Vehicle Preparation — Car Shipping FAQs

Twenty minutes of preparation prevents most of the things that go wrong on collection day. Each step below has a reason, because a list without reasons gets skimmed.

Before collection day

Wash the vehicle. Not cosmetic. The driver documents existing damage on the bill of lading with you present, and you cannot document a scratch through road dirt. A dirty car at pickup weakens your own record if you ever need to raise a claim.

Photograph it yourself. Dated, every angle, close on any existing damage, plus the wheels and the roof. The carrier's record should not be your only record. This takes five minutes and it is the single most useful thing you will do.

Leave roughly a quarter tank of fuel. Enough to load, move and unload; not so much that you are paying to transport weight. Fuel is heavy and every gallon counts toward the trailer's legal limit.

Remove all personal items. Federal regulation prohibits carriers from transporting household goods inside a shipped vehicle, and cargo insurance does not cover them. You will see companies advertise a weight allowance as a perk — our position follows the regulation, and our Terms make anything left inside your responsibility including any damage or fines it causes.

Disable toll tags and alarms. A transponder will bill you for every gantry the truck passes. An alarm that triggers in transit cannot be turned off by the driver.

Retract or remove aerials, spoilers and racks. Non-factory aerials that do not retract close to the body are excluded from cover under our Terms, as are add-on audio and video equipment. Removing them protects you and often saves deck space.

Note any leaks. Tell us at quote stage. A leaking vehicle can damage what is below it on the trailer, and our Terms exclude damage caused by leaking fluids.

Check tyre pressures and the battery. The vehicle needs to move on and off under control. A car that has been standing for months frequently will not start — tell us in advance and it is routine, discover it at the kerb and it is a problem.

Fold in the mirrors, and remove loose trim.

Have the keys ready — one set for the driver.

On the day

Be there, or nominate someone properly. You or an authorised adult must attend collection and delivery to inspect the vehicle and sign the bill of lading. Whoever attends is signing the condition record, so brief them to inspect carefully rather than sign clean.

Inspect in good light at delivery. This is the moment that decides whether a claim is possible. Damage must be noted on the bill of lading and signed by both the driver and you at delivery — raising it afterwards will not support a claim.

Frequently asked questions

How do I prepare my car for shipping? Wash it, photograph it from every angle with a date stamp, leave about a quarter tank of fuel, remove all personal items, disable toll tags and alarms, retract aerials and racks, and note any existing leaks or damage.

How much fuel should I leave in the tank? Around a quarter. Enough for loading and unloading, and no more — fuel is weight, and weight counts toward the trailer's legal limit.

Can I leave personal items in my car? No. Federal regulation prohibits carriers from moving household goods in a shipped vehicle and cargo insurance does not cover them. Under our Terms anything shipped without our knowledge is your responsibility, including damage or fines it causes.

Why do I need to wash the car first? So the condition inspection actually records something. Damage cannot be documented through dirt, and the bill of lading is the controlling record if you ever need to claim.

Should I take photographs? Yes. Dated, every angle, close on existing damage. It costs five minutes and it is your independent record alongside the carrier's.

Do I need to be present at pickup and delivery? You or a nominated adult, at both ends. The vehicle is inspected and the bill of lading signed each time.

What if my car will not start? Tell us at quote stage. A non-running vehicle needs a winch-equipped carrier, which is a smaller pool and a different price. It is routine — the problem is only discovering it on the day.

Should I disable the alarm? Yes. An alarm triggering in transit cannot be silenced by the driver.

What about my toll transponder? Remove it or bag it. It will otherwise bill you for the truck's entire route.

Do I need to remove the roof rack? Where you can. Non-factory add-ons are excluded from cover under our Terms and they add height, which occasionally matters.

What does the driver record at collection? The driver walks the vehicle and records existing damage on the bill of lading with you present. At delivery the condition is checked again against that record before you sign.

What if I find damage after signing? Considerably harder to resolve. Note it on the bill of lading at delivery, signed by both you and the driver, and contact us within 48 hours. Full process: Terms & Conditions.

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