Inoperable Vehicle Shipping: Door-to-Door for Cars That Don't Run
Won't start or no key? We match your vehicle with a winch-equipped carrier. The winch fee is simple: about $125 on top of your regular rate.
Can You Ship a Car That Doesn't Run?
Yes. Inoperable vehicle shipping is the same door-to-door service as standard auto transport, with one difference: because the car can't be driven onto the trailer, the carrier loads it with a winch. Only some carriers are equipped to do that, so we match your vehicle with one that is, instead of leaving you to call around.
A vehicle counts as inoperable when it can't be driven onto and off the carrier under its own power. That includes a car that won't start or has no key. Project cars, auction and salvage purchases, vehicles waiting on repairs, and cars that broke down far from home are all common.
You can ship a non-running car on an open carrier, and many open carriers are equipped with winches and rollback ramps. If your vehicle is a classic or high-value project and you want it covered in transit, ask a specialist about enclosed transport.
What Does It Cost to Ship a Non-Running Car?
Winch loading: about $125
Loading a non-running vehicle with a winch typically adds about $125 to your regular transport rate. That is on top of the price for your route, not instead of it.
Your regular rate depends on distance, vehicle size, route demand and time of year. A quick call gets you a real, current-market price for your vehicle and route, and your specialist will confirm exactly what applies to your car.
No Wheels, or the Car Can't Roll? Plan for a Forklift
A winch can only pull a vehicle that rolls. If your vehicle has no wheels or can't roll, it has to be loaded onto the carrier and unloaded again with a forklift.
You are responsible for arranging a forklift, at pickup to load the vehicle and at delivery to unload it. Any available forklift will do. Without one, we can't send a carrier to pick it up.
Tell your specialist about it when you call, and we'll walk you through what's needed at pickup and delivery so the carrier doesn't make a wasted trip.
What You Get
Winch-Equipped Carriers
We match your car with a carrier that can load a vehicle that won't move on its own.
A Clear Winch Fee
About $125 added to your regular rate, with no mystery line items.
Door-to-Door Pickup
From your home, a dealership, a repair shop or an auction, to your destination.
Nationwide Network
Active lanes in all 50 states mean faster carrier assignment.
Shipping a Non-Running Car, Step by Step
Tell Us About the Vehicle
Call now or leave your number. Tell the specialist that it doesn't run, what's wrong, and whether the wheels roll.
We Assign a Winch Carrier
A vetted, FMCSA-licensed carrier equipped to load your vehicle is booked on your route.
Track to Delivery
Get updates in transit, then a final inspection at drop-off.
Tell Us Before Pickup
The more accurately we know your vehicle's condition, the more accurate your price and carrier match will be. Mention anything on this list when you call:
- Whether the engine starts
- Whether you have a key
- Flat tires or missing wheels, and whether the car rolls freely (if it can't roll, you'll need a forklift, see above)
- Body or underbody damage, or anything hanging loose
- Very low ground clearance
- Where it's parked (home, repair shop, dealership, auction lot, tow yard)
Shipping for a dealership or buying at auction? We handle inoperable units for dealers and auction buyers. See our guides on auction car transport and dealer auto transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Loading a non-running vehicle with a winch typically adds about $125 to the regular transport rate. The regular rate depends on distance, vehicle size, route demand and time of year. Call now or request a callback for an exact price on your vehicle and route.
Any vehicle that cannot be driven onto and off the carrier under its own power. That includes cars that won't start or have no key. If you're not sure whether yours qualifies, describe it to a specialist and we'll tell you.
Yes. Many open carriers are equipped with winches and rollback ramps for vehicles that can't move under their own power. Learn more about open transport →
A winch can only pull a vehicle that rolls. If your car has no wheels or can't roll, it has to be loaded and unloaded with a forklift. You are responsible for arranging a forklift, at pickup to load it and at delivery to unload it. Any available forklift will do. Without one, we can't send a carrier. Tell your specialist when you call so we can plan around it.
Yes. Telling us up front lets us assign a carrier equipped to load it and give you an accurate price. Mention anything unusual, such as a missing key, missing wheels, a car that can't roll, damage or very low ground clearance.
Yes. We ship inoperable units for dealers and auction buyers, including pickups from major auctions. Call or request a callback to arrange it.
Get Your Inoperable Vehicle Price Now
Call now, or leave your number and we'll call you back.