> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Delete a vehicle record

> Permanently remove a car from your facility when it was created by mistake or should no longer appear in your active inventory.

Deleting a car is a **permanent** step. Use it only when the record should not exist at all—for example a duplicate entry, a test vehicle, or a car that was added to the wrong facility.

This guide explains where the **Delete Permanently** button lives, what data is removed, and safer alternatives when you only need to hide a departed car from daily lists.

## What you will accomplish

You will permanently delete one car record and all data tied directly to that vehicle in your facility.

**Expected outcome:** The car no longer appears on [Cars](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/cars), parking maps, or customer-linked lists. This cannot be undone from the dashboard.

## When to delete vs. when to use another option

* **Delete permanently** when the record was created by mistake, is a duplicate, or is test data that should not exist.
* **Archive** (see [Archive or restore a vehicle](/docs/cars/archive-or-restore-a-vehicle.md)) when the vehicle sold or left your facility but you may need photos, activity, or billing history later.
* **Remove from spot** (see [Move a car](/docs/cars/move-a-car.md)) when the vehicle left your building today but the record should stay active with full history.
* **Update customer link** (see [View and edit vehicle details](/docs/cars/view-and-edit-vehicle-details.md)) when the car is correct but the wrong owner is attached.

> [!WARNING]
>
> **Try archive before permanent delete**
>
> Most teams **archive** departed cars instead of deleting them. Deleting removes photo sessions, activity history, and other data connected to the car. Ask a manager when you are unsure which option fits.

## Before you start

* Confirm with a manager or owner when the car has real customer history, invoices, or signed contracts.
* Make sure you opened the correct vehicle from [Cars](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/cars).
* Your role must allow deleting cars. If you do not see the **Danger Zone**, ask an admin about permissions.

![Cars list page showing multiple vehicles with View buttons in each row](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS/images/cars/cars-list-populated-fresh.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS\&q=85\&s=bf17c242ec9b23c01aa19c7127ad0e89)

*Start on [Cars](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/cars). Click **View** on the vehicle you need to remove—double-check year, make, model, and plate before you scroll to **Danger Zone**.*

## Delete a car from the record

**1. Open the car record**

Go to [Cars](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/cars) and click **View** on the vehicle you need to remove.

**Expected result:** The car detail page opens. Double-check the year, make, model, and VIN before continuing.

**2. Scroll to Danger Zone**

Scroll to the very bottom of the page past **Vehicle Details**, **Activity Feed**, and **Notes**.

Look for the red **Danger Zone** heading with the subtitle **Irreversible and destructive actions**.

You will see two sections:

* **Archive Vehicle** — hides the car from your daily list but keeps history (see [Archive or restore a vehicle](/docs/cars/archive-or-restore-a-vehicle.md))
* **Delete Vehicle Permanently** — removes the record forever

**3. Click Delete Permanently**

In the **Delete Vehicle Permanently** row, click the red **Delete Permanently** button.

**Expected result:** A confirmation window titled **Permanently delete car?** appears. It warns that the action cannot be undone and will remove photo sessions and associated data.

**4. Confirm only when you are certain**

Read the message carefully. Click **Cancel** if you changed your mind—or if **Archive** is the better choice.

When you are sure, confirm permanent deletion in the dialog.

**Expected outcome:** The app deletes the record and returns you to the [Cars list](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/cars). The vehicle no longer appears in search results—even when you show archived cars.

![Danger Zone section at the bottom of a car detail page showing Archive Vehicle above Delete Vehicle Permanently](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS/images/cars/cars-archive-danger-zone-fresh.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS\&q=85\&s=bc9dbc4df877db3f80d2b428ed9e45b0)

***Archive Vehicle** sits above **Delete Vehicle Permanently**. Most departed cars should be archived—not permanently deleted.*

![Permanently delete car confirmation dialog warning that the action cannot be undone](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS/images/cars/cars-delete-permanently-dialog-fresh.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS\&q=85\&s=6950d8b869c055c331026b034d9b0d94)

*The confirmation window gives you one last chance to stop. Read it carefully before you confirm permanent deletion.*

## What gets removed

> [!NOTE]
>
> Deleting a car permanently removes the vehicle record and associated data such as:
>
> * Photo sessions and walkthrough images tied to this car
> * Activity and event history on this record
> * Parking assignment for this vehicle
> * Parts entries and notes on the car page
>
> Customer records, invoices already issued, and contracts may still exist separately. Deleting the car does not automatically delete the customer or erase all billing history. Ask a manager if billing or legal records are involved.

## Troubleshooting

> [!WARNING]
>
> **I do not see Danger Zone**
>
> Your account may be read-only or missing delete permission. Contact a facility owner or admin. You can still update most fields with [View and edit vehicle details](/docs/cars/view-and-edit-vehicle-details.md).

> [!WARNING]
>
> **Delete failed or the car is still visible**
>
> Refresh [Cars](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/cars). If the record remains, you may lack permission or another teammate recreated it. Contact support or a manager with the car VIN and a screenshot of the error.

> [!TIP]
>
> **The car left but I want to keep history**
>
> Do not delete permanently. Use [Archive or restore a vehicle](/docs/cars/archive-or-restore-a-vehicle.md) to hide the car from daily lists, or use **Remove from Spot** in [Move a car](/docs/cars/move-a-car.md) when the record should stay active without a parking assignment.

## What to do next

* If you removed a duplicate, search [Cars](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/cars) for the correct record and link the customer there.
* If a customer’s car left your facility, prefer [Archive or restore a vehicle](/docs/cars/archive-or-restore-a-vehicle.md) instead of permanent delete.
* Export your remaining inventory with [Export your vehicle inventory report](/docs/cars/export-your-vehicle-inventory-report.md) when an owner or insurer needs a full list.


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