Broken & non-running
Sell a non-runner
Blown head gasket, dead gearbox, timing belt gone, seized brakes after a year on the drive, or simply a car that turned over one morning and never started again. A non-runner is the most normal thing we collect. Tell us what it does and does not do and we bring the right truck.
- We winch it
- Our slide-bed truck loads cars that will not start, steer or roll. Seized wheels are not a problem.
- No keys? Still fine
- Tell us in advance. We can move a car without keys as long as you can prove it is yours.
- Priced fairly
- A non-runner is worth slightly less than a driver because recovery takes longer — a small difference, shown on your quote.
- Awkward spots handled
- Tight drives, garages, underground car parks, grass. Tell us and we plan for it.
What counts as a non-runner
Anything that cannot be driven onto our truck under its own power: engine failure, gearbox or clutch failure, electrical faults, flat or missing battery, seized brakes or bearings, flat tyres, no keys, or a car that has simply not been started in years and you would rather not try. If it moves but you would not trust it to the end of the street, treat it as a non-runner and we will plan for that.
Tell us about access
The one thing that makes a non-runner collection go smoothly is knowing where the car is and what is in the way. Is it on a drive, the street, in a garage? Facing in or out? Is there a wall, a gate, a steep slope, a kerb? Add it in the notes when you book. We have collected from underground car parks, back gardens and fields; it just needs the right truck on the day.
Common faults, honest answers
On a car under about eight years old, a single big fault — clutch, turbo, injectors — may still be worth fixing or selling as salvage. On an older car, a head gasket or gearbox job generally costs more than the car is worth and scrap is the sensible end. If you are not sure, get our price; it is free and it gives you a real number to weigh against the garage’s quote.
Common questions
How much less is a non-runner worth?
A little, not a lot. The scrap value is the metal and the parts, and those do not change because the engine will not fire. The deduction covers the extra time to winch and load, and it is shown as its own line on your quote.
What if the engine or gearbox has been taken out?
We still buy it. A car without an engine weighs less and is worth less, and we ask on the quote form so the price is right before the driver arrives. Tell us what is missing and the price adjusts in front of you.
The car is in a garage and the wheels are seized — can you get it out?
Usually, yes. The truck winch can pull a car with locked wheels onto skates or a bed, as long as there is a clear run to the road. Send us a photo of the access if you are unsure.
Can I sell a car I cannot find the keys for?
Yes. The V5C in your name plus photo ID and proof of address is enough. The car may be worth slightly less because the steering lock makes it harder to move.