Inoperable Vehicle Shipping

Not every vehicle that needs shipping can start, steer, or roll. Whether your car has a dead engine, transmission failure, flat tires, collision damage, or is a project car that hasn't run in years, Quote Auto Ship has the equipment and expertise to move it safely. Our inoperable vehicle shipping service handles non-running, non-steering, and non-rolling vehicles with the specialized equipment these situations demand.

Shipping an inoperable vehicle is more complex than standard auto transport, but it shouldn't be complicated for you. When you tell us your vehicle's condition, we match it with carriers equipped to handle the specific situation — whether that means a winch, a forklift, or simply a driver experienced with push-loading techniques.

Equipment and Loading Methods

For vehicles that roll but don't start, our drivers can push-load or use a winch to pull the vehicle onto the carrier. This is the most common inoperable scenario and adds minimal cost to your shipment. For vehicles that don't roll at all (locked brakes, missing wheels, severe frame damage), we use either a cable winch system or arrange forklift loading at origin — the method depends on the vehicle's specific condition and the loading location.

It's important to be upfront about your vehicle's exact condition when requesting a quote. Can it steer? Do the wheels roll freely? Is the vehicle sitting on the ground or on blocks? Are all four tires present and inflated? These details determine what equipment the carrier needs to bring, and discovering a non-rolling vehicle at pickup when a rolling vehicle was quoted causes delays and additional charges.

Common Inoperable Shipping Scenarios

We regularly ship: collision-damaged vehicles going to body shops or insurance yards, project cars purchased online that need to reach a new owner's garage, inherited vehicles that haven't run in years, flood or storm-damaged vehicles, vehicles with mechanical failures being transported to specialty mechanics, and salvage vehicles heading to rebuild shops.

Whatever your vehicle's condition, Quote Auto Ship can move it. Be honest about the condition, and we'll give you an honest quote. Call 1-833-848-4600 to discuss your inoperable vehicle shipment.