How to Prepare Your Car Before Transportation

Confirm access and the car’s condition

Check the collection address, contact and proposed window. Explain gate permissions, height restrictions, steep ramps and narrow approaches. A carrier may need an accessible meeting point, so establish the handover location before the collection day. Nominate an authorised person if you cannot attend.

Report whether the car starts, rolls, steers and brakes normally. Tell the team about a puncture, discharged battery, leak or warning that may affect handling. Do not book an ordinary collection while withholding a recovery requirement. If the vehicle’s condition changes after quotation, update the provider before the collection team arrives.

Clean and record the visible condition

Clean the car enough to reveal existing marks without applying a treatment that makes inspection difficult. Take photographs in good light of the front, rear, both sides, wheels, glass, lights and interior. Capture the roof from a safe position; do not climb onto an unstable surface to obtain a photograph.

Add close-ups of existing scratches or dents and a wider view showing their location. Record the odometer, dashboard warnings, visible fuel or battery level and any known non-working feature. Save the original files with the booking reference and give the receiving person access to the relevant record. A short walkaround video can supplement these photographs.

Empty personal belongings and identify accepted accessories

Remove cash, valuables, important documents, electronics and household luggage. Check the glovebox, boot, door pockets, centre console and under seats. Do not assume items hidden inside the car are accepted or covered. If an accessory must travel, declare it and ask how it will be listed and protected.

Discuss detachable roof carriers, external accessories and loose trim before removing anything. Ask who performs any agreed removal and reattachment and whether specialist assistance is needed. Keep small parts labelled against the vehicle. A car should not become an undeclared parcel container simply because there is space in the boot.

Agree fuel, battery and access instructions

Ask for the provider’s fuel requirement and the proposed local driving and loading arrangement. Do not assume a full tank is necessary or that every carrier has the same policy. Never leave spare fuel or other dangerous materials inside the car. Report any leak before handover and arrange competent assistance.

For an electric or hybrid vehicle, disclose the exact model and any battery warning, damage or modification. Obtain preparation instructions suitable for that vehicle and transport arrangement. Do not improvise battery isolation, emergency towing or transport mode settings. Use the manufacturer’s guidance or an authorised service professional where needed.

Explain necessary access or starting procedures to the authorised team. Keep unrelated keys and credentials out of the handover. Do not disable safety systems or change settings without understanding the correct procedure.

Prepare keys, documents and the handover sheet

Agree which key accompanies the vehicle, and retain a spare under your control where possible. Remove house, office and other unrelated keys. Confirm how the key is acknowledged and how the recipient will receive it. Make any owner authorisation ready before the team comes to collect the car.

Use our car transport documents guide to organise the records requested for your booking. Read the collection sheet before signing and ensure it identifies the correct car, existing condition, key and accepted accessories. Ask for a copy and keep it with the quotation and receipts.

Prepare the receiver at the same time

• Send the recipient the booking and pickup condition record.
• Confirm the destination address, PIN code and access.
• Make sure they can inspect the vehicle at handover.
• List the key and any separately recorded accessories.
• Share the booking contact and any issued LR.

If the recipient will be unavailable, agree a revised arrangement early. Do not assume the car can be left with building staff or an unnamed person. For a question about scope, read door-to-door car transportation. For condition checks at arrival, use the delivery checklist.

Request a plan through Car Transportation or Get a Quote, with the model, running condition and both PIN codes. Preparation is most useful when it matches the actual collection and transport arrangement.