Getting a car ready for transport takes less than an hour, and it is the best protection you have. A vehicle that is clean, documented, and empty is quick to load and easy to inspect. Work through these ten steps a day or two before your pickup window opens.
1. Wash the car
Dirt hides scratches and chips. A clean car lets you and the driver see its true condition, which makes the inspection report accurate. You do not need a full detail. A basic wash is enough.
2. Photograph everything
Take clear, dated photos in good light. Capture each side, the front, the rear, the roof, the hood, all four wheels, the interior, and the odometer. Add close-ups of any existing marks. These photos are your own record, alongside the one the driver makes.
3. Remove personal belongings
Take everything out of the cabin and the trunk. The carrier's cargo insurance covers the vehicle and not the things inside it. Loose items can also shift in transit and damage the interior, and extra weight can cause trouble for the truck at a weigh station.
4. Take off loose accessories
Remove toll transponders, parking passes, phone mounts, removable antennas, bike racks, and roof boxes. Fold in the mirrors. If you have a convertible, close and latch the top. Anything that can catch the wind should come off or be secured.
5. Leave about a quarter tank of fuel
The driver needs enough fuel to load and unload the car and for you to reach a station afterward. More than that only adds weight. For an electric vehicle, about half a charge is the equivalent.
6. Check the battery and the tires
The car should start easily and roll freely. A weak battery or a soft tire can turn a ten-minute loading into an hour. Top up the tire pressure and replace a battery that is on its last legs.
7. Look for leaks
On an open carrier, your car may ride above another one. A vehicle that drips oil, coolant, or transmission fluid can damage the car beneath it. Fix leaks if you can. If you cannot, tell your dispatcher so the driver can place the car on the lower deck.
8. Disable the alarm
An alarm that goes off on a moving trailer drains the battery and irritates everyone within earshot. Switch it off, or leave the driver written instructions for doing so.
9. Prepare the keys and a note
The driver needs one set of keys. Keep the spare yourself. If the car has any quirks, such as a tricky ignition, a hidden battery switch, or a parking brake that sticks, write them on a card and leave it on the seat.
10. Be ready for the inspection
When the driver arrives, the two of you will walk around the car and note its condition on a document called the bill of lading. Take your time. Read it before you sign, and keep your copy. At delivery you will repeat the process, and anything new should be written on that same document before you sign for the car.
A few special cases
- Cars that do not run. Tell your dispatcher when you book. The carrier will bring a winch, and it helps to know whether the car rolls, steers, and brakes.
- Lowered or modified cars. Give the ground clearance and any changes to the height or width, so the right ramps are sent.
- Vehicles with air suspension. Set them to normal or raised height and mention it to the driver.
- If you cannot be there. Choose an adult you trust to meet the driver, and walk them through this list.
What you do not need to do
You do not need to drain the fuel, disconnect the battery, or hand over the title or registration. Keep your documents with you. You also do not need to buy extra insurance in most cases, though it is sensible to ask your own insurer how your policy treats a car in transit.
That is the whole list. Ten small tasks, and your car is ready to travel.