How the car donation process works
Start with your current title situation
When you contact MotorCity Wheels, tell the donation team exactly what you have: a clean Michigan title, an out-of-state title, a duplicate title request in progress, lien paperwork, or no title at all. A clean, signed title is the easiest path, but Heritage for the Blind can guide you through many lost-title situations before pickup is scheduled. You do not need to decode state paperwork alone. The goal is to confirm whether the vehicle can be accepted, what documents are needed, and who must sign before the tow truck heads to your Detroit-area location.
If the title is lost, ask before giving up
A missing title does not automatically mean you cannot donate. In many cases, the titled owner can request a duplicate title through the state that issued it. Heritage for the Blind can explain the general next steps and help you understand what information may be needed, such as the VIN, owner name, and vehicle details. Some vehicles without titles can sometimes be accepted depending on the vehicle, state rules, and available documentation, so it is best to call and discuss the facts before assuming your donation is impossible.
Clear any lien before the donation
If a bank, credit union, finance company, or other lender is listed on the title, the lien must be satisfied before the vehicle can be donated. That usually means the loan has been paid off and the lender has released its interest in the vehicle. If you still owe money, contact the lender first and ask what is required to release the title. If the loan is already paid but the lien still appears, you may need a lien release letter or updated title before pickup can move forward.
Make sure the right person can sign
The person named on the title is usually the person who must sign it over to Heritage for the Blind. If the vehicle is in someone else’s name, do not sign for them unless you have proper legal authority, such as valid power-of-attorney documentation. If the title is in a deceased spouse’s or parent’s name, extra paperwork may be required. Depending on the state, that could involve probate documents, a small-estate affidavit, or an affidavit of heirship. The donation team can help you identify what to ask for before scheduling pickup.
Sign over the title at free pickup
Once the paperwork is confirmed, MotorCity Wheels helps arrange free towing throughout Detroit and Metro Detroit. The tow driver brings the pickup paperwork and will collect the properly signed title when the vehicle is removed. You will sign the title over to Heritage for the Blind, not to the driver personally. Out-of-state titles are accepted when they are valid and properly signed. After the title handoff, donors typically do not need a DMV visit, although you should follow any state-specific instructions provided for plates, registration, or records.
Key facts about car donation
A clean, signed title is preferred, but Heritage can discuss lost-title and no-title donation options.
Any lien must be paid off or released before the vehicle can be transferred for donation.
The title is signed over to Heritage for the Blind at pickup, not to the tow driver.
Valid out-of-state titles can be accepted for Detroit and Metro Detroit vehicle donations.
Free towing is included, and IRS Form 1098-C is provided for vehicles over $500.
After the signed title is handed off, a DMV visit is typically not required for donors.