How the car donation process works
You schedule a free pickup anywhere around Melbourne
Start by telling Coastal Wheels about your car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, or other accepted vehicle. Free towing is available across the Space Coast, including Melbourne, West Melbourne, Eau Gallie, Suntree, Viera, Palm Bay, Indialantic, Satellite Beach, and nearby Brevard County communities. You do not have to deliver the vehicle to a lot or arrange your own tow. Once your basic vehicle and title information is confirmed, a towing partner schedules a convenient pickup window. The goal is to make donation simple, especially if the vehicle no longer runs or has been sitting unused.
The vehicle is assessed after it leaves your property
After pickup, the vehicle is reviewed for its condition, mileage, drivability, age, damage, title status, and likely resale value. This assessment happens after the tow because the best route is not always obvious from a phone description. A clean, running car may bring more at auction, while a non-running or heavily worn vehicle may produce a better result through salvage or parts channels. Coastal Wheels and its processing partners focus on converting the vehicle into proceeds for Heritage for the Blind in a practical, compliant way.
Running, resalable vehicles usually go to auction
If your donated vehicle is running and appears to be in resalable condition, it will typically be offered through a public or dealer auction. This is the most common path for cars that still have market demand. Auction buyers may be dealers, wholesalers, or individuals, depending on the venue and vehicle. The vehicle is sold, and the gross sale amount becomes the basis for your tax receipt if it sells for more than $500. Coastal Wheels does not set a guaranteed sale price, but the process is designed to turn your vehicle into charitable revenue.
Non-running or high-mileage vehicles may be sold for parts
Not every donated vehicle is a good auction candidate. If your car has major mechanical problems, accident damage, very high mileage, or does not run, it is typically sold to a licensed salvage or parts buyer. That does not mean it is worthless. Engines, transmissions, body panels, wheels, electronics, and recyclable materials can still create proceeds for Heritage for the Blind. In many cases, this route is faster and more cost-effective than trying to repair a vehicle. Your older Melbourne commuter car can still support a meaningful mission.
Proceeds go to Heritage for the Blind, not to Coastal Wheels
Once the vehicle is sold, the proceeds are directed to Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, EIN 58-2164446. Those proceeds are revenue Heritage uses to support services and outreach for people who are blind or visually impaired. Donated vehicles are generally sold rather than directly handed to a family in need because the sale creates flexible funding for the nonprofit mission. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price for tax deduction purposes.
Key facts about car donation
Free towing is available in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera, West Melbourne, and nearby Space Coast communities.
Running vehicles in resalable condition typically go to public or dealer auction after assessment.
Non-running, damaged, or high-mileage vehicles are usually sold to licensed salvage or parts buyers.
Heritage for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 58-2164446.
For vehicles sold over $500, donors receive IRS Form 1098-C showing the gross sale price.
Donors checking benefit eligibility can visit nhftb.org/finder for programs like SSI, LIHEAP, Medicare Extra Help, and Section 8.