Yes, you can ship a car that doesn't run. Carriers call it an inoperable or "inop" vehicle. At Copart and IAA, yard staff load it onto the truck, usually with a forklift. At delivery, the truck needs a winch to roll it off, or the warehouse needs a forklift. It costs more than a running car because fewer trucks are set up for it and loading takes longer. Say the car doesn't run when you book, so the price and the truck are right the first time.
What counts as a non-running car?
For transport, a car is non-running if it can't be driven onto and off the trailer under its own power. That includes a car that won't start, one that starts but won't move, one with no keys that can't be started, and one with a dead battery the driver can't easily jump.
What matters most for loading is not whether the engine starts, but whether the car can roll, steer and brake. A car that rolls freely can be winched. One that can't roll needs lifting.
How is a non-running car loaded and unloaded?
At the auction
Copart and IAA load cars themselves. Yard staff bring the car to the loading area and lift it onto the trailer, usually with a forklift. So for an auction pickup, the hard part is handled at the yard.
At delivery
Getting it off is the harder part. There are two options:
- A winch on the truck. The driver pulls or lowers the car with a cable. This works for a car that rolls and steers.
- A forklift at the destination. Most export warehouses and many body shops have one. If yours does, tell us, because it widens the choice of trucks.
Delivering a non-running car to a home is possible, but only with a winch-equipped truck and a flat, open space for unloading. If the street is narrow, the driver may meet you at a nearby parking lot.
Why does shipping a non-running car cost more?
Three reasons. Fewer carriers have winches, so there are fewer trucks to choose from. Loading and unloading take longer, which costs the driver time on a day with other stops. And an inop car usually has to go in a position on the trailer where it can be winched, which limits how the driver loads the rest of the truck.
How much more depends on the lane. Our calculator prices it from live market data for your route when you tick "The car doesn't run", so you see the real difference rather than a flat surcharge.
Enter the lot number and tick “The car doesn’t run”.
What if the car won't roll, steer or brake?
Tell us before booking. A car with locked wheels, missing wheels, a broken steering rack or no brakes can't be safely winched, so it needs lifting at both ends. That usually means a forklift at delivery, or a different kind of truck. Fire-damaged cars and cars with heavy front-end damage often fall in this group.
A car without wheels can't roll at all. Check the auction photos closely. If wheels are missing, say so when you book.
How do you tell from a Copart or IAA listing whether a car runs?
Both auctions publish a condition note from when the car was checked in, such as Copart's "Run and Drive" or "Engine Start Program", and IAA's run and start labels. These describe what happened at check-in, not on pickup day. Batteries go flat in the yard, and a car that started weeks ago may not start now.
Our advice: if the listing says anything other than run and drive, book it as non-running. If it says run and drive but the photos show heavy damage, mention it.
What happens if a car turns out not to run?
Your quote assumes the car matches what you told us. If it turns out it doesn't run, has no keys, or can't roll, the cost of moving it changes because a different truck is needed. We contact you before making any change, explain what changed and what it costs, and you can accept the new price or cancel. This is in section 4 of our Terms. Booking it as non-running from the start avoids the delay.
Tips for shipping a non-running car
- Book it as non-running whenever you're unsure. It's cheaper than a failed pickup.
- Tell us if the car has no keys, missing wheels, or can't steer or brake.
- Confirm the delivery address has a forklift or space for a winch truck to unload.
- For export, deliver to a warehouse with a forklift. It's the simplest setup, and the car will be lifted into the container there anyway. See exporting a car from the USA.
- Expect pickup to take a little longer, because fewer trucks can take the load. See our storage fee guide for keeping costs down while you wait.
Frequently asked questions
Can you ship a car that doesn't run?
Yes. A car that doesn't run is shipped as an inoperable vehicle. At Copart and IAA the yard loads it onto the truck, usually with a forklift, and at delivery it is unloaded with a winch on the truck or a forklift at the destination.
Does it cost more to ship a non-running car?
Yes. Fewer trucks have winches and loading takes longer, so carriers charge more. The difference depends on the lane. Tick "The car doesn't run" in our calculator to see your exact price.
Who loads a non-running car at Copart or IAA?
The auction does. Copart and IAA staff bring the car to the loading area and load it, usually with a forklift.
Can a non-running car be delivered to my house?
Usually, if the truck has a winch and there is flat, open space to unload. If the street is too narrow, the driver may meet you at a nearby parking lot.
What if I say the car runs and it doesn't?
The cost of moving it changes. We contact you before any price change, explain what changed and what it costs, and you can accept the new price or cancel.
Does "Run and Drive" on Copart mean the car will start at pickup?
Not necessarily. The label describes the car at check-in. Batteries go flat in the yard, so a car can be listed as Run and Drive and still not start on pickup day.