Can You Move a Dead Car? Here’s What Actually Works

Ever hit a curb so hard your front lip cracked, or scraped a body kit on a driveway apron until your car wouldn’t budge? You’re not alone. Every winter in Adelaide, at least three people call roadside assistance because their car won’t move - not because the engine died, but because the body kit got stuck on the ground. And yes, you can move a dead car. But how you do it depends on what’s broken, and whether your body kit is the reason it’s stuck.

Why a Car With a Body Kit Might Not Move

Same thing happens with side skirts. If you hit a curb hard enough, the skirt can buckle inward and catch on the wheel well. Rear diffusers are even worse - they’re often made of thin, rigid material. One hard bump and it snaps off, leaving jagged edges that catch on the road surface. You might think the car’s dead because the engine won’t start. But sometimes, the problem is just the body kit acting like a anchor.

How to Tell If It’s the Body Kit or Something Else

• Can you see the body kit touching the ground? Look from the side. Is the front lip dragging? Is a side skirt bent inward?
• Is the car completely immobile, or does it rock slightly when you push?
• Do you hear scraping or grinding noises when you try to move it?
• Did the problem start right after hitting something?

If you answered yes to all of those, the body kit is likely the culprit. But if the car doesn’t respond at all - no lights, no click when you turn the key - then the battery or starter is dead. That’s a different fix. You need to rule out mechanical failure before you try to move the car.

How to Move a Dead Car With a Damaged Body Kit

1. Put the car in neutral. Even if the engine’s dead, you need to disengage the transmission. Turn the key to ON (not START) and press the brake. Shift to neutral. If it’s an automatic, you might need to use the manual override button near the shifter.
2. Clear the path. Use a flat pry bar or a thick piece of wood to gently lift the damaged part. Don’t yank it. Plastic body kits can crack further if you force them. Slide the wood under the front lip or side skirt to create a small gap between the ground and the kit.
3. Use a helper. One person pushes the car while the other lifts the body kit slightly. Even a few inches of clearance lets the wheels roll. Use your shoulders, not your back. Push from behind the rear axle - it’s the most stable point.
4. Roll it slowly. Don’t try to move it fast. Once it starts rolling, keep pushing in a straight line. Avoid turning the steering wheel while it’s stuck - that can snap the kit further.
5. Get it to flat ground. Once you’ve moved it a few meters, stop. Don’t try to drive it. Call a tow truck or a mechanic. Driving with a damaged body kit can tear more parts off or damage the suspension.

Pro tip: If you’ve got a floor jack, use it. Lift the front or side where the kit is stuck, slide a piece of plywood or thick cardboard under it, then lower the jack. The plywood gives you a smooth surface to roll over. It’s not glamorous, but it works.

What Not to Do

Don’t try to drive the car if it’s dragging. You’ll tear off more of the kit, and you might damage the exhaust, fuel lines, or brake hoses underneath. One guy in Port Adelaide tried to gun it out of a driveway last winter. He snapped his entire front splitter, shredded the undertray, and bent a control arm. The repair bill was $4,200.

Don’t use ropes or chains to pull the car. That puts sudden stress on the frame. Your body kit isn’t designed to handle that kind of force. You could rip the mounting points clean off the car’s body.

And don’t assume the car is fine just because it moves after you lift the kit. Even if it rolls now, the damage might have affected the alignment or suspension. Get it checked.

When to Call a Tow Truck

Call for help if:

• The car is stuck on a slope or incline
• You can’t get any clearance under the body kit
• The damage looks structural - cracks running into the frame or wheel wells
• You’re alone and can’t push it safely

Most roadside services in Adelaide will tow you for free if you have a membership. If not, expect to pay between $80 and $150 for a local tow. It’s cheaper than replacing a $1,200 carbon-fiber front lip because you tried to be a hero.

Preventing This From Happening Again

If you’ve got a body kit, here’s how to avoid getting stuck:

• Install skid plates under the front and rear. These are thin metal strips that bolt on and take the hit instead of your kit.
• Use a front-end lift kit. Some kits come with hydraulic or manual lifts that raise the front 3 inches when you’re going over a curb.
• Know your car’s ground clearance. A stock sedan might have 15cm. A lowered car with a body kit? Maybe 8cm. That’s less than the height of a typical speed bump.
• Take driveways slow. Even if your car looks good, hitting a raised edge at 10 km/h can break a lip.
• Check your body kit after every big bump. A small crack today becomes a full break tomorrow.

Body kits look amazing. But they’re fragile. Treat them like expensive glassware - beautiful, but easily shattered if you’re careless.

What Happens After You Move It

Once you get the car to a safe spot, don’t ignore the damage. Even if it looks minor, a cracked or loose body kit can:

• Let water into the wheel well, causing rust
• Alter airflow and hurt fuel efficiency
• Loosen mounting points, leading to more parts falling off
• Fail inspection if you’re getting your car checked

Most body kits are glued or bolted on. If the damage is small, you can repair it with fiberglass resin and a bit of sanding. But if the mount is broken, you’ll need new hardware. Some kits use factory mounting points - others use aftermarket brackets. Know which one yours is before you buy replacements.

Replacements for popular models (like the BMW M3 CSL or Toyota Supra) are easy to find. But if you’ve got a rare or custom kit, you might need to order from overseas. Lead time? Up to six weeks. That’s why fixing it fast matters.

Final Thought: It’s Not Just About Looks

People buy body kits because they want their car to stand out. But when you’re stuck on the side of the road, the only thing that matters is getting home. A body kit shouldn’t turn your dream car into a liability. If you’re going to run one, treat it like a tool - not just a decoration. Keep it clean, check it often, and never assume it’s indestructible.

Move a dead car? Yes. But don’t wait until you’re stuck to learn how.