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Car Donation Services, Inc.

We Make it Easy to Give & Receive

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FAQ

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Am I able to purchase a car from you?

Yes, you can! We receive many cars that are in great or good condition, and those needing only minor repairs. We make those minor repairs, clean up the car, and resell to the public every week from our yard. Visit our “Contact Us” page for hours. While we’re unable to keep a current list of available vehicles because the majority of them sell quickly, we do advertise some vehicles on the internet via Facebook/Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay.

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Are there any costs associated with donating a vehicle?

No, there are never any costs to you.

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Are there any restrictions on the make or model of vehicles that can be donated?

We accept vehicles of all makes and models! There are no restrictions on the make or model of the vehicle.

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Are there any special considerations for donating antique or classic cars?

We love to handle antique and classic cars. With our over 30 years of experience, we know how to give these cars the specialized attention they need, to ensure we are getting the highest selling price!

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Can I donate a vehicle if it has outstanding fines or tickets?

Any outstanding fines or tickets must be paid for prior to donating. You are responsible for any fines or tickets you incurred while owning the vehicle. The only exception is the registration does not need to be current.

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Can I donate a vehicle that has been modified or customized?

Yes! We are able to accept modified or customized vehicles. We evaluate them as we do all of the donated vehicles to determine the best method of resale. We often have car collectors or hobbyists looking to purchase this type of vehicle for a “project” car or to add to their collection.

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Can I donate a vehicle that is leased or financed?

Unfortunately, we are not able to accept leased or financed vehicles. You must have a clear title under your name, and own the vehicle outright. It is also critical that there is no lienholder still showing on the title.

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Can I donate multiple vehicles at once?

Yes! We always welcome multiple donations from the same donor!

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Can I donate to a charity not listed on your website?

Absolutely! We’re more than happy to contact a new charity about receiving donations from our company. Please provide us with the charity’s name, address, phone number, and the name of a contact person. We’ll also ask you for a backup charity from our current partners in the event we are unable to partner with your requested charity.

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Do I Need To Go To DMV?

No, we handle that for you.

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Do you accept donations from businesses or only from individuals?

We accept donations from both businesses and individuals. We have charities that have actually donated their own business cars to themselves!

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Do you accept junk/salvage titles?

Yes, we do accept vehicles with junk/salvage titles.

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Does My Car Have To Be Currently Registered?

No it does not have to be current. However, there cannot be a lien holder on the title. We also accept vehicles registered on “Non Op” status with DMV.

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Does My Vehicle Have To Be Running?

Not necessarily. We do accept vehicles that are not currently running.

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How Do I Donate?

Simply complete the online donation form, or call us toll free at 1-888-686-4483. Our local number is (925) 229-5444. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

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How do I get ready for the tow driver and what should I expect?

Once we have accepted your vehicle, we will send you a packet that includes your initial receipt letter (keep this for your taxes), the required DMV forms, and detailed instructions on completing the forms. We highlight the forms so you know exactly where to complete and sign them. Additionally, we attach a notice with the tow company’s phone number and information. If you need to reschedule the tow, please contact the tow company directly.

To prepare for the tow driver, please have these forms completed. You will also need to sign your title on line 1a (and line 1.b only if two owners are listed with “and” rather than “or”). The completed forms and your signed title will be given to the tow driver.

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How do you determine the fair market value of donated vehicles?

The Fair Market Value of your vehicle is determined by the amount that your donated vehicle sells for. For more details please see our Tax Deduction Page where it explains how much of a deduction you may take if your vehicle sell for more than $500 or under $500.

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How long after filling out the donation form will I know if my vehicle was accepted?

We will contact you the same day to advise you that your vehicle has been accepted and provide you with the next steps. If you start your donation (online or by phone) over the weekend or after 2:00 pm, we will always attempt to contact you the same day or first thing the following business morning.

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How Much Can I Write Off On My Taxes?

Click to go to our Tax Deduction page for a detailed answer to your question.

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Is there a maximum age limit for vehicles accepted for donation?

We accept vehicles of all ages!

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Is there a maximum mileage limit for donated vehicles?

There is no limit on the mileage.

