Maybe it quit running three summers ago. Maybe storm surge sat in your garage for a day and the cart hasn't moved since. Either way, you want to get rid of an old golf cart, and in Florida that comes with a few wrinkles: batteries that can't go in the trash, HOA rules, and storm debris crews that aren't set up to haul it. Here are your real options.
What are my options to get rid of an old golf cart?
There are five realistic routes, each with its own trade-off in money, time and effort.
1. Sell it to a buyer who picks it up
For most people this is the simplest choice. A buyer who specializes in old and damaged carts reviews photos, makes an offer and hauls the cart away, so you don't need a trailer or a running cart. Junk golf cart pickup also means the batteries leave with the cart, which solves the hardest disposal problem in one step.
2. Take it to a scrap yard
A scrap yard pays for metal by weight, so you'll typically get scrap value and nothing extra for the motor, seats or other usable parts, and you'll need to haul the cart there yourself. Call ahead, since yards differ on golf carts and batteries. Expect paperwork too: Florida law requires scrap metal recyclers to record your ID and thumbprint and to have you sign a statement that you own what you're selling (section 538.19, Florida Statutes).
3. Part it out yourself
Selling parts one at a time can bring in more money if you have the tools, space and patience, but pulling, listing and shipping heavy parts takes time. When you're done, you still have a bare frame and batteries to dispose of properly.
4. Donate it
Some charities and vehicle donation programs accept golf carts. Before you commit, ask whether they take carts that don't run, who arranges pickup, and what they do with the batteries. If a tax deduction matters to you, ask a tax professional how it would apply.
5. Put it out with storm debris? Usually not.
After a hurricane, it's tempting to drag a ruined cart to the curb with the drywall and branches. County storm debris programs are strict about what they take. Pinellas County, for example, lists lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries and gasoline or fuel among storm debris items it does not accept, and Hillsborough County excludes household hazardous waste such as car batteries. A golf cart carries batteries, and gas carts carry fuel, so check with your county or city and plan on another route for the cart itself.
Can golf cart batteries go in the trash in Florida?
No. Florida law prohibits disposing of lead-acid batteries in landfills or waste-to-energy facilities (section 403.708, Florida Statutes), and stores that sell lead-acid batteries must accept used ones as trade-ins. Lithium batteries don't belong in household trash or recycling bins either. The EPA warns they can be crushed or damaged during collection and sorting and start fires.
If you pull the batteries yourself, take lead-acid batteries to a battery recycler or your county's household hazardous waste drop-off, and contact the manufacturer, dealer or installer about a lithium pack. Or leave the batteries in the cart and let the buyer handle them. If you're curious where they end up, here's what happens to a junk golf cart after it's sold.
Is a storm-damaged golf cart dangerous?
It can be, especially with lithium batteries. After Hurricane Ian in 2022, Florida's then Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal, Jimmy Patronis, issued a consumer alert, shared by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, warning that lithium batteries in golf carts, electric vehicles and scooters can catch fire after saltwater submersion. If your cart sat in floodwater, and saltwater surge in particular:
- Don't turn it on, charge it, or plug or unplug it.
- If you can do it safely, get it outdoors and away from your house, garage and other structures.
- Watch for heat, smoke, hissing, popping or a swelling battery case.
- If the battery is smoking or burning, move away and call 911.
- Have someone experienced with damaged lithium carts handle the move.
If the cart is insured, call your insurer before you sell or scrap it, since a paid claim may give them a say in what happens to it. We work with insurance companies on storm and flood losses.
Will my HOA make me move an old golf cart?
It might. Many HOA documents restrict storing inoperable vehicles, equipment or junk where neighbors can see it, and some cities have similar code enforcement rules. A dead cart under a tarp in the side yard can draw a violation letter. Read your covenants or call your management company, and check your city or county code if you aren't in an HOA.
If you're on an HOA board and the community owns a fleet of worn-out carts, the same options apply on a bigger scale. We buy whole fleets as well as single carts.
What paperwork do I need to sell a golf cart in Florida?
Usually less than for a car. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), golf carts are not required to be titled or registered. A cart that's been converted and registered as a low-speed vehicle (LSV) is different: LSVs must be titled, registered and insured, so you'd sign the title over just like a car.
For a regular golf cart, a simple bill of sale does the job. Include:
- Your name and the buyer's name
- The date of sale
- Make, model, year if known, and serial number
- A line saying the cart is sold as-is
- Both signatures
Keep a copy, and cancel any insurance on the cart once it's gone. This is general information, not legal advice. FLHSMV, your county tax collector or an attorney can answer questions about your situation.
The easiest golf cart removal in Florida
For most owners, golf cart removal in Florida comes down to who does the work. We buy carts in any condition (running, dead, flooded or wrecked) nationwide, with a strong focus on Florida. We offer on-site evaluation, handle pickup and removal, and recycle the batteries, metal and reusable parts responsibly. You can sell your old golf cart in Florida without lifting it onto a trailer.
Ready to clear out the garage? Get a free quote or call 954-350-0440. There's no obligation, and sending a few photos of the cart, the battery compartment and where it's parked gets you a faster, more accurate offer.