by Sometimes an old car does not disappear from your life when you stop driving it. It gets moved beside the house or into the backyard, and every year you tell yourself you will deal with it later. That was the situation with an old Pontiac station wagon in Steveston. It had been sitting behind the house for years, surrounded by blackberry bushes and approximately 50 feet from the street.
This was not a car that could simply be started and driven onto a tow truck. It needed the right equipment, a safe route out and some patience. The good news for the owner was that the Pontiac did not have to be moved closer to the street before it could be picked up.
Can a Tow Truck Remove a Car From a Backyard?
Yes, a tow truck can often remove a car from a backyard, but every property is different. The distance from the street, the width of the access, the condition of the ground and whether the wheels can roll all affect how the job should be handled.
For this Steveston pickup, the tow truck could not be backed directly up to the Pontiac. The station wagon was approximately 50 feet from the street, and blackberry bushes had grown around it. A winch cable was used to bring the vehicle carefully toward the truck. After a little tug to free it from where it had been sitting, the old Pontiac came out and was loaded onto the flat deck.
This is why it helps to explain the entire situation when arranging a difficult vehicle pickup. A car behind a house is a different job from a car parked at the end of a driveway, but it does not necessarily make removal impossible.
An Old Pontiac Hidden in the Blackberry Bushes
The Pontiac had been sitting long enough for branches, dirt and vegetation to collect around it. The vehicle no longer looked like something that was ready for the road. It had become part of the backyard.
Before pulling a car from a yard, the path has to be considered. There may be fences, sheds, trees, soft ground or other vehicles in the way. The winch line also needs to remain controlled so the car does not roll toward the house, landscaping or anything else on the property.
The owner did not need to start the Pontiac, push it by hand or pay another towing company to move it closer to the road. The recovery and removal were handled as one job.
Watch part of this real Steveston vehicle recovery on Jay’s TikTok. The video is not a polished production because safely completing the job came first, but it shows that this was a genuine pickup.
What Should I Tell Jay About a Backyard Vehicle?
When a car is not close to the street, provide as much information as possible before the truck is arranged. Explain approximately how far the vehicle is from the road, whether there is a gate or fence, and whether bushes, trees or other vehicles block the route.
It also helps to know whether all four wheels are present, whether the tires are flat, whether the wheels turn and whether the keys are available. Photos showing both the vehicle and the path toward the street can help determine which equipment will be needed.
Do not start cutting down fences or trying to pull the car with another vehicle before asking. First explain the location and condition so Jay can determine a safer plan.
Cars Left for Years Can Attract Rats
A quiet vehicle surrounded by blackberry bushes can provide shelter for rats and mice. They may build nests under the hood, inside the ventilation system or behind interior panels. They can also chew wiring, hoses and insulation.
Even if a stored vehicle could once have been repaired, years of moisture, plant growth and rodent activity can make that repair much more complicated. Before trying to start a long-stored car, look under the hood for nesting material and damaged wiring.
Jay has a separate guide explaining what can happen when rodents move into a stored vehicle. Read Car Wiring Damage From Rats in the Lower Mainland for the complete answer.
Is an Uninsured Car Safe in a Driveway or Backyard?
A car does not automatically become unsafe simply because its insurance has expired. The larger concern is what can happen while a vehicle sits unused for months or years.
Fluids can begin leaking, batteries can deteriorate, tires and brakes can fail, and rust can develop underneath the vehicle. Rats or mice may build nests and damage wiring. Heavy vegetation can also make it difficult to see what is happening under and around the car.
An uninsured vehicle should not be driven on a public road. Property owners should also check any strata, tenancy or insurance rules that apply to their home.
The City of Richmond explains that an unsightly property can involve excessive discarded materials and overgrown vegetation. That does not mean every uninsured vehicle in a driveway violates a bylaw. It means the complete condition of the property matters. Anyone concerned about a particular property should review Richmond’s Unsightly Premises information or ask the City for guidance.
Backyard Car Removal Throughout Richmond
This Pontiac was removed from Steveston, but difficult vehicle locations are not limited to one Richmond neighbourhood. Older homes, long driveways, side yards and backyard parking can be found across Seafair, Thompson, Terra Nova, Broadmoor, Blundell, South Arm, Ironwood, Bridgeport and East Richmond.
Jay’s Junk Car Towing arranges junk car removal in Richmond, including properties near Steveston Highway, No. 1 Road, Railway Avenue, Blundell Road and other parts of the city. These local references describe the service area. A customer’s exact pickup address remains private.
Is Towing Free for a Backyard Vehicle?
Towing is free for complete vehicles. A vehicle can still be complete when it does not run, has mechanical trouble, has flat tires or has been sitting for years.
If wheels or major parts are missing, tell Jay before the pickup. A vehicle in that condition may need different equipment or paid removal. Any difference will be discussed before the truck is sent.
How Payment and Pickup Work
Call Jay and describe the vehicle, its condition and where it is sitting. Send photographs when the route from the backyard to the street is difficult. Jay can then provide an offer and arrange the correct truck and equipment.
Cash payment is made before the vehicle is loaded. Keys and registration are helpful, but they may not always be available after a vehicle has sat for years. Tell Jay before the pickup if either is missing. Remove personal belongings, keep the licence plates and complete the appropriate ICBC vehicle-transfer paperwork.
Do Not Let a Difficult Location Stop You From Calling
A Pontiac sitting approximately 50 feet from the street, surrounded by blackberry bushes and unable to drive, could still be removed. The distance and access changed how the job was handled, but they did not make the recovery impossible.
If an old car has been sitting in a backyard anywhere in Richmond, explain the complete situation to Jay. With the right information and equipment, there may be a practical way to bring it out safely and have the vehicle recycled through an approved BC recycling partner.
Call Jay’s Junk Car Towing at 604-889-4470. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Backyard Car Removal Questions
Can a tow truck remove a car that is 50 feet from the street?
Often, yes. The truck may not need to reach the vehicle directly if there is a safe route for a winch cable. Photos and accurate distance measurements help Jay plan the pickup.
Does the car need to run before it can be removed?
No. A non-running vehicle can be winched and loaded when the access and vehicle condition allow it.
What if blackberry bushes have grown around the car?
Tell Jay how much vegetation surrounds the vehicle and send pictures. Some growth may need to be cleared to create a safe path and protect the property during removal.
Can you remove an old car from anywhere in Richmond?
Jay’s Junk Car Towing serves Richmond, including Steveston and surrounding neighbourhoods. Whether a particular backyard vehicle can be removed depends on access, ground conditions and the vehicle’s condition.
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