What Should You Look For When Shipping a Car?

Whether you’re relocating, selling a car or purchasing one interstate, understanding the key things to look for when shipping a car will ensure your car arrives safely and on time.

This article covers everything you need to know to prepare your vehicle when shipping a car.

Choosing the Right Shipping Company

Learn About Car Shipping Options

Before selecting a carrier, it’s important to understand the types of services available:

• Open vs. Enclosed Transport: Open carriers are more affordable but expose your car to weather and road debris. Enclosed transport offers more protection and is ideal for luxury or classic cars.
• Door-to-Door vs. Depot-to-Depot: Door-to-door service offers convenience, but terminal-to-terminal may be less expensive if you’re willing to drop off and pick up your vehicle from a designated location.

Carrier Expertise

Choose a company with experience and expertise in shipping your type of vehicle. This is especially important for specialty or inoperable vehicles.

Check Reviews and Complaints

Research companies online using third party review platforms like Product Review and Google Business listings.

Look for patterns in complaints like locations, recency and see how companies respond to customer issues.

Communication

Good communication is absolutely essential. A reputable company should be responsive, provide clear timelines and offer a detailed contract outlining all terms and conditions.

Need a Quote?

Get quotes from multiple companies. Compare pricing, insurance coverage and services included. Be cautious of quotes that are significantly lower than others and they may come with hidden costs or less-than-satisfactory service.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Shipping

Clean the Car

Giving your car a thorough wash, both inside and outside, is an important step in preparing your vehicle for shipping.

Washing the exterior dirt, dust and grime that may have accumulated over time. It not only improves the overall appearance of your car, it also allows for a clearer visual inspection of the exterior surface. By removing dirt and debris, you provide a clean canvas for identifying any scratches, dents or imperfections that may already be present.

Cleaning the interior of your car is equally important. Vacuum the floors and seats to remove any dirt, debris or loose items. Wipe down surfaces, including the dashboard, centre console and door panels, to present a neat and organised interior. Removing personal items and clutter also means you create a safer environment during transportation.

Inspect the Vehicle

A thorough inspection of your vehicle before shipping is one of the most important steps in the preparation process. It not only helps protect you in the event of a damage claim but also sets a clear baseline for your car’s condition prior to transit.

Photograph and document any dents, scratches or mechanical issues. This will help you verify the condition of your car when it arrives at its destination.

Document Your Mileage

Record your odometer reading before handing your vehicle over to the carrier to ensure your car wasn’t driven unnecessarily. This is an important reference point in case of disputes.

Remove Personal Belongings

Some companies will transport your vehicle with personal belongings in it. We recommend exercising caution and removing all personal items from your car. They include:

• Loose items in the boot, glove compartment and storage areas.
• Accessories like GPS devices, toll tags and any aftermarket add-ons like bike racks, rear view mirror accessories and dashcams.

Quarantine regulations in states like WA may lead to delays or additional fees if you have large and unnecessary items in the car.

Remove Accessories

Accessories that protrude from the vehicle can be vulnerable to damage from contact with other vehicles or objects during transit.

Remove or secure loose parts such as spoilers, roof racks, bike racks and antennas. These can be damaged or equally, cause damage to other vehicles during transport.

While car transport companies take precautions to ensure the safe handling of vehicles, removing or securing accessories adds an extra layer of protection and give you peace of mind.

Deactivate or Remove Toll Passes

If you have an electronic toll device, turn it off or remove it from your vehicle. This will prevent unintended charges during transit.

Check for Leaks

Check your vehicle for fluid leaks. Have them fixed before the driver picks up your vehicle, as carriers may refuse to load vehicles that appear unsafe or could damage other cars.

Advise the shipping company, however minor it may seem to you. The need to know so they can make a note place your vehicle on the bottom row of the trailer. Otherwise, your car may be put on the top of the trailer and may end up dripping fluids onto the cars below.

Fix Mechanical Issues

Ensure the vehicle starts, runs and steers properly (unless it is being shipped as non-drivable).

Let the carrier know of any mechanical issues in advance.

Addressing any mechanical problems before shipping your vehicle is essential to ensure a smooth loading, transport and unloading process. While your car won’t be driven long distances during shipment, it still needs to be operational enough to be moved safely and efficiently. Here’s what you should check for:

• Ensure the car starts and drives;
• Ensure brakes are responsive and not squeaking, grinding or leaking brake fluid;
• Ensure the transmission is smooth shifting;
• Ensure the steering is responsive and doesn’t pull sharply in one direction;
• Ensure all tires are properly inflated and inspect for uneven wear, flat spots or punctures;
• Ensure there are nor dashboard warning lights;
• Ensure there are no suspension issues like exessive bouncing or strange noises;

Check Your Tyres

Make sure your tires are properly inflated and in good condition to facilitate loading and unloading.

The car shipping company needs to be able to drive your car onto the transport truck and you want to make sure it’s drivable when it arrives at your destination.

Battery Maintenance

Double-check your battery to make sure its fully charged and fastened. Loose batteries can be hazardous and lead to damage and if your battery is flat and the car doesn’t start, it will cost more to transport.

Don’t Fill Your Fuel Tank

Leave about a quarter of a tank of fuel in the vehicle. This is sufficient for loading/unloading.

Too much fuel will increase the weight of the vehicle, which can make the transportation less efficient transportation and potentially increase costs. 

Additionally, maintaining a lower fuel level helps to mitigate potential hazards during transit. A fuller gas tank increases the risk of fuel leakage or fumes, which could pose safety concerns.

Disable Alarms

Turn off any alarm systems to avoid unnecessary disruptions during transport. The last thing the driver wants to deal with is a vehicle with an alarm going off that he can’t easily get to (or an alarm he doesn’t know how to shut off once he gets to the vehicle).

Have Keys Ready

It might seem obvious but provide the driver with all keys necessary to operate the vehicle; including ignition, boot and glovebox keys.

Special Considerations

Inoperable Vehicles

If your vehicle is not operational, inform the shipping company in advance. Special equipment such as winches or forklifts may be needed and additional fees often apply.

Vehicle Preparation

Some shipping companies may have specific preparation requirements. Be sure to follow any additional instructions provided.

Get more information on Vehicle Condition Reports: What’s Import to Know.

Insurance and Liability

Insurance Coverage

Verify the shipping company’s insurance policy. Ask for proof of coverage and review what is and isn’t covered, including deductible information.

Have Insurance on Your Vehicle

Keep your own car insurance active during transit. It may provide additional protection and some policies offer shipping-related coverage.