Non-running cars are accepted with free towing. Learn what they are worth, how they are processed, and how the deduction works.
Free pickup nationwide — cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and boats, running or not.
Call 888-579-5544A car with a dead engine still contains a catalytic converter, alloy wheels, an alternator, body panels, glass, a transmission that may be rebuildable, and roughly a ton of recyclable steel. Salvage buyers bid on exactly these components.
That is why free towing is possible for vehicles no dealer would take on trade.
Blown head gasket, seized engine, failed transmission, electrical gremlins, flood or fire damage, collision damage, failed emissions, expired registration on a car that has sat for years, and vehicles with 200,000-plus miles.
All are accepted. Cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and boats qualify.
Tell the coordinator whether the vehicle rolls, steers, and brakes, and whether the tires hold air. A flatbed with a winch handles most cases, including cars that have not moved in a decade.
If the car is on blocks, in a garage with a dead battery, or buried behind other vehicles, mention it when booking.
Most non-running vehicles sell for under or near $500, so the typical claim is fair market value up to $500 using the written acknowledgment. Occasionally a desirable model or a truck with good parts value exceeds that and triggers a Form 1098-C.
Either way, the paperwork is issued after the vehicle is processed.
Ending storage, insurance, ticket, and towing costs on a dead vehicle is often worth more than the deduction itself, and the space in your driveway comes back the same day.
Call 888-579-5544 and describe the vehicle honestly — condition never disqualifies a donation.
Ready to donate and support veterans?
Call 888-579-5544 NowDisclosure: Cars for Veterans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. After operating costs (towing, processing, title transfer, and administration), a portion of the net proceeds from each donated vehicle benefits veteran programs. This article is general information, not tax advice.