Shipping a Non-Running or Inoperable Vehicle: What to Know

What "Non-Running" Actually Means

In auto transport, a vehicle is "inoperable" or "non-running" when it cannot be driven onto and off the carrier under its own power. That covers a wide range, from a car with a dead battery to a project vehicle with no engine at all. The exact condition matters, because it decides what equipment the carrier needs to load it.

The Questions a Carrier Will Ask

Before we can match your vehicle to the right carrier, we need an honest picture of its condition. Be ready to answer:

• Does it roll? Are all four tires inflated and able to turn freely?
• Does it steer? Can the wheels be turned to guide it onto the trailer?
• Does it brake? Will it stop once it is moving?
• Does it run at all? Will it start and move under its own power, even briefly?

A car that rolls, steers, and brakes is far easier and cheaper to load than one that is completely seized.

Why It Costs More

Non-running vehicles need special equipment, and not every carrier has it. A car that rolls can often be pulled onto the trailer with a winch. One that does not roll may require a forklift or a carrier with a hydraulic liftgate. That specialized equipment, plus the extra loading time, is why inoperable vehicles carry a surcharge and a smaller pool of available carriers.

How to Prepare an Inoperable Vehicle

• Make it roll and steer if at all possible — even airing up flat tires lowers your cost.
• Release the parking brake and confirm it can shift to neutral, or tell us if it cannot.
• Provide keys so the driver can steer and brake during loading.
• Secure or remove loose parts — bumpers, trim, or anything that could fall off during a winch pull.
• Note any leaks so the carrier can position the vehicle appropriately on the trailer.

Document the Condition Carefully

Inoperable vehicles are often projects, salvage, or auction units, so condition is already a sensitive subject. Photograph every panel before pickup and review the Bill of Lading with the driver, exactly as you would for a running car. Our vehicle prep checklist applies here too.

Always Disclose Upfront

The single most important thing you can do is tell us the real condition before booking. A carrier that shows up expecting a running car and finds a seized one cannot load it, which means a wasted trip, a dry-run fee, and a delay. An accurate description gets you the right truck the first time.

Non-running does not mean un-shippable. We move inoperable vehicles every week — the key is matching the right equipment to the real condition, which starts with an honest description.