Donate a three-wheeler to the collectors who actually want them

Where donated three-wheelers come from

Families clearing a barn, a shed or an estate. A three-wheeler bought new in 1984 got used hard for a decade and then parked, and it has been in the same corner ever since.

Owners who kept one for property work and finally moved to a quad or a UTV. Farm three-wheelers with racks tend to be the most used and the most complete.

Collectors thinning a group. If you have several, say so; they travel together on one trailer and the transport saving stays with the cause.

On a trailer or in a truck bed

A three-wheeler is small and light and rides in a pickup bed or on a small trailer. Inexpensive, which matters on a modest-value item.

It does not need to run. Tell us whether it rolls and whether the front wheel steers, because a seized front end changes a push into a lift.

Do not clean it up and do not strip it. Leave the original plastics, the rack, the seat and the exhaust even if they are rough. Originality is the value here and a stripped machine is worth much less than a complete tired one.

What decides what a three-wheeler brings

• Model and engine size. Certain sport models have a devoted following and bring multiples of what a basic utility model does. Get the model number off the side cover or the frame.
• Completeness and originality. Original plastics, seat, rack, exhaust and airbox. Missing plastics are the single hardest thing to replace on these.
• Whether it runs, or turns over. A running engine is a real premium. One that turns over freely is the next best thing.
• Frame and rack condition. Surface rust is expected and fine. Cracked frame welds and a bent front end are not.
• Tires. Original balloon tires that hold air are surprisingly valuable because replacements are scarce.

Makes we accept

This is an entirely model-driven collector market.

• Honda: ATC70, ATC90, ATC110, ATC125M, ATC185, ATC200, ATC200X, ATC250R, ATC250ES Big Red, ATC350X.
• Yamaha: Tri-Moto YT125, YT175, YTM200, YTM225, Tri-Z 250.
• Others: Kawasaki KLT200 and KLT250 Prairie, Suzuki ALT125 and ALT185, Polaris Scrambler three-wheel, ATC clones and Chinese imports.

Not seeing yours? The list above is a search aid, not a restriction. We accept any make or model in this category, named here or not, including orphan brands and builders long out of business. What decides a donation is the condition and the paperwork, never the badge, so put yours on the form even if it is not listed.

Manufacturer names appear here so you can find your own machine. No manufacturer sponsors, endorses or is affiliated with this program.

The paperwork, and what you can deduct

Off-road machines are the category most likely to have no title, and that is normal rather than a problem. Some states title them, some issue an off-highway registration, and some issue nothing at all. What we need is the VIN or serial number off the frame and a bill of sale or the original purchase paperwork. We will tell you which applies where you are, and the state title rules page covers the process. On a machine this old the paperwork is usually long gone, and that is generally fine because most states never titled them. What matters is the VIN stamped on the frame near the steering head. If it is unreadable or has been ground off, tell us before anything is scheduled.

Giving Center sells the machine and your deduction is the gross sale proceeds on Form 1098-C. A sought-after sport model in running, original condition can land between $500 and $5,000, where Form 8283 Section A applies. A rough but complete utility three-wheeler often sells under $500, where the deduction is the lesser of fair market value or $500 and we send a written acknowledgment instead of a 1098-C.

The honest framing for this category: the deduction will usually be modest, the pickup costs you nothing, and the machine goes to somebody who genuinely wants it rather than to a scrap pile.