Quick answer: Yes, you can ship a car that does not run. Tell the company it is inoperable when you book, so they send a carrier with a winch. If the car rolls, steers and brakes, it can be winched onto a standard trailer; if it cannot roll, it may need a forklift or a flatbed. Inoperable car shipping costs more than shipping a running car, and the extra is shown on your free quote.
A car does not have to start to be worth moving. You may have bought a project car at an auction, inherited a car that has sat in a garage for years, or had the engine fail just before a move. Whatever the reason, shipping a non-running car is routine. It needs the right equipment, an honest description of the car and a carrier that handles inoperable vehicles. This guide covers how it works, what changes compared with a running car, how to prepare, and whether you need insurance on the car.
Can You Ship a Car That Does Not Run?
Yes. Carriers move inoperable vehicles every day, using winches, forklifts and low-angle ramps to load them. The one thing you must do is tell the shipping company about the car’s condition up front, so they can send a truck with the right equipment. A driver who arrives expecting a running car may not be able to load one that will not start.
What Counts as a Non-Running or Inoperable Vehicle?
In car shipping, “inoperable” covers more than a dead engine. Your vehicle counts as non-running if it:
- Does not start, or cannot drive onto the trailer under its own power
- Starts but cannot brake or steer safely
- Has flat tires, missing wheels or suspension damage
- Has collision damage that stops it rolling normally
- Is a stripped project car, salvage vehicle or barn find missing key parts
Carriers ask three questions: does it roll, does it steer, and does it brake? Your answers decide how the car is loaded. A car that rolls and steers can be winched onto a trailer quite easily. One with seized wheels or no steering needs more equipment and more time.
Running vs Non-Running Car Shipping
| Running car | Non-running car | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is loaded | Driven up the ramps | Pulled on with a winch; a forklift or flatbed if it cannot roll |
| Which trucks can take it | Almost any car carrier | Only carriers with a winch or other loading equipment |
| Cost | Standard rate for the route | Higher, to cover the equipment and extra time; shown on your quote |
| Pickup time | Usually 1 to 5 business days | Can take a day or two longer to find an equipped truck |
| Transit time | Set by distance | The same as a running car once loaded |
| What to tell the company | Make, model and route | Whether it rolls, steers and brakes, plus keys, wheels and tires |
How Non-Running Car Shipping Works, Step by Step
- Request a quote and describe the condition. Say exactly what is wrong when you request a quote, and whether the car rolls, steers and brakes. Accurate details mean an accurate price and the right truck on pickup day.
- Get matched with an equipped carrier. Not every truck can take an inoperable vehicle. Your car is assigned to a carrier with a winch, and sometimes a forklift, so it can be pulled or lifted on safely.
- Pickup and loading. The driver inspects the car, records its condition on the bill of lading and loads it with the winch or other equipment. You, or someone you name, should be there to check and sign the inspection report.
- Transport. Once secured, the car travels like any other. Transit time depends mainly on distance; see our car shipping transit time guide.
- Delivery and inspection. The driver unloads the car with the same equipment, and you compare it with the pickup report before you sign.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Non-Running Car?
More than the same car in running condition. The extra covers the winch or forklift, the longer loading time and the smaller number of trucks that can take it. How much more depends on how hard the car is to load: one that rolls and steers costs less to move than one that needs a forklift. Your quote shows the full price.
Beyond that, the price depends on the same things as any car shipment:
- Distance and route. Longer trips cost more in total but less per mile, and busy routes cost less than remote ones.
- Vehicle size and weight. Large trucks and SUVs take more space and need a winch rated for their weight.
- Open or enclosed. Open transport is the standard; enclosed usually costs 40 to 60 percent more.
- Season and flexibility. A flexible pickup window usually gets a better rate.
For typical prices by distance, see our car shipping cost guide.
Open or Enclosed Transport for an Inoperable Car?
Most non-running cars ship on open carriers, which are cheaper and easier to book. If the car is a classic, a collector car waiting for restoration or anything valuable, enclosed auto transport protects it from weather and road debris. Many enclosed trailers also have liftgates, which can help with some cars that cannot be driven. Our comparison of open and enclosed car carriers explains the trade-offs.
