Preparing your vehicle for transport
Eight things to do before the driver arrives. The first two take fifteen minutes and are what protect you if there is ever a question about damage.
To prepare a vehicle for auto transport: wash it so existing damage is visible, photograph every panel and the interior with timestamps, remove all personal belongings, remove or secure loose exterior accessories, leave about a quarter tank of fuel, check for and report fluid leaks, disable the alarm and remove toll transponders, and have a working key plus your documents ready for the driver at pickup.
The first four
Wash the vehicle
Counterintuitive but important. A clean vehicle makes existing scratches, dings, and chips visible at the pickup inspection. Dirt hides exactly the damage you want documented.
Photograph everything
Every panel, all four wheels, the roof, the interior, and the odometer, with timestamps on. This takes five minutes and is the best insurance you have.
Remove all personal items
Carriers are licensed to haul vehicles, not household goods, and items inside are generally not covered. Empty the cabin and the trunk unless you have specifically agreed otherwise.
Remove or secure loose exterior parts
Roof racks, bike racks, spoilers, antennas, and anything else that could catch wind or catch on the carrier. Fold the mirrors.
And the last four
Leave about a quarter tank of fuel
Enough to load, unload, and drive away. More than that is dead weight the carrier is paying to haul, and weight limits are real.
Check for leaks and mechanical issues
A leaking vehicle can be refused, because it drips onto the vehicle below it on the deck. Note any known issue when you book.
Disable the alarm and toll transponder
An alarm that goes off repeatedly in transit is a genuine problem for the driver. Remove or bag toll tags so you are not billed for the carrier's route.
Have your keys and documents ready
The driver needs a working key. Have registration and insurance information available, and be ready to sign the bill of lading.
The single most valuable fifteen minutes
Wash it, then photograph it. A clean, well-photographed vehicle with a timestamped record is the difference between a damage claim that resolves quickly and one that turns into an argument about whether the scratch was already there. Nobody regrets doing this. Plenty of people regret not doing it.
Frequently asked
Can I really not put anything in the car?
As a rule, no. Carriers are licensed and insured for vehicles, not household goods, and items in the vehicle are typically not covered by cargo insurance. Some carriers permit a small amount in the trunk, often under about 100 pounds, but it must be agreed in advance rather than assumed.
Why only a quarter tank of fuel?
Weight. A full tank on every vehicle across a nine-car load is several hundred pounds against a legal limit, and it is weight nobody is being paid to move. A quarter tank is enough to load, unload, and drive away.
What if my vehicle has existing damage?
That is completely fine and it is exactly why the inspection exists. Make sure every bit of it is marked on the condition report at pickup. Documented pre-existing damage protects both you and the carrier.
What if the vehicle does not start on pickup day?
Tell us before pickup day if there is any doubt. A non-running vehicle needs a winch-equipped carrier, which is a different assignment. A driver who arrives to find a vehicle that will not load is a wasted dispatch and a reschedule for you.
Two ways to start
Businesses that ship regularly get lane pricing and portal access. Everyone else can price a single vehicle in about a minute.
I ship for my business
Movers, dealers, RMCs, auctions, fleets. Contract pricing and the Clutch Transport Portal.