Guide To Transporting A Car
ransporting a car is not an overly difficult task, but planning ahead and choosing the right car transporter or courier is essential to a successful move.
Service Type
When transporting a car, you have 3 main options – each of which will be examined in more detail below.
1) The car is driven to its destination on trade plates
2) The car is transported on a single car trailer
3) The car is transported on a multi-car trailer
Having the car driven to its destination, by a driver on trade plates can be the cheapest option – but there are disadvantages. It is more likely to be damaged en route, as is actually being driven on the road (although a good car transporter will of course be insured). Secondly, it will increase the mileage of the car, which may be significant for longer trips.
Having the car delivered on a single car trailer is likely to be the most expensive option, as the cost is not split with other customers. However, you will be more likely to find a car transporter on short notice, so this is the suitable option for urgent deliveries. If your vehicle is irreplaceable or particularly valuable, you may choose to have an enclosed trailer, but this option is more expensive.
Using a multi-car trailer should be the cheapest option, as the cost can be divided between many customers. Cars are transported around the UK and Europe daily, making this a good option. However, door to door delivery will be unlikely – with this method, the car transporter will generally deliver the car to a nearby hub, from where you can collect the car.
Price Comparison
Prices vary from company to company, so it pays off to compare prices of car transportation and shop around for quotes. Use our online marketplace to receive competitive, no obligation quotes from thousands of rated car transporters.
Insurance
It is essential to check the insurance policies of your car transportation company for all eventualities – accident, fire, theft etc. You should check not only the type of damage catered for, but the financial level of damage covered.
It’s worth checking if your current car insurance covers the car whilst in transport already, as some policies do. If not, it may be possible to insure the car during transport for an additional fee. Your own insurer may be more reliable than the transport company, so this is worth considering if only for your own peace of mind.
Are the car transport company trustworthy?
Once pricing and insurance are sorted out, you must establish that the car transport company are trustworthy, and can be trusted with such a valuable piece of equipment. Whilst problems seem to be rare, they can occur – so it is important to prevent them at the earliest stage. Simply “Googling” the company should bring up any worrying reviews, and if using Shiply, our feedback system allows a reassuring insight into their trustworthiness.
Terms of payment & deposits
Once the car transportation firm has been chosen, you will have to sort out payment terms. It is normal to pay a deposit of up to 25% at the early stages.
Read the small print
It is important to make sure that any promises, payment terms or “what happens if it goes wrong” details are written down and signed, so they can be enforced as a contract if need be. If you are unhappy with any of the terms in the contract, or they are inconsistent, ask for them to be changed.
Preparing your car for transport
Although the transporter will offer tips and guidance, these are the important things that should be done in preparation for transport.
1) Wash the car.
2) Make a note of any chips, dents or any other damage already done to the car.
3) Take dated photographs with a written record of any damage (and of course lacks of damage) done to the car.
You should also remove any personal items from the car, as these will most likely be uninsured during transportation. Particularly heavy items could also increase the weight, increasing the likelihood of damage in transport.
The car should also be in good working order to avoid delays or inconveniences – although it will be driven little (if at all), mechanical failures can cause substantial delay.
1) Check the tyres are fully inflated, and batteries charged.
2) Top up all mechanical fluids in the car, and if possible drain the petrol to all that is needed to save on weight.
3) If there are any leaks, be sure to let the car transporters know. If it is a non-dangerous leak, they will most likely put the car on the bottom shelf.
If the car has a soft or retractable roof, ensure that it is securely down, retract the antenna and move in any wing mirrors. If your car is alarmed, it will probably have a tow function, which disables the tilt alarm so that the car can be lifted without setting it off.
What happens next?
Before handing over your vehicle, ensure any damage is catalogued as described above. The car transport company will do the same, so make sure any damage is noted down and timestamped.
Check the mileage on the car before releasing it – although it may increase very slightly as it is loaded and unloaded, there should of course be no major inconcistency.
