Before your vehicle gets picked up, there are a few key steps that will protect you, your car, and the carrier. Here's exactly what to do.
Clean Your Car Inside and Out
Wash your car thoroughly before pickup. This isn't just about aesthetics — a clean car makes it much easier to document existing scratches, dents, or chips during the pre-shipping inspection. A dirty car can obscure pre-existing damage, which could cause disputes after delivery. Clean the interior too. Remove all personal belongings from the cabin, glove box, trunk, and any storage compartments. Most carriers prohibit items left inside the vehicle, and any personal items left in the car are not covered by the carrier's insurance.
Photograph Everything Before Pickup
Do a thorough 360-degree walkthrough of your vehicle with your phone camera before the carrier arrives. Take photos of every panel, the roof, the undercarriage if possible, and close-ups of any existing damage. Also photograph the wheels, tires, bumpers, and mirrors. Upload these photos to a cloud service immediately so they're timestamped. If there are any discrepancies at delivery, your photos serve as your primary evidence.
Check Fluid Levels and Tire Pressure
Make sure your car has adequate oil, coolant, and brake fluid before shipping. While carriers don't drive your vehicle long distances, it needs to be driven onto and off of the trailer. Low tire pressure can make this difficult and may damage the tires. Keep your fuel tank at about a quarter full — enough to drive it on and off the carrier, but light enough to not add unnecessary weight.
Disable Alarms and Note Any Quirks
If your car has a security alarm, disable it or leave instructions for the carrier. An alarm going off on an open transport trailer is not ideal. Also note any quirks: a sticky parking brake, a touchy hood latch, or a key fob that needs a hard press. Leave this information with the driver at pickup so they can handle your car safely.
Remove or Secure Accessories
Fold in your mirrors, remove roof racks, bike racks, spoilers, and any external accessories that could be damaged or could damage other vehicles on the transport. Retractable antennas should be fully retracted. Convertibles should have the roof up and secured.
Keep a Spare Key Ready
Have a spare key made if you only have one. Give one key to the driver and keep one for yourself. While rare, lost keys do happen during transit, and having a spare prevents a stressful situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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