How to Remove a Non-Running Car in Vancouver

The three questions that decide the job

• Does it roll? Free wheels can be winched. Locked ones need extra equipment.
• Does it steer? A locked column limits how the vehicle can be lined up.
• Do the tires hold air? Flat or missing tires slow the pull and can mark a driveway.

Cars that have been sitting for years

Long-parked vehicles come with their own quirks: rusted brake drums, seized calipers, a flat spot in every tire, moss in the window seals, sometimes a wasp nest under the hood. None of that is unusual and none of it is a reason to refuse the job.

Mold-damaged interiors are a good reason not to drive a car anywhere. Towing it is the sensible option.

How long is too long for a car to sit without being driven?

A car can start developing problems after just a few weeks without being driven, although the amount of deterioration depends on how it's stored and maintained.

Batteries can discharge, tires can develop flat spots and moisture can cause rust on brake components. After several months, old fuel, sticking brakes, rodents and water leaks can become concerns. Cars left outside for years may require significant inspection and repairs before they're safe to drive again.

Vancouver's wet weather can make long-term outdoor storage particularly hard on older vehicles. A car that was running when it was parked isn't necessarily ready to drive after sitting for a year or two.

If the cost of getting it safely back on the road no longer makes sense, having the vehicle assessed for recycling is another option.

My car has been sitting so long there's mould inside. Can it still be recycled?

Yes. A vehicle with mould inside may still be suitable for removal and recycling, even if the carpets, seats and upholstery have deteriorated.

Water leaking through old door seals, damaged windows or sunroofs can leave an unused vehicle damp for months. Over time, mould can spread through the interior and create unpleasant odours.

There is usually no reason to spend money restoring a badly deteriorated interior if the vehicle is being sold for recycling. Let the removal company know about the mould before pickup so appropriate precautions can be taken.

Avoid disturbing heavily mould-contaminated materials unnecessarily.

I see rats running around my car that's been sitting. What could have happened?

Rats may have started nesting in or around a car that's been parked for a long time. Engine compartments, air filter housings and sheltered spaces inside the vehicle can provide places for rodents to hide.

They may chew electrical wiring, damage insulation, carry nesting materials into the engine compartment and contaminate the interior with droppings or urine.

If you've noticed rats around an unused car, avoid starting it until it's been checked for nests and damaged wiring. Don't sweep or vacuum dry rodent droppings, as contaminated dust can be hazardous.

A vehicle with rodent damage can still be assessed for removal and recycling without first repairing the wiring or getting the engine running.

Can squirrels or other animals be living in my car after it's been sitting?

Yes. Squirrels, rats, mice and other small animals sometimes make nests inside vehicles that have been sitting unused.

Jay once picked up an unwanted car and towed it back to the yard. When he arrived, he discovered baby squirrels still inside the vehicle.

Rather than continuing with the recycling process, he loaded the car back onto the truck and returned to the house where he'd picked it up.

The mother squirrel was still there, running around the property looking for her babies.

Jay unloaded the car, opened the hood and stepped back. When the mother saw the car, she came over and began carrying her babies out, one by one.

He waited until she had removed every baby before loading the car again and returning to the yard.

It's one of those pickups you don't forget. Sometimes removing an old car isn't just about getting it onto the truck. It's also about paying attention to what might be living inside it.

If you've noticed animals around a vehicle that's been sitting for months or years, mention it before pickup so the situation can be checked safely.

Accident-damaged and mechanically failed vehicles

Blown engines, failed transmissions, collision damage and vehicles that were parked after a repair estimate arrived are ordinary work. Describe what happened and Jay will plan around it.

Photos help more than adjectives

One photo of the vehicle and one of the space it sits in usually answers more questions than five minutes of description. Text them to 604-889-4470.