Shipping a Non-Running or Salvage Vehicle
A vehicle that doesn't run, can't be driven, or came from an auction or salvage yard can still be shipped. It just requires different equipment and a bit more upfront disclosure than a standard shipment.
How It Actually Ships
Unlike a running vehicle that drives onto the trailer under its own power, a non-running vehicle needs to be loaded mechanically, using one of a few methods depending on its exact condition:
Winch-equipped trailers
Used if the car can still roll, steer, and brake freely. The driver pulls the vehicle onto an open or enclosed trailer in neutral using a cable winch.
Flatbeds or forklifts
Required if the wheels are locked, tires are flat, or steering is broken, situations where the vehicle genuinely can't be pulled or rolled into position.
The right equipment depends entirely on your vehicle's specific condition, which is exactly why disclosing it accurately upfront matters more here than for a standard shipment.
What It Costs
A non-running vehicle typically carries a surcharge over a comparable running vehicle, generally in the $100 to $500 range depending on the equipment needed and the distance involved. It's a real but usually modest addition to the base shipping cost, not a dramatic one.
What You Need to Disclose
Before booking, be upfront about:
Whether it rolls, steers, and brakes
This single detail determines whether a winch-equipped trailer works or whether flatbed/forklift loading is required.
Missing parts or body damage
Especially anything that could affect how the vehicle is secured during loading and transit.
How it's being picked up
A vehicle at a private residence, an auction, an impound lot, or a storage yard can each come with different access and documentation requirements.
Documentation for Auction and Salvage Vehicles
If you're picking up a vehicle from an auction, storage yard, or impound lot rather than a private residence, you'll generally need proof of ownership, a title or a bill of sale, in addition to the standard pickup paperwork. Salvage-title vehicles ship the same way as any non-running vehicle mechanically; the main difference is making sure the ownership documentation is in order before pickup, since auction and salvage pickups don't always follow the same straightforward process as picking up from someone's driveway.
This is also a common scenario for shipments headed overseas: a real share of vehicles exported to the Gulf are salvage-title or auction-sourced, repaired and resold locally. If that's your situation, check the destination's rules on salvage-title vehicles first, since several Gulf countries refuse them. See our Gulf shipping guide
Who It's Best For
This applies to any vehicle that can't be driven onto a trailer under its own power, whether that's a project car mid-restoration, a vehicle with mechanical failure, a salvage-title purchase, or an auction vehicle of unknown running condition. If your vehicle runs and drives normally, this extra equipment and cost don't apply to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ship a car that doesn't run at all?
Yes. Whether it rolls freely (winch-loaded) or the wheels are locked and it can't move (flatbed or forklift), there's an equipment option that works. The key is disclosing the exact condition so the right equipment is sent.
How much extra does it cost to ship a non-running car?
Generally $100 to $500 above a comparable running vehicle, depending on the equipment needed and distance. It's a real cost increase but usually a modest one relative to the total shipment.
Do I need a title to ship a salvage or auction vehicle?
Yes, proof of ownership, either a title or a bill of sale, is generally required, especially when picking up from an auction, storage yard, or impound lot rather than a private residence.
What if I'm not sure whether my car can be winch-loaded?
Tell us what you know (does it roll, steer, brake) and we'll help determine the right equipment. It's far better to flag uncertainty upfront than to have the wrong truck show up on pickup day.
Shipping a non-running or salvage vehicle?
Get a quote and tell us the vehicle's exact condition so we can arrange the right equipment.