Top 5 Reasons to Donate Your Old Car

As we grow and progress through life, our cars do as well. While many vehicles can last as many as 20 years as an individual’s main mode of transportation, but after time the wear and tear starts to take place. Many drivers go to great lengths to take care of their vehicles with regularly recommended maintenance and repairs. However, sometimes it comes to the point where you have to decide on whether to get rid of a car that is no longer safe to drive and buy a new one.



Many drivers have a hard time deciding if it is better to sell their old car or donate it. There are some benefits to donating your old car. Check out the top 5 reasons you should donate your old car to a charity below.

  • Help a charitable organization that you believe in. While that may seem like an obvious choice, you may already be donating to some charities that are near to your heart. If so, it is best to see if they accept old vehicle donations as well.

  • Providing a vehicle for a charitable organization to use. While some drivers may have a vehicle that no longer runs, if you have one that is still running properly but is just old – many charitable organizations can still make use of a running vehicle too. Some can use the vehicle to deliver meals to elderly, take the elderly or disable to doctors’ appointments, or anything else that can benefit the charitable mission.

  • Receive a tax write off that could benefit you during tax time. While there are new requirements for receiving a tax write off for car donations, you can still receive some type of write off. If you are unsure if donating a car for a tax write off is best for you, make sure to visit the IRS website for more details on requirements and factors to keep in mind. 

  • Avoid having to sell the car yourself. Selling your car on your own can be a hassle. You have to deal with listing it on car sites as well as making sure you’re available to meet with potential buyers. When you donate a car, you don’t have to deal with any of those hassles involved. No dealing with phone calls, emails and meeting potential buyers to view the car.

  • Easy free pickup. Most charitable organizations will coordinate picking up the vehicle at your home so you don’t even have to make plans to tow or drive the car to the charitable organization of your choice.


Car Donation Process:What Do I Do Next?



In order to donate a car, you first have to select an organization. Once you have done that, there is normally some type of form you must fill out with the vehicle information such as make, model, and VIN number. You will also need to locate the title to the vehicle as that will be needed at pickup. Once your form has been processed, the organization will then reach out to arrange picking up your old car. The tow away will be free but you will want to make sure you will be home to give all necessary materials to the organization when they come for pickup.


Nationwide Charitable Car Donation Organizations

While there are many location charities near you that probably take car donations, make sure to check out some reputable nationwide charitable organizations that accept car donations as well. Here are a few to check out below.

  • Kars 4 Kids: Kars 4 Kids is a car donation program that was started back in 1994 and works completely in house. Their main priority is making children’s lives better. This includes educational services, youth mentorship and development.

  • Donate a Car 2 Charity: Donate a Car 2 Charity supports Activate Ministries projects that provide scholarships to children of long time volunteers or missionaries. Each car donation makes each scholarship possible. Their vehicle donation is full tax deductible.

  • 800 Charity Cars: 800 Charity Cars has been operating since 1996. There is no middleman and 100% goes to a charity. They accept any vehicle in any condition. Check out their site for more information. 

If you have an old vehicle that you need to get rid of, think about the lives you can impact by choosing to donate it to a charitable organization today!