Moving the Immovable: A Guide to Shipping an Inoperable Vehicle

Whether it’s a vintage project car you just bought, a vehicle involved in an accident, or a family heirloom that hasn’t started in a decade, shipping a non-running (inoperable) car is a bit different than a standard move.

Since the car can’t drive onto the trailer under its own power, it requires specialized equipment, extra labor, and a bit more planning. Here is everything you need to know to get your “non-runner” from point A to point B safely.

What Classifies a Vehicle as “Inoperable”?

In the shipping industry, a car is considered inoperable (or “inop”) if it cannot be driven onto and off the transporter safely. However, there are levels to this:

Rolls, Steers, and Brakes: The car doesn’t start, but the tires hold air, the steering wheel turns, and the brakes work. These are the easiest and cheapest inops to ship.
Does Not Roll/Steer: If the wheels are locked, the axle is broken, or the steering is seized, the job becomes significantly more complex.

How Inoperable Vehicles Are Loaded

Since the driver can’t just hop in and turn the key, they use one of three main methods to get your car onto the truck:

Winched Loading (Most Common): The driver uses a motorized chain or cable (a winch) to slowly pull the car up the ramps onto an open or enclosed trailer.
Forklift Service: For vehicles that don’t roll at all (like a car shell or a salvage vehicle), a forklift may be used to lift the car directly onto a flatbed trailer.
Liftgate Loading: Premium enclosed carriers often have hydraulic liftgates that stay level with the ground, allowing an inoperable car to be rolled onto the platform and lifted up to the trailer height.

The Cost Factor

Expect to pay a surcharge for an inoperable vehicle—typically between $100 and $500, depending on the carrier and the car’s condition.

Why the extra fee? * Specialized Equipment: Not every truck has a winch. Carriers with winches are in higher demand.

Labor & Time: It can take an hour to winch a car safely, compared to five minutes to drive one on.
Safety Risk: Loading a “dead” car requires more precision to prevent it from rolling back or steering off the ramps.

Essential Preparation Checklist

Before the carrier arrives, you need to do a little homework to ensure a smooth pickup:

[ ] Be 100% Honest: When booking, tell the company exactly what’s wrong. If the driver shows up without a winch because they thought it was a runner, they may refuse the load or charge a “dry run” fee.
[ ] Inflate the Tires: If the car can roll, make sure the tires stay inflated. Flat tires make winching significantly harder and more expensive.
[ ] Clear the Path: Ensure the car is in a spot where a large transport truck can get close enough to winch it.
[ ] Secure Loose Parts: Project cars often have loose bumpers, trim, or boxes of parts in the trunk. Secure anything that could rattle or fall off during the vibrations of travel.
[ ] Check for Leaks: Many carriers won’t transport a car that is actively leaking fluids onto the cars parked underneath it. Patch any major leaks or place a drip pan/tarp if allowed.

Ready to get that project car moving? I can help you draft a specific “Vehicle Condition Description” to send to transport companies so you get the most accurate quote possible. Would you like me to do that?