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Is there a minimum value requirement for donated vehicles?

There is no minimum value requirement. We evaluated every vehicle to determine the condition and method we will use for resale.

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My Vehicle Was In An Accident; Will You Still Take It?

Yes, we sometimes do take vehicles that have been in an accident.

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What Can I Donate?

You can donate your car, truck, van, RV, trailer, motorcycle, boat, or personal watercraft. We might even accept your scooter, golf cart, forklift and riding lawn mower. Really! If it has wheels and a motor, or is designed to be towed, give us a call.

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What do I do with the license plates of the vehicle I’m donating?

Most donors leave the license plates on the vehicle; however, you may remove them and turn them into the DMV. If you have personal license plates and wish to retain them, remove them from the vehicle. The DMV requires you to complete a Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form and pay a retention fee. Check with your local DMV office for specifics. We always file a Release of Liability with the DMV on your behalf, and we suggest you do the same.

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What happens if my donated vehicle doesn’t sell within a certain period?

It typically takes 30-60 days to sell a vehicle once the vehicle is picked up. There are occasions where it may take longer if we run into any title or DMV issues, or if we are making repairs on the vehicle and a part is on backorder. We always strive to sell the vehicles quickly. However, in some cases it may take a bit longer to sell, if we are making repairs. This generally means we will be able to sell the vehicle for more money, which means a higher tax deduction for the donor and higher proceeds for the charity.

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What Happens To My Vehicle After You Pick It Up?

Your vehicle will be sold. We do not “part” them out. We assess your vehicle’s condition to determine the method of resale. If the vehicle is in good condition or in need of minor repairs, we will bring it back to our yard, make those minor repairs, and resell it to the public. We also utilize both standard and higher-end auction houses. If the vehicle is in poor shape, as a last resort, we will send it to a dismantling company.

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What If I Don’t Have The Title (The Pink Slip)?

We still may be able to accept your vehicle. Please call our office at 1-888-686-4483 (or 925-229-5444) to discuss your particular situation.

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What is your pickup radius?

We cover the majority of California. Although we pick up in many rural areas, it is best to contact our office for confirmation.

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What Paperwork is Necessary?

You will need the title to the vehicle, and the title must be in the donor’s name. If you do not have the title, please contact our office right away for further instructions. We will mail to you the necessary DMV forms along with detailed instructions and your donation receipt before we pick up your vehicle. The title and completed DMV forms will go with the car (hand them to the tow driver), when the vehicle is picked up. If you have any questions while completing the DMV forms, please contact us, we will be happy to walk you through it.

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What types of vehicles usually aren’t accepted?

While we accept the vast majority of donations, there are occasions where we have to decline a vehicle. The vehicle must be in a location accessible to a tow truck (not stuck in the mud in the middle of a big field). Additionally, it must have all four wheels intact, and the vehicle’s engine must still be installed (we’ve encountered instances where the engine was found in the back seat or trunk). Of course, we cannot accept vehicles with biohazard situations. You must be the legal owner, or in the case of a deceased owner, an active executor or trustee, to donate a car. If the vehicle owner is deceased, please contact our office so we may explain the DMV requirements. We cannot accept vehicles that have been abandoned. However, we always encourage you to call us if there is any question.

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When Will You Pick Up My Vehicle?

Once we accept your vehicle the towing company will contact you and schedule a time that is convenient to pick up your vehicle. Let us know if you need a “rush” pick up, so we can work with you.

Charities

Our average selling price is significantly higher than our competitors. This means MORE money for your charity and a LARGER tax deduction for you!

Learn More

Contact Us

Toll-Free (888) 686-4483
Local Phone (925) 229-5444
>B> Donation Hours:
by phone or online - 24/7
Including Holidays!


Administration Office regular business hours M-F 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Please contact our main number 925-229-5444 to leave a message and we will contact you on Monday when we return.

**Our administrative office is closed to all public.


**CAR SALES:
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A VEHICLE, PLEASE CALL 925-708-7914 (OUR SALES PHONE) DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS.
Sales Hours Yard: Tues & Thurs - 9am-1pm
[email protected]

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