Is It Possible to Donate Your Broken Car?

The gifting of used cars to non-profit organizations has become a favorite way for Americans to dispose of unwanted vehicles. And why not? You can avoid the headache of selling or junking the car, help a non-profit organization, and lower your tax burden all at the same time.

However, can you donate a broken car? Can a charity make use of a car with a broken windshield, blown engine, and dents all over? Read on to find out.

What Types of Car Breakdowns are Allowed for Donating?

To donate a car, just find a charitable institution, and they should have a ready process for transferring and selling donated cars. Now that you know how to donate a broken car, you might ask what conditions or car breakdowns are allowable for donations.

Blown Engine

A blown car engine might need to be replaced if it's severely damaged when the majority of parts are affected, including the block, piston rings, intake, and exhaust valves. With all that damage, you might need to rebuild the engine completely. The high repair cost might not be justified, and you might get more value by donating it. Check with the charity or non-profit organization if they have the means to pick up your non-running car.

Frame Damage

While bumpers protect the vehicle during an accident, collisions can still cause significant damage. Bent frames could make your car unstable and unsafe to drive. Repairs are hard and pricey for bent frames, and it could be better to donate or sell your car.

Body Damage

Vehicles can suffer severe body damage from major collisions and high-speed accidents. These can't be fixed with just a new fender or bumper. When there are severe dents or body punctures, insurers might consider your car a total loss if the repair cost exceeds 50% of the vehicle’s value. This is also a candidate for donation or junking.

Flood Damage

Floodwater leads to a lot of different problems that can happen to your vehicle after it becomes submerged. It can wreck the vehicle’s electrical system, its mechanical system and also cause damage to lubricants. Flood-damaged cars are difficult to repair, and it's often more cost-effective to simply dispose of or sell flood-damaged vehicles.

Advantages of Donating a Broken Car

If you have an old clunker or if your vehicle has a major problem that ruins the resale value, you might be better off cutting your losses and donating it to charity. Here are some advantages of donating a car with breakdowns and irreparable damages.

Helping a Chosen Charity

Donating your car or vehicle to charity can be a great way to help local organizations. You have the freedom to choose which non-profit will receive your donation. It could be for charities dedicated to veterans and military service members, or maybe a local college that can use your car as a laboratory learning tool.

You Don’t Have to Worry About Repairs

If your car has a blown engine or suffered water damage, repairs could be in the thousands of dollars. Even if insurance can cover the repairs, the car might not work as smoothly as before and suffer breakdowns. You can donate a wrecked car to save on future repairs and.... 

Get a Tax Deduction

Donating a junk car to charity can net you some tax savings when you declare it a charitable deduction. The total tax write-off would usually depend on the actual amount that the vehicle was sold for. You would then get a receipt from the charity organization, which you can use as documentation for your tax deduction.

You Get Rid of Your Junk Car

Sometimes you just want to take out that junk car that’s sitting in your garage to clear more space. Simply donate a totaled car to a charity, and they will pick it up for free. You get your space back, and you might even get some tax deductions as a bonus.

If Your Car has Some Breakdowns, Consider Selling Your Junk Car to JunkCarsUS

Donating a car with breakdowns or damage can help a charity and give some tax relief. But, this can be a lengthy process, and you don’t really get actual cash. If you sell your non-running or broken-down car to Junkcarsus, you get an instant offer that’s top dollar. We have offices all over the USA but just one customer service phone number to call - (855) 547-1550. 

We include free pick-up, and we even help out with the paperwork. You can then use the money to buy a new vehicle or even donate the cash in full to a charity, non-profit, or church of your choice.

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