Our vehicle donation partner, CARS, is available seven days a week. Please call 844-583-8227 or email donorsupport@careasy.org to get the answers to your questions.

Hours of Operation (ET):

• 8 a.m.–9 p.m.  (ET), Monday–Friday
• 9 a.m.–8 p.m. (ET), Saturday
• 11 a.m.–7:30 p.m. (ET), Sunday

It’s easy, fun, free and secure! CARS converts vehicles into cash, which becomes a welcome donation to Meals on Wheels America. Your gift may qualify for a tax deduction, and you avoid the cost and hassle of repairing or selling a car you no longer want.

No. There is no cost to the donor. All expenses are deducted from the gross sales price, and if the costs ever exceed the price, those costs are covered by CARS, our vehicle donation partner.

All vehicles are considered! CARS strives to accept all types of donated vehicles, running or not, including cars, trucks, trailers, boats, RVs, motorcycles, campers, off-road vehicles, planes, heavy equipment, farm machinery and most other motorized vehicles. To find out if CARS can accept your vehicle, please complete the secure online vehicle donation form, or call 844-583-8227 toll-free during regular hours of operation.

This varies from state to state. Each vehicle donor service representative is equipped with a 50-state guide for the steps necessary and will advise you of these steps during the donation process.

No. For states with this requirement, you may donate your vehicle without a smog certificate or safety inspection.

Yes! CARS can accept most vehicles, running or not. However, it must be in one piece and towable, have an engine and be tow truck accessible. To find out if CARS can accept your vehicle, please complete the secure online vehicle donation form, or call 844-583-8227 toll-free during regular hours of operation.

It varies, so please wait to mark the title until after you have discussed it with the vendor picking up your vehicle, as they are experts in your local area. If you have questions, you can call CARS toll-free at 844-583-8227 to speak to a representative.

Yes! Our vehicle donation program can provide quick and convenient vehicle pickup and towing just about anywhere in all 50 states. CARS provides vehicle donation processing in the contiguous 48 states as well as the District of Columbia, without limitation. In Alaska, they service the Fairbanks and Anchorage areas, with a 50-mile service radius. In Hawaii, they service the island of Oahu and the island of Hawaii. To find out if CARS can accept your vehicle, please complete the secure online vehicle donation form, or call 844-583-8227 toll-free during regular hours of operation.

Once you have provided all necessary information via the online vehicle donation form or over the phone with one of CARS’ vehicle donor support representatives, they will arrange to have a licensed tow company pick up your vehicle at a time convenient for you. The vehicle will be picked up and taken to one of CARS’ many sale locations — all at no cost to you.

In many cases, once the donation record has been created, CARS can schedule the vehicle to be picked up during the initial call. In other cases, CARS will contact you within two to three business days to schedule a convenient appointment time with one of their preferred vendors. If you need your car picked up sooner, please let the vehicle donor support representative know during your initial call. CARS will do their best to accommodate your time frame. For more specific information pertaining to your vehicle donation, please call 844-583-8227.

Donated vehicles are sold through the used-car markets and provide crucial funding for Meals on Wheels America. CARS works with a very large network of nationwide and independent vendors to sell vehicles and maximize donation proceeds. They analyze vendor pricing and performance on a regular basis to improve the process and ensure the best possible return for Meals on Wheels America and to maximize the donor’s tax benefit. For unique or specialty items that have been donated, CARS may use other means to sell the vehicle to help ensure the maximum funds are received for each donation.

CARS has multiple sales outlets and works hard to find the best buyer for each vehicle. The entire sale process may take four to 12 weeks. The net cash proceeds from your generous vehicle donation are sent to Meals on Wheels America within five business days upon the receipt of the sale proceeds from CARS auction or direct buyer providers.

In most states, you will need the clear title to the vehicle. But if you do not have your title or have problems with, please call anyway. It is possible that other arrangements may be made. Any lien holder listed on the title must be cleared and/or released by the bank. Please refer to the motor vehicle division in your state for clear instructions. CARS is also available seven days a week during regular hours of operation. Please call the toll-free number 844-583-8227.

CARS carefully evaluates each vehicle to find the best buyers. They assess the year, make, model, location and resale potential, then monitor the sale to ensure maximum returns. In most cases, vehicles are sold through an auction facility. High-end or specialty vehicles are individually evaluated and sold for the highest market value.

Yes. Once your vehicle sells, CARS will email and/or mail a thank-you letter on behalf of Meals on Wheels America, which serves as tax receipt. Please note that if your vehicle sells for more than $500 and your tax identification number has been provided, an IRS Form 1098-C, “Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes,” will be mailed to you within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds received from your donation.

CARS, Inc. runs the Meals on Wheels America Vehicle Donation Program. CARS is an ISO 9001 certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Diego that operates under the governance of an independent board of directors and specializes in vehicle donation services for other nonprofits. CARS follows governmental compliance with all IRS and state regulations concerning vehicle donation programs, fundraising registrations and charitable receipting requirements throughout all 50 states and Canada, as required. CARS has also maintained an A+ Better Business Bureau rating for over 10 years.