June 4, 2022

Car Shipping Damaged, Salvaged, or Inoperable Vehicles in Canada

Figuring out how to transport a functioning vehicle in Canada is relatively straightforward, but what happens if the car can’t be driven?

There are many reasons you may need to ship a severely damaged or inoperable car. Individuals and dealers often buy these vehicles from auctions, either looking to fix them up for a profit or to score a great deal on a pricey ride they may otherwise not be able to afford. Or maybe you’re already in possession of a non-drivable vehicle and are moving.

Transport services for a car that can’t be driven onto a carrier present several logistical challenges. To avoid getting burned, you need to ensure you have secure car transport services equipped to handle damaged, salvaged, or inoperable vehicles.

Getting a Damaged Car Ready for Shipping in Canada

If you are in the market to salvage a damaged vehicle from an auto auction and need car transport services, your shipper will need to know the vehicle’s condition before they arrive to haul it away. Many car shipping companies can’t or won’t transport cars that can’t be driven, either because they lack the equipment or don’t want the hassle.

Don’t leave car shipping to chance; make sure you’ve lined up transport services that can accommodate your needs by giving the transport service all the information they need.

1. Assess the Vehicle Condition

Can your car roll, steer, and brake? If it can, you’re in luck; salvaged car shipping in Canada is much less complicated when a damaged vehicle is operable. But what happens if your ride can’t do one or more of these things?

If the car you’re shipping can’t break, steer, or roll, it will need to be forklifted onto the carrier. Equipment is often available onsite for cars purchased from an auto auction to help with loading. But if you are moving a damaged vehicle from another location, you may need to communicate with the shipper to determine what equipment will be required to load your car.

2. Secure Loose Parts

Your car transport carrier is not responsible for making sure the damaged car you’ve purchased is safe to transport – that’s your job. While most cars sold at auction will have been through the process before, it’s up to you to make sure the vehicle is safe to transport. This means no loose parts, leaking fluids, or undisclosed damage that may affect shipping.

3. Provide Details About the Shipping Destination

If you need assistance loading your salvaged ride from the departing point, you’ll likely also need assistance for it to be removed from the truck at its destination. Your car shipping company will need details about where they are delivering the damaged car.

Leaving a garage or auction house may not have been an issue, but arrangements may need to be made to remove the car from the carrier, depending on the drop-off location. A repair shop might have the tools necessary; a residential garage probably won’t.