A dead battery, a blown engine, a project car that's mid-restoration – a car that doesn't run can still be shipped. It just needs the right equipment and a broker who knows to ask. Here's what changes when the car can't drive itself.
The key difference: the winch
Standard loading means driving the car onto the trailer under its own power. A non-running car has to be winched or rolled on, which takes a carrier with a winch-equipped trailer and a driver set up for it. Not every carrier is – which is why "it doesn't run" is the one thing you should always say upfront when getting a quote.
What counts as "inoperable"
It doesn't have to be a total loss. Common inop shipments include:
- Cars with dead batteries or electrical problems
- Engine or transmission failures
- Project and restoration cars
- Accident-damaged vehicles (as long as they roll, steer, and brake – more on that below)
- Cars that have been sitting for months or years
Roll, steer, brake
The magic words are roll, steer, and brake. If the car rolls freely, steers, and can be stopped, most winch-equipped carriers can handle it. If wheels are locked, the steering is seized, or the car is a shell, it needs specialized equipment – still possible, but a smaller pool of carriers and a higher price. Be exact about the car's condition when you book; the difference between "doesn't start" and "doesn't roll" changes the equipment needed.
What it costs and why
Inoperable shipping costs more than standard transport. The reasons are practical: winch loading takes longer, fewer carriers are equipped for it, and the driver takes on extra work at both ends. An honest broker prices this in from the start – a quote that treats your non-runner like a running car is a quote that falls apart on pickup day.
How to avoid pickup-day disasters
- Say it's inoperable when you request the quote, not when the truck arrives.
- Describe exactly what works: rolls? steers? brakes? tires hold air?
- Mention anything unusual: missing keys, seized hood, car stuck in park.
- Make sure there's access – a car wedged in a tight garage spot may need to be pushed out before the carrier can reach it.
HIYAAKS Inc arranges transport for running and non-running vehicles alike. Nothing is charged before pickup – a flat $150 deposit is collected by credit card once the carrier picks up your vehicle, and the balance is due at delivery. Get your free quote at hiyaaksincautoshipper.com.