Vancouver, BC · Guide
Can a Junk Car Be Removed From a Vancouver Parkade?
Possibly, but Jay must check the parkade clearance and the vehicle's condition before he can confirm it. Underground removals are the one job that should never be promised over the phone in thirty seconds.
A flatbed cannot drive into most Vancouver parkades. The vehicle usually has to be brought up to street level first, which means its wheels, steering and brakes decide whether the job is possible.
Call or text Jay · 604-889-4470What Jay needs to know before he says yes
- The posted entrance height
- The height inside the parkade, which is often lower than the entrance
- The parking level the vehicle is on
- The distance from the stall to the exit
- Whether the vehicle rolls
- Whether it steers
- Whether the brakes are seized
- The condition of the tires
- Whether the keys are available
- Photos of the vehicle, the stall, the entrance and the route out
Why clearance is the first question
Downtown and West End buildings frequently post clearances well under seven feet, and ducting, sprinkler lines and ramp transitions can be lower still than the sign at the door.
Recovery equipment needs headroom. A stall that a small hatchback fits into comfortably may not leave room to work around a vehicle that cannot move on its own.
The ramp is the second question
A vehicle with four inflated tires that rolls and steers can usually be pulled up the ramp. Seized brakes, missing wheels or a locked steering column change the plan completely and sometimes make the removal impractical.
Buildings, strata and loading
Many Vancouver buildings want notice before a truck sits in the lane or at the loading door. Ask your building manager what they require, and tell Jay what time windows the building allows.
A real Vancouver example
A West End building had a 1.9 m clearance sign at the ramp, so the flatbed could not go down. Jay winched the car up to street level from the ramp entrance and loaded it at the curb during the building's loading window.
Written by Jay, owner-operator of Jay's Junk Car Towing Inc., from thousands of vehicle removals in Vancouver since 2003.
Questions people ask about this
Can you remove a car from an underground parkade?
Possibly. Parkade removals depend on height clearance, the vehicle's condition and whether it can be moved to a suitable loading area. Jay must review the details and photos before confirming the removal.
Can you remove a car with flat tires or seized brakes?
Often, yes. These vehicles take more preparation and may need to be winched or repositioned. Photos and an accurate description help Jay plan the pickup.
Do I need the keys?
Keys make removal easier but are not always required. Tell Jay before accepting the quote because missing keys can affect steering, loading and access.
Will the price change when Jay arrives?
The quote should remain the same when the vehicle and access match the description. A quote may need to be reviewed before loading if major parts are missing, the vehicle is different from what was described or unexpected access problems are discovered.
In short
Parkade removals are routine when the measurements and the vehicle's condition are known in advance, and a waste of everyone's afternoon when they are not.
Text photos of the vehicle, the stall and the entrance to 604-889-4470 and Jay will tell you whether it can be done.