New Survey Indicates Most U.S. Adults Sell Their Used Vehicles Despite Awareness Of Tax Credit Eligibility Of Car Donations

Kars4Kids, national car donation charity, offers insight to the benefits of donating

LAKEWOOD, NJ--April 4, 2013: A new Kars4Kids survey revealed that despite high awareness and knowledge (88%) of tax credit eligibility for making non-cash charitable donations, most U.S. adults opt to sell their used cars instead of donate them. The survey also indicated that only 10.5 percent of U.S. adults have donated a car. The study was conducted in a March 2013 survey among 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older.

Additional findings show that 94 percent of U.S. adults donate goods to charity by de-cluttering their homes more than once per year. Of the 94 percent who donate to charity, 36 percent of those surveyed claimed the garage is the space at home most in need of de-cluttering.

More than a quarter of respondents indicated that de-cluttering is the topic argued about most in their household. Despite the convenient and cost effective process of donating a car, only 5.4 percent of adults reported donating their used cars when they purchased a new one. Additionally, 4.6 percent of adults will keep their old cars and not use it, contributing to the clutter.

The survey also revealed that 69.4 percent of adults are making an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. However, of that number, only 6.5 percent of respondents purchased a hybrid vehicle. Furthermore, nearly 63 percent of those surveyed are not participating in one of the most effective ways to reduce their carbon footprint: donating an old vehicle for potential recycling.

As the leader in national charity car donations, Kars for Kids offers unique incentives as well as tax credit eligibility for donating used cars and reminds drivers of donating as an alternative option to selling or junking a vehicle. "We were surprised to learn that a very low number of adults donate their car to charity despite the financial and environmental benefits," said Avi Gordon, Chief Operating Officer of Kars4Kids. "Over 25 percent of vehicles on the road are used cars and they contribute to 75 percent of all harmful emissions." 

Kars 4 Kids is a non-profit organization that works to give back to the community through a variety of education, youth development, family outreach, and faith-based programs. They provide an array of services to children and families including educational programming, school placement, tuition assistance, mentorship programs, cultural activities, religious instruction, recreation and guidance counseling.