How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Transport

Why Preparation Matters

Shipping a vehicle is straightforward, but a little preparation goes a long way toward ensuring a smooth, damage-free experience. Whether you are shipping a daily driver across the country or moving a classic car to a new home, these steps will protect your vehicle and make the process seamless for everyone involved.

Most issues that arise during auto transport can be traced back to skipped preparation. A few minutes of effort before pickup day can save you hours of headaches later.

Step 1: Wash Your Vehicle Thoroughly

This is not about vanity. A clean vehicle makes it significantly easier to document existing scratches, dents, and chips during the pre-transport inspection. Dirt and grime can hide minor damage that you will want on record before your car is loaded onto a carrier.

Take photos of every panel, the roof, the hood, and the bumpers after washing. Store these photos with timestamps so you have a clear baseline if you need to file a claim.

Step 2: Document Existing Damage

Walk around your vehicle with your phone camera and capture:

• All four corners at close range
• Every panel including the roof
• Wheels and tires for curb rash or low tread
• Windshield for any chips or cracks
• Interior dashboard showing the current mileage

Your driver will also complete a Bill of Lading (BOL) inspection at pickup, but your own photos serve as an independent record.

Step 3: Remove Personal Belongings

Carrier insurance does not cover personal items inside your vehicle. Remove everything that is not permanently attached, including:

• Phone chargers, sunglasses, and GPS devices
• Aftermarket electronics like dashcams or radar detectors
• Toll transponders (to avoid unwanted charges in transit)
• Loose items in the trunk or back seat

Most carriers allow up to 100 pounds of personal items in the trunk, but we strongly recommend keeping the vehicle empty. Loose items can shift during transport and cause interior damage.

Step 4: Check Mechanical Basics

Your vehicle needs to be driveable so it can be loaded onto and off the carrier. Make sure:

• Battery is charged and the car starts reliably
• Tires are properly inflated
• Fluids are not leaking (oil, coolant, brake fluid)
• Brakes, steering, and transmission work

If your vehicle is not operable, let your broker know upfront. Non-running vehicles require special equipment like a winch or forklift, which may affect pricing and carrier availability.

Step 5: Reduce Fuel Level

Keep your gas tank between one-quarter and one-eighth full. A full tank adds hundreds of pounds of unnecessary weight, which affects carrier load limits and can increase your cost. You only need enough fuel to drive the car on and off the trailer at each end.

Step 6: Disable Alarms and Secure Loose Parts

If your vehicle has an aftermarket alarm system, disable it or leave instructions for the driver. An alarm going off in transit is disruptive and can drain your battery.

For vehicles with removable accessories like antennas, spoilers, or bike racks, remove them or secure them tightly. Fold in your side mirrors if they are manually adjustable. Retract or remove any aftermarket roof racks.

Step 7: Keep a Spare Key Available

Provide the driver with a spare key or a copy. This ensures the vehicle can be moved at delivery even if there is a key fob battery issue. You will get it back at delivery along with your primary key.

Day-of Checklist

• Vehicle washed and photographed
• Personal items removed
• Fuel at one-quarter tank or less
• Alarm disabled
• Spare key ready
• Loose accessories removed or secured
• Review and sign the Bill of Lading with the driver

Pro tip: Be present at both pickup and delivery to inspect the vehicle with the driver. Sign the BOL only after you have reviewed the condition notes together.