Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I donate my vehicle instead of sell?
Donating a car to the Ministry Motors provides tax saving and a warm-fuzzy feeling for directly helping a family in the Denver area  You only get the wholesale value when you trade the car in on a new one.  If you are not buying a new car and trading one in, selling takes time and effort because you need to advertise and show the car until you sell it.  Donating takes one call and it's done.  When you balance the hassle of selling with the blessing of donating and the tax credit, the choice is easy.

Why should I donate to the Ministry Motors and not to another organization accepting car donations?
Cars donated to the Ministry Motors are fixed and sold to families in the Denver area.  Disadvantaged individuals that qualify for our program receive a car to help them better support their family through work. Most car donation programs are to raise money for the organization, and the car is auctioned or wholesaled as soon as it is received.  Since we sell the cars (at no interest) for the market value of the car, your donation is worth more and your tax deduction is higher.

How do I determine the market value of my car?
Visit the websites for NADA, Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds and go through the steps to find the approximate retail value of your car.  Deduct the cost of repairs to make the car safe to obtain an estimate of the cars value. You might want to consult your tax accountant or read IRS Form 8283, "Noncash Charitable Contributions" and Publication 561, "Determining the Value of Donated Property."

What if my car is worth $5,000 or more?
If the car is worth more than $5,000 it must be appraised by a dealership that fills out IRS Form 8282.

Why should my church or charity partner with Ministry Motors?
Sooner or later one of your church family members or acquaintances will be in need of basic transportation.  Ministry Motors can be a way that you can be of real assistance to them. Also, you could have donors that would like to donate their car, but you do not have the infrastructure to give donors the best possible tax benefits.  Since Ministry Motors retails the cars (at no interest) to needy families in the area, your donors receive the best possible tax benefits and your ministry gets more than they would have otherwise.