How to Prepare a Non-Running Car for Shipping
- Confirm the condition again. Before pickup day, tell the dispatcher again whether the car rolls, steers and brakes. A surprise at pickup can mean a rescheduled pickup and extra charges.
- Photograph the car. Take clear, dated photos of every side, the interior and any existing damage.
- Remove personal items. They are not covered by the carrier’s insurance. See what you can leave in your car.
- Check for leaks. A heavy fluid leak can stop a car being accepted. Fix or drain what you can and tell the carrier about anything left.
- Inflate the tires if you can. A car that rolls freely is much quicker to winch on.
- Hand over every key. Even a non-running car may need the steering unlocked or the transmission in neutral.
- Clear space for the truck. The driver needs room to position the trailer and run the winch. If your street is narrow, agree on a nearby pickup spot in advance.
Can You Ship a Car Without Insurance?
In most cases, yes. When a car is shipped, it is not being driven on the road, so you do not need your own auto policy for the carrier to move it. That is common with auction cars, project cars and cars that have been off the road for years. While the car is in the carrier’s care, it is covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance for damage the carrier causes.
There are limits. Cargo insurance may not cover events outside the carrier’s control, and items left in the car are not covered at all. If the car is valuable, ask your insurer about a comprehensive-only or storage policy that covers it while it is off the road. Driving or towing an uninsured car yourself on public roads is a different matter, and most states require insurance for that. Our guide to car shipping insurance explains who pays for what.
Shipping a Non-Running Truck, SUV or Motorcycle
Trucks and Large SUVs
A pickup or large SUV that does not run can be shipped the same way, but it needs a winch rated for its weight and may need a flatbed if it is very heavy or lifted. Give the company the exact make, model and any modifications, so the right truck is sent.
Motorcycles
A non-running motorcycle can be shipped too. It needs to roll, or be carried, so it can be pushed or winched onto the trailer and strapped upright. Tell the company it does not run, and whether the wheels turn and the steering moves. Our motorcycle shipping page explains how bikes are moved.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Hiding the condition. If the driver expects a running car and finds one that will not start, the pickup may be delayed or repriced on the spot.
- Choosing on price alone. A very low quote may come from a company that has not checked the truck has a winch, which can mean a failed pickup.
- Skipping the insurance check. Ask for the carrier’s certificate of insurance and check the per-vehicle limit against the car’s value.
- Forgetting the keys. Without keys, the steering may lock and the car may not shift into neutral.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ship a non-running car?
Yes. Tell the company when you book. A car that rolls, steers and brakes is winched onto a standard trailer; one that cannot roll may need a forklift or flatbed.
Does it cost more to ship a non-running car?
Yes. The extra covers the winch or forklift, the longer loading time and the smaller pool of equipped trucks. The amount depends on how hard the car is to load and is shown on your quote.
Can I ship a car without insurance?
In most cases, yes. The car is not being driven, so your own policy is not needed for it to be shipped, and the carrier’s cargo insurance covers damage the carrier causes. Consider a storage or comprehensive policy for a valuable car.
Can you ship a non-running motorcycle?
Yes, if it can be rolled or carried onto the trailer. Tell the company it does not run and whether the wheels and steering move.
Can I ship a truck that does not run?
Yes. It needs a winch rated for its weight, and a very heavy or lifted truck may need a flatbed. Give the exact make and model when you book.
How is a non-running car loaded onto the truck?
Usually with a winch, a motorized cable that pulls the car up the ramps onto the trailer. A car that cannot roll at all may need a forklift, which should be arranged when you book.
Can I ship a car with no keys?
Often, yes, but tell the company in advance. Without keys, the driver needs the steering unlocked and the car in neutral, or extra equipment to move it, which can add to the cost.
How long does it take to ship an inoperable car?
Transit time is the same as for a running car: usually 1 to 3 days for nearby states and 7 to 10 days coast to coast. Finding an equipped truck can add a day or two to pickup.
Ship Your Non-Running Car With ABC Auto Shipping
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker that matches your car with an insured carrier that has the right loading equipment. Tell us whether it rolls, steers and brakes, and we will price it accurately from the start. Get a free quote today. There is no deposit to book.
