When you are getting your car ready for donation, you will want to take some time to make sure that it is ready to go. If you are donating your car to charity, you want to make sure that you are giving the charity a car that is in good condition. When donating a car, it is most likely going to a person in need. You want to make sure that they are getting a car that is in good, working shape, and looks nice as well. When donating your car, you can actually make the donation tax-deductible, which means it could benefit you financially. This can help justify any work that you need to do on the car before donating it. By following these tips, you will be giving the charity a great donation that is in fantastic condition.

Car Donation Preparation:

One of the first things you will want to do to prepare your car for donation is to make sure that everything works. Obviously, if your car has major problems and will be too expensive to fix, then it may not be worth it to fix. You should look at the inexpensive fixes that can be done in the car. Make sure that all things throughout the car work. Check the windows, blinkers, lights, windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, tire pressure, and the oil. Replace any lights that may be out, put air in any tires that are low, and fill up any low fluids. You should get an oil change if you have not gotten one for 3,000 miles of for three months. If you do these repairs, your car may be worth more money on your tax deduction.

DMV Requirements For Car Donations:

From the perspective of the DMV, donating your car is similar to selling your car. All the paperwork for a title transfer plus canceling your registration still applies. The exact steps you’ll need to take will vary from state to state. Contact your local DMV office for specific requirements and details. (1)

Clean Your Vehicle:

The next thing you should do is clean the car. You do not have to get your car detailed, but make sure that your car looks presentable. Wash the outside of your car either at home with the hose, or take it through a car wash. Vacuum the inside of the vehicle, making sure that you get under all of the seats, and between the seats. Take out all personal items from the glove box. You can leave in the owner’s manual for the next owner. Be sure to take out your garage door opener and put it in a safe place. Check in the trunk for any personal items, and look between the seats. If you have a pass for a certain roads that are stickers on the windshield, make sure to take them off of the car. Also, take out any emergency supplies, like jumper cables.

Organize Documents:

Another thing you will want to do when you are donating your car is to put together a folder of important documents. You need to include the title, the title transfer, and any other important documents. You can include any information on accidents that have happened to the car. This will help the person who is getting look for anything that could go wrong with the car based on the nature of the accident. You can also give them any documents on places that the car has visited for repairs. This way, the person who is getting the car will have a reliable list of places that are comfortable and experienced working on the specific car.

Picking A Charity:

There are thousands of charities or non-profits to choose from. The most important thing to verify is that donating a car is possible with the charity. Most of the time that means it must be registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. (1)

Donating your car can be a very great gift for someone in need. You should prepare your car so it is at its maximum potential before donating it. This way, the person who is getting the car will have a vehicle that will be suited for whatever their needs may be, and you will feel good about donating it.

Sources:

1.) https://www.dmv.org/buy-sell/selling-your-car/donate-car.php