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Shipping a non-running car

shipping a non-running car

Shipping a non-running car

What is a non-running vehicle?

A non-running, or inoperable vehicle, is a term used in the auto transport industry for any vehicle that can not be driven on and off the car carrier safely on its own power.

You may know already that the primary method of loading and unloading vehicles is driving them on and off the carrier trailer. A vehicle is considered inoperable when it does not start and can not be moved under its own power, hence it can not be loaded or unloaded by driving it.

  1. We consider a car inoperable if there is no key and we can not start it.
  2. A vehicle that starts but has flat tires is also considered a non-running.
  3. A vehicle that starts, has good tires, but no brakes, is also labeled inoperable.

As you can see, the definition of a non-running vehicle is much broader than you might have thought.

A car with a dead battery usually would be considered inoperable as well. However, transporters often carry a set of jumper cables for occasional jump starts. If the car fails to start regardless, or jumper cables are not immediately available, your vehicle will be labeled inoperable, which means the price to ship it goes up.

Before you ship an inoperable car

It often makes sense to fix the car, if possible before shipping it, as this will reduce the cost of transportation.

  • If you don’t have a key to start the car – order a copy.
  • If the only issue is a dead battery, look into replacing it. The cost of a new battery runs between $50 and $200.
  • Flat tires are always better to be fixed or changed; getting a new set of wheels for your car is always good, anyway.

Depending on what classifies your vehicle as inoperable it may be cheaper and faster to transport it if you can get in a driving condition. If repair before shipping is not feasible, then you’ll have to go through with shipping a non-running car. Keep in mind that not all carriers carry equipment necessary to transport non-running vehicles.

The price to haul an inoperable vehicle is always higher.

If a car does not start due to mechanical problems the carrier will use a winch to load it. It doesn’t come standard on transport trucks, which makes is an extra that not all drivers use. The winch is always handy, but it must be installed professionally and the driver trained to use it. This is one facet of why the shipping of a car that does not start is more expensive.

If the car does not start at all and does not roll and steer, hauling it will be even more expensive because then the auto transport company will need a fork lift to load it onto the carrier.

When a carrier has to pick up a car from a salvage auction, a forklift is usually available. But an adequate size forklift will also be necessary to unload a vehicle at delivery. Therefore, it’s important you relay the information on the vehicle’s condition to your auto hauler.

So, you see now – additional equipment and driver skills – it all comes at a price. For successful vehicle transport, it is essential to have access to the right equipment and knowledgeable people. Also, keep in mind that many companies would not want to ship a non-running vehicle which makes it harder to find a carrier. One more reason for a higher cost.

Cost to ship a non-running car

We are sure it is clear by now that the vehicle’s condition will affect the cost to ship a car due to additional time, labor and equipment. Still, that is not the only factor that determines what your total will be. The cost will also depend on the distance your car will travel, pick up and delivery locations, vehicle make and model, type of carrier (open or enclosed), and last but not least – supply and demand.

Think twice before you settle for the lowest quote. An unusually low price often means longer times for a car carrier to accept your vehicle. Carriers look to make the most money from every shipment; therefore, higher paying loads usually ship first. If you are in a hurry, think carefully before you settle on the lowest quote. Some people also think that by withholding information about a vehicle’s condition will help to keep the car shipping cost down. Wrong. It is critical for an auto transporter to have the right information on the operability of your vehicle.

Do not hold back any information. Issues may arise if the driver comes to pick up your vehicle unprepared (without proper equipment). Besides dealing with an upset driver, you may face delays, a dry run fee, and possible order cancellation.

If you search online, look beyond the first page of Google. And do not get discouraged when you see that there are hundreds of companies out there. Make sure to check the business is licensed with USDOT and FMCSA and has adequate insurance.  Read customer reviews and call the company to talk to them for more peace of mind. Browse our website to learn more about the auto transport process.

