A dead car on your driveway has a way of sitting there longer than anyone expects. At first it’s just inconvenient. Then weeks pass. Then months. Before long, it’s something you walk around every day and quietly put off dealing with.
For a lot of people across Kent, the problem isn’t just that the car won’t start. It’s that it won’t move at all. Locked wheels, flat tyres, tight access, cars parked in front of it. Suddenly, getting it off the driveway feels like a bigger job than it should be.
Why Driveway Non-Runners Are Often the Tricky Ones
Roadside breakdowns are usually straightforward. Driveway jobs are different. There’s no space to manoeuvre, no gentle slope to roll on, and often no clear line to the road.
Common driveway situations we see include:
- cars parked nose-in with no room to roll back
- vehicles boxed in by another car
- handbrakes seized after sitting unused
- wheels locked solid
- flat tyres sunk into the ground
These are the jobs where guessing usually leads to damage.
Why Pushing the Car Rarely Works
A lot of people assume a few friends and a bit of effort will solve the problem. Sometimes it does. More often, it doesn’t.
Pushing a dead car can cause:
- scraped bumpers
- damaged driveways
- strained backs
- uncontrolled movement once it starts rolling
If the wheels are locked or the brakes are seized, pushing isn’t just hard, it’s pointless.
How Recovery Services Actually Move Dead Cars
Moving a car that can’t roll takes more than a tow rope. The approach depends on what the car can and can’t do.
Typical methods include:
- flatbed recovery, lifting the car completely
- winching the vehicle carefully
- using wheel skates under locked tyres
- repositioning the car sideways if needed
Wheel skates are a key part of this. They allow a car to be moved even when the wheels won’t turn, and they’re especially useful on tight residential driveways.
Tight Access and Residential Areas
Many Kent driveways weren’t designed with recovery vehicles in mind. Narrow entrances, parked cars, low walls, and awkward angles all make things harder.
This is where experience matters. Rushing or using the wrong method can damage:
- the vehicle
- the driveway
- nearby walls or fences
Taking time to assess the situation first usually saves trouble later.
Long-Term Non-Runners and Project Cars
Some driveway cars haven’t moved in years. Project cars, MOT failures, or vehicles left after an upgrade. These often come with extra complications.
Common issues include:
- seized brakes
- perished tyres
- steering that no longer turns freely
- parts removed during repair attempts
Trying to “just get it running enough” often ends with another breakdown or more damage.
Legal Side People Often Miss
If the car is SORN, untaxed, or uninsured, driving it even a short distance isn’t legal. This catches people out, especially when the garage is only “around the corner”.
Transporting the vehicle avoids:
- legal issues
- insurance problems
- fines or penalties
This is one reason professional vehicle transport is often the simplest option.
Non-Runner Transport in Kent
Most driveway non-runners fall under the wider category of non-runner car transport. The same principles apply, but access makes everything more delicate.
If you haven’t already, it’s worth understanding how non-runner vehicles are moved more generally, because driveway jobs are often just one version of a bigger transport issue.
How Reds Recovery Handles Driveway Non-Runners
Reds Recovery Services regularly moves dead cars from driveways across Kent, using flatbeds and specialist equipment designed for non-runners.
Our car transport service is built for situations where:
- the vehicle won’t start
- the wheels won’t roll
- access is limited
- damage needs to be avoided
You can read more about our transport setup here:
https://redsrecovery.co.uk/car-transport-services/
Each job is approached differently, depending on the vehicle and the space available.
A lot of driveway non-runners actually come from auctions or online purchases, which brings a different set of questions once the car is bought.
Final Thoughts
A dead car on your driveway doesn’t have to become a permanent feature. It just needs to be moved properly. Guessing, pushing, or improvising usually creates more problems than it solves.
If you need a non-runner moved from a driveway anywhere in Kent, call Reds Recovery Services on 01634 926 801 and we’ll talk through the best way to handle it.
FAQs – Dead Cars on Driveways
Can you move a car if the wheels are locked?
Yes, wheel skates allow locked vehicles to be moved safely.
Will moving a car damage my driveway?
Using the correct equipment avoids damage in most cases.
Do I need to be present during the recovery?
It helps, but arrangements can be made if access is clear.
Can you collect long-term non-runners?
Yes, even vehicles that haven’t moved for years.