How to Donate a Car That Doesn’t Run to Samaritan Car Care Clinic
The Car Doesn’t Run. You Still Have Options.
A non-running vehicle is one of those problems that feels bigger than it is. You can’t drive it away. You can’t easily list it. The junkyard offer is insultingly low. And every month it sits there, you’re still paying registration and insurance on something that doesn’t move.
Here’s what most people don’t know: Samaritan Car Care Clinic accepts non-running vehicles. And donating it is the simplest, fastest, and most meaningful way to get it out of your driveway.
What ‘Doesn’t Run’ Means to Us
SCCC accepts vehicles in a wide range of non-running conditions, including:
• Cars that won’t start due to a dead battery, bad starter, or electrical issues
• Vehicles with significant mechanical failures — blown engines, failed transmissions
• Cars that have been sitting for extended periods
• Vehicles with flat tires, missing parts, or cosmetic damage
Every donated vehicle is assessed by our mechanics. If it can be made reliably road-safe for a family, it will be. If the repair costs outweigh the vehicle’s value, we ensure it is responsibly recycled — with proceeds still supporting our mission.
Step-by-Step: How to Donate a Non-Running Car to SCCC
Step 1: Call Us or Fill Out the Form
Reach us at 859-525-6240 or visit samaritancarcare.org. Tell us the make, model, year, and condition. Let us know it doesn’t run — that’s fine. We’ll gather the information we need.
Step 2: We Arrange Free Pickup
SCCC coordinates free tow pickup from Greater Cincinnati and the Northern Kentucky region. There is no cost to you. The vehicle needs to be accessible — parked on a street, driveway, or lot where a tow truck can reach it. We’ll schedule a time that works for you.
Step 3: The Kentucky Title Step
Kentucky law requires that your title be notarized before transfer. If you’ve lost the title, SCCC can help you navigate the duplicate title process through your county clerk’s office.
We have a notary on staff who will help you fill out the title properly for donation and guide you through the signing process.
Step 4: We Handle the Rest
Once the vehicle is picked up and paperwork is complete, SCCC sends you a tax-deductible receipt. You’re done. No follow-up. No paperwork chasing. No more insurance premium on a car that doesn’t move.
What About the Tax Deduction on a Non-Running Car?
Yes — a non-running vehicle is still tax-deductible. The deduction is based on the fair market value or sale price of the vehicle, not its running condition. Even a car worth $400 at the salvage yard can generate a donation receipt. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
Don’t Let It Sit Another Month.
Call SCCC at 859-525-6240 or visit samaritancarcare.org.
No hassle. And somewhere in Northern Kentucky, a family gets one step closer to where they need to go. Want to give but don’t have a vehicle ready to donate? A cash donation keeps the same mission moving.