Non-running vehicles are their own logistics category, and getting the designation wrong costs money every time.A non-running unit could be a salvage lot with a seized engine, a trade-in with a dead battery, a repo with cut ignition wires, or a fleet lease with brake line damage. The common thread: it can't move under its own power and needs winch or forklift handling at pickup.Here's where the problem starts. A dealer or broker lists it as "running" to move it faster through their system. The carrier shows up to pickup with a standard ramp, driver assesses it's non-running on-site, and now you have a no-load — the carrier is not equipped to pull it aboard and leaves. That's a missed transport slot, an extra day of storage fees, and a wasted dispatch cost that someone eats.Non-running logistics are different in three ways.Equipment. A non-running unit needs a flatbed or a carrier with a functional winch. Standard open-deck carriers have tie-down capability, but not all have winches. A forklift-capable load needs to be communicated in advance so the receiving yard can support it.Inspection. The carrier needs to know why the unit isn't running — dead battery, transmission lock, steering lock, ignition disable, water damage, brake failure. Not all of these are created equal. A dead battery can be charged or jumped in some cases; a transmission lock might need special routing. Clear intel upfront prevents surprises at pickup.Capacity. Winch loads often mean one, maybe two units per truck (depending on weight and configuration), not the standard three to four. The cost per unit is higher, which means pricing has to account for it — and it has to be known before the unit moves, not invoiced as a surprise after.So how do you identify a non-running vehicle correctly?Start at the lot level. If the unit didn't self-power into the yard, doesn't start reliably, or required push-starting to move it to the line-up, it's non-running. If it has a known mechanical failure (no power steering, failed transmission, no brakes), it's non-running.Flag it in your transport request. Don't assume the carrier will figure it out. Communicate clearly: "Non-running — winch load required" or "Unit requires forklift at pickup and delivery."Provide reason if you know it. "Dead battery — can be jumped" is different from "seized transmission." The carrier plans differently.Confirm the carrier's capability before confirming the pickup time. A carrier experienced with non-running vehicles has the equipment, insurance, and experience to handle it cleanly.For dealers and brokers moving frequent non-running units, this is not an edge case — it's a process. GetPaid on delivery, lock the pricing upfront, use a partner who codes non-running units correctly and has the equipment and experience to move them, and you cut the delays and surprise costs that pile up fast.SendMyRide handles non-running and salvage loads as part of the standard offering. When you flag a unit as non-running, the assignment goes to a vetted carrier with winch capability and the right insurance — not a rotating queue of drivers who treat it as an exception. Your account manager coordinates the special handling, pricing reflects the real cost of the load, and the unit moves cleanly.Non-running vehicles aren't a problem if you manage them as a separate category from day one.