of the transport trailer. This introduces additional complexity to the shipping process, which, as you might expect, also hikes up the total costs. Due to the various equipment carriers will need to move your car and/or other problems with its conditions, like missing wheels, everything takes longer and requires more expertise.

What kind of equipment do these companies use to ship non-running cars properly? Let’s take a look at that now.

Equipment Needed to Ship a Non-Running Car

Most of the time, car shipping brokers will rely on these tools to load or unload your vehicle:

• Winches are essential for pulling inoperable vehicles onto open trailers.
• Forklifts may be used to lift larger or heavier vehicles or in cases where the vehicle is severely damaged and can’t roll, break, or steer.

You can see how transporting non-running cars incurs additional costs. With a non-running car, it’s not just the driver who has to show up with the trailer; there’s a whole other party that has to operate the special equipment to get your car in position for transportation to even begin and receive payment for it.

Open vs. Enclosed Trailers: Which Is Better for Non-Running Cars?

Open vs. enclosed car shipping is a debate in and of itself. The former will cost you less, while the latter offers more protection during transport. Generally speaking, since the car you’re shipping already isn’t in great condition, you can opt for open car transport and save some money.

However, if you’re shipping a non-running car that’s also really valuable to you, like an old classic or vintage car, splurging extra on an enclosed trailer might be worth it, too.

Best Way to Ship a Non-Running Car

To go through the process as hassle-free as possible, you’ll want to reach out to a trustworthy company that has experience in special car transport, including non-running vehicles. Once you found one, here’s what you should do:

• Be as upfront about your car’s condition as possible. The company will find out sooner or later, and pretending that it’s in a better state than it really is will only lead to problems.

• Choose a door-to-door service. Of course, non-running cars aren’t mobile, so delivering them to a depot won’t do you any good. Also, keep in mind that bulky car transporters can’t fit everywhere, so plan ahead and devise a contingency plan. For example, you could secure the help of a company that can tow your vehicle to its final destination after the truck drops your car off.

• Prepare your vehicle accordingly. To prepare your car for shipping, remove all personal items from the vehicle, secure any loose parts, and document the vehicle’s current condition with photos that you can fall back on in case of the car sustaining further damage in transit.

• Get appropriate insurance. Some companies operate based on different policies when shipping a non-running car—make sure they offer that and, to avoid auto shipping scams, explicitly ask if you’re getting that coverage as part of the service.

• Plan for higher costs. The standard cost to ship a car sadly won’t apply here due to the many difficulties involved. Expect to pay around 30 to 50% more.

The Takeaway

Shipping non-running cars certainly is possible, albeit not without some extra challenges that come with it. By familiarizing yourself with the procedure and understanding what it entail, you’ll be better suited and prepared to take care of all the formalities ahead of time. You also won’t be surprised by the additional costs, equipment needs, or necessary preparations.

You may also read: Auto Shipping Quotes: All You Need to Know

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