Vancouver, BC · Guide
How to Remove a Non-Running Car in Vancouver
A non-running car is removed by winching it onto a flatbed, so the engine never needs to start. Most of the vehicles Jay removes in Vancouver have not run in months or years.
What matters is not whether it starts. It is whether it rolls, whether it steers, and whether there is room to pull it out.
Call or text Jay · 604-889-4470The 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.
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.
A real Vancouver example
An East Vancouver car had not moved in seven years. Flat tires, seized brakes, no keys — Jay used skates and the winch to get it out of the side yard and onto the deck.
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 that does not run?
Yes. Jay regularly removes vehicles with dead batteries, failed engines, damaged transmissions and other mechanical problems. Tell Jay whether the vehicle rolls, steers and has working tires so he can bring the correct equipment.
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.
Is junk car towing free in Vancouver?
Towing is free when it is included in Jay's agreed quote. The vehicle's location, completeness and access must be described accurately. Missing major parts or unexpected recovery problems should be discussed before pickup.
In short
Non-running vehicles are the core of this business, not an exception to it.
Tell Jay whether it rolls, steers and holds air, and he will arrive with the right equipment the first time.