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Simon Moore
Great company
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Looking for a logistics company, to ship my car, from California to Illinois,my first search, then Corsia showed up, skeptical. Call and a very friendly secretary: Elena. She guided me through, I scheduled and as she explained, all when smooth as scheduled Very happy I did the right choice. I'll recommend this great Company to anyone that is thinking to relocate a vehicle. Thanks Corsia logistics for your honesty and professionalism!
Elizabeth Woodward
High five's all around!
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Corsia was highly recommended by a friend in the automobile industry. We needed to transport a cargo van from Seattle to Florida. We contacted Corsia who quickly arranged transport within just a few days. Communication was outstanding! Just a few email confirmations and we were all set. Mike was great and arrived right on time and delivered to Florida on schedule. Tip-avoid the hornets nest of auto brokers on line and just contact Corsia for a truly great experience!
Carrol Tiffany
Amazing
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Corsia has been amazing. Their prices are really competitive but more importantly their customer service has been 5-Star. Elena followed up with me every step of the way, making sure there was no miscommunication between me & the driver. We are using them to ship a 2nd vehicle & would not hesitate to use them again!
Tony Boyd
Definitely recommend
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I have recently used Corsia for long time family car with sentimental value that was moved I have recently used Corsia for shipment of my vehicle from Oregon to Arizona by recommendation from other family member who also used Corsia in the past. I am very pleased on the service and the communication throughout shipment. Ken was my direct contact and kept me informed along the move The car was picked up and delivered as communicated. I did use a enclosed mover and the driver was also clean cut professional and treated car as his own. I would definitely recommend Corsia again with the experience I have had. Thank you. T
JW
Top notch
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Top notch Transport - Porsche 997 Top notch! As easy and efficient as one could possibly imagine. Great customer service.. thank you Luke. Great prices. Check. Timely communications. Check. Clean transport trailer. Check. Supremely careful driver. Check. Timely arrival. Check. Don't mess around elsewhere, just call Corsica and feel confident your transports needs are going to be exceeded. My Porsche 911 rode like a Queen in her enclosed chariot. I've never needed a transport company before, and I surely will use them every time. Do yourself a favor, seriously. Call now.
Geet Mp Haryana
Reliable, efficient
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Corsia rep (Elena) was very proactive. Helped ship a car from CA to GA. She checked in with me via email quote and several phone calls to find me the best possible quote for the fastest available service. After several communications, Corsia was able to schedule a vehicle pickup the next day. The driver communicated well, and the vehicle arrived in final destination faster than we expected in perfect condition. I highly recommend using Corsia's reliable, efficient service.
Cay Liptak
Clean, efficient, wonderful
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Thanks, Corsia! Pickup was so clean, efficient, and wonderful -- my only recommendation is to make sure you schedule it during the day so you can fully review the car in the daylight. Drop off was equally wonderful, and the whole trip went down without a hitch (pun intended!). Seriously, Corsia delivered my Jeep from CT to California with no issues or bumps in the road!
Csaba Kovesdy
Truly positive experience
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Corsia Memphis to LA, mid-size SUV. I looked at 4 different companies amd Corsia was the most responsive of them. While being responsive, they were not unduly aggressive: when I indicated that I need to wait a month before making a decision they stopped contacting me and only came back with a reminder when I really needed it. Once I decided to engage Corsia they found me a transport within two days and the car was delivered (from Memphis to LA) in another two days. I had a truly positive experience.
Kelly Torres
Highly recommend
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Working with Corsia Logistics was a great experience. Working with Corsia Logistics was wonderful. They were able to find a driver right away to transport our car. They were in constant communication as to when the car was getting picked up and dropped off. The driver also communicated with me as to when he would arrive. I would highly recommend Corsia Logistics.
Amy Nelson
Excellent Organization
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Corsia was an excellent company to work with while I transferred my car across the US. A friend of mine suggested I use them as they had been very organized and trustworthy with her own car. I researched a few different place but decided to go with Corsia and I'm so glad I did! Any questions I had throughout the process they answered quickly and clearly. I would definitely use them again in the future and recommend them for others to use.
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