What matters first when the car will not move
A crash car that will not drive often creates two problems at once: the damage itself, and the practical question of how anyone gets to it. A car may be sitting on a suburban drive in Altrincham, but if the steering is locked, a wheel is buckled, or the engine will not fire, the collection note needs to say that early.
The safest starting point is to describe the vehicle as it sits now, not as it used to be. If it can roll freely, say so. If one wheel drags, a tyre has collapsed, or the front end is buried against a wall or kerb, say that instead. That difference can decide whether the pickup is straightforward or needs more careful recovery planning.
Damage details that change the pickup plan
Some damage types matter more than others because they affect movement. A bent wheel can stop a car rolling cleanly. A damaged suspension leg can make the body sit lower than expected. Airbag deployment can point to a harder impact and a more cautious handover. Broken glass can also make the car awkward to touch, load, or inspect.
If the crash affected the front, rear, or side, mention which area took the hit and whether any parts are hanging loose. A bumper on the floor, a split radiator, or a pushed-in wing may not sound important on their own, but together they tell a clearer story than the phrase “front damaged”. Plain facts help. General language does not.
How to describe the car where it is parked
A non-runner can be simple to collect from a wide drive and awkward to collect from a tight one. The parking position matters because it affects how the vehicle can be reached and turned. A car at the top of a steep slope, behind another vehicle, or nose-in against a garage door may need a different approach from one parked by the kerb.
Useful access notes include whether there is a narrow gate, a low branch, a dropped kerb, or soft ground. If the car is in a shared parking area, say whether other vehicles block the exit. If the steering does not work, that should be mentioned as well, because a car that cannot be turned may be much harder to winch out of a confined space.
Make the description safe and realistic
Crash damage can leave sharp edges, leaking fluids, loose trim, and shattered glass. It is better to say that clearly than to soften it. A vehicle that looks quiet on the drive may still be unsafe to move without care if the wheel is collapsed or the airbags have gone off. Honest notes reduce delays and keep expectations sensible.
Photos help most when they show the whole car as well as the key damage points. One wide shot and a few close views are usually more useful than a dozen unclear pictures. Try to show the front, rear, both sides, and the place where the car sits. If something has already been removed, such as a wheel or mirror, include that too.
A straightforward handover starts with the facts
For non-drivable Altrincham crash cars, the best handover is usually the one that answers practical questions before anyone arrives. Can the vehicle roll? Can it steer? Is there enough room to reach it? Is the damage only cosmetic, or has the crash changed the way the car sits on the ground?
If you have the keys, say so. If you do not, say that as well. If the boot or bonnet will not open, that is worth noting because it affects what can be checked on site. Small details like these save time and stop a difficult vehicle from being treated like an ordinary pickup.
When the description is clear, the next step is much easier: match the collection plan to the car’s actual condition, not the ideal version you might remember from before the crash.