If you have additional questions, please contact us.
Donor Questions
How do I donate my car?
We try to make the donation process as simple and easy as possible. Fill out our online car donation form or call (828) 633-6888. Next, locate your title and reassign ownership to Working Wheels in the presence of a notary. If there are 2 owners listed on the title, both must sign. Once we have the title, we will coordinate drop-off/pick-up or have your car towed if necessary at no cost to you. If the car is drivable and you are willing, it is very helpful if you can drop off the vehicle. If not, we’ll come get it!
Do you accept all vehicles, regardless of condition?
We enthusiastically accept vehicles in any condition and repair as many of them as possible. Those that are not able to be placed in the program serve as organ donors (parts cars) or are sold to generate proceeds. All donated vehicles support our mission to place working families in working wheels. Vehicles located more than 45 miles from Asheville are accepted on case by case basis.
What if I don’t have my title?
No problem. We can help you obtain proper documentation for the title transfer. Give us a call (828) 633-6888.
How soon can you pick it up?
We can generally pick up vehicles within 1-2 days. At times, we get busy and are a bit slower. We will do our best to accommodate your schedule and pick up your vehicle as quickly as possible.
When do I cancel my insurance? Do I need to turn in my license plate?
Before cancelling insurance coverage for your vehicle, please remove the license plate and return it to the DMV. If you plan to transfer the license plate to another vehicle, be sure to notify the DMV of your plans before cancelling insurance.
Do I have to be home when you pick up my car?
Once we have received the title and confirmed a plan for pick-up of the vehicle, we recommend that you clean out your possessions, leave the door unlocked, and place the keys under the driver-side floor mat. You do not need to be home for the pick-up.
How do I know what to claim on my taxes?
The value of your tax deduction depends on how your vehicle is used to benefit the mission of Working Wheels. If placed in the program, your vehicle’s tax deductible value will be the fair market value. Vehicles in good shape but not a good fit for the program are sold in the retail market allowing the donor to claim market retail value for the tax deduction. If the vehicle becomes an organ donor (parts-car) or is sold in the wholesale market, you are able to claim the price of the sale (or value of the parts). In all cases, donors will be notified via letter of the tax deductible amount.
Program Participant Questions
How do I get an affordable, reliable vehicle through the program?
All program participants are referred to Working Wheels from one of our partner agencies. The case managers at these organizations are able to refer individuals who have been actively engaged in one of their eligible programs for at least 4 months. In addition to a referral from a case manager, all applicants must have a valid NC driver license, proof of employment, and the ability to pay $610. For a visual representation of the process, check out our Program Participant Pathway.
How much does it cost to purchase a program car?
$610 = $500 for the car plus $110 to NC cover taxes, title, and registration fees. Prior to purchase, automobile insurance must be secured. Within 60 days of purchase, property tax is due to the state of NC (generally $20-40).
After I apply, what happens next?
Once we have your completed application and $610 payment, we will call to set up an orientation meeting which generally lasts about 45 minutes. During this time, we will explain the warranty, explain a bit more about the process, and answer any questions you may have.
Once we have a car ready for you, we will provide you with the vehicle’s VIN (vehicle ID#), year, make, model, mileage so that you are able to secure insurance.
How long is the wait for a program car?
Generally about 6 to 12 weeks after we receive your application. Sometimes shorter, sometimes longer depending on how many people are in line and how fast the quality cars are coming in.
Do program cars come with a warranty?
Yes. We provide a 6-month / 6,000 mile limited warranty on vehicles sold through our program. Vehicles sold to the public to generate proceeds for the mission do not come with a warranty.
General Questions
What areas do you serve?
We are based in Asheville and serve the surrounding counties in Western North Carolina.
How do local organizations partner with Working Wheels?
We have an application available upon request for organizations interested in partnering with Working Wheels to access vehicles for their clients. We add partners as we are able. The more donated cars we receive, the more partners we are able to add!
Do you sell cars to the public?
Yes. In some cases, we are able to sell vehicles to the public and use the proceeds to fix several program cars. Visit our showroom tab to see the cars we currently have available for public sale.
Do you finance or accept trade-ins for vehicles sold to the public?
No. We accept cash and cashier’s checks.
How does my organization become a referral partner agency?
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Working Wheels Referral Partner!
As vehicle donations and available repair funding increase, we add partners as we are able, generally in February. If you are interested in having your organization considered for partnership, please fill out the interest form below.
Our list of current referral partners along with links to their websites can be found on our partner page.