Upon delivery, inspect the vehicle meticulously. Ensure that there is no extra damage before signing the job off. Check for any additional damage, and remember to make sure there is none on the roof or the bumpers. If there is, make sure the driver or company sign a document acknowledging the damage, or recourse will be much more difficult.
Should damage in transit occur, you should follow the normal procedures with the transport company, to ensure the fastest possible resolution. If applicable, you must also inform your insurance company within 24 hours.
Post Delivery
Damage to the car during transport is rare, and a lack of co-operation should damage occur even less likely. Before attempting legal routes or other recourse, try to sort out any problems with the firm directly. Should the worst happen, agencies such as Trading Standards may be able to assist.
ransporting a car is not an overly difficult task, but planning ahead and choosing the right car transporter or courier is essential to a successful move.
Service Type
When transporting a car, you have 3 main options – each of which will be examined in more detail below.
1) The car is driven to its destination on trade plates
2) The car is transported on a single car trailer
3) The car is transported on a multi-car trailer
Having the car driven to its destination, by a driver on trade plates can be the cheapest option – but there are disadvantages. It is more likely to be damaged en route, as is actually being driven on the road (although a good car transporter will of course be insured). Secondly, it will increase the mileage of the car, which may be significant for longer trips.
Having the car delivered on a single car trailer is likely to be the most expensive option, as the cost is not split with other customers. However, you will be more likely to find a car transporter on short notice, so this is the suitable option for urgent deliveries. If your vehicle is irreplaceable or particularly valuable, you may choose to have an enclosed trailer, but this option is more expensive.
Using a multi-car trailer should be the cheapest option, as the cost can be divided between many customers. Cars are transported around the UK and Europe daily, making this a good option. However, door to door delivery will be unlikely – with this method, the car transporter will generally deliver the car to a nearby hub, from where you can collect the car.
Price Comparison
Prices vary from company to company, so it pays off to compare prices of car transportation and shop around for quotes. Use our online marketplace to receive competitive, no obligation quotes from thousands of rated car transporters.
Insurance
It is essential to check the insurance policies of your car transportation company for all eventualities – accident, fire, theft etc. You should check not only the type of damage catered for, but the financial level of damage covered.
It’s worth checking if your current car insurance covers the car whilst in transport already, as some policies do. If not, it may be possible to insure the car during transport for an additional fee. Your own insurer may be more reliable than the transport company, so this is worth considering if only for your own peace of mind.
Are the car transport company trustworthy?
Once pricing and insurance are sorted out, you must establish that the car transport company are trustworthy, and can be trusted with such a valuable piece of equipment. Whilst problems seem to be rare, they can occur – so it is important to prevent them at the earliest stage. Simply “Googling” the company should bring up any worrying reviews, and if using Shiply, our feedback system allows a reassuring insight into their trustworthiness.
Terms of payment & deposits
Once the car transportation firm has been chosen, you will have to sort out payment terms. It is normal to pay a deposit of up to 25% at the early stages.
Read the small print
It is important to make sure that any promises, payment terms or “what happens if it goes wrong” details are written down and signed, so they can be enforced as a contract if need be. If you are unhappy with any of the terms in the contract, or they are inconsistent, ask for them to be changed.
Preparing your car for transport
Although the transporter will offer tips and guidance, these are the important things that should be done in preparation for transport.
1) Wash the car.
2) Make a note of any chips, dents or any other damage already done to the car.
3) Take dated photographs with a written record of any damage (and of course lacks of damage) done to the car.
You should also remove any personal items from the car, as these will most likely be uninsured during transportation. Particularly heavy items could also increase the weight, increasing the likelihood of damage in transport.
The car should also be in good working order to avoid delays or inconveniences – although it will be driven little (if at all), mechanical failures can cause substantial delay.
1) Check the tyres are fully inflated, and batteries charged.
2) Top up all mechanical fluids in the car, and if possible drain the petrol to all that is needed to save on weight.
3) If there are any leaks, be sure to let the car transporters know. If it is a non-dangerous leak, they will most likely put the car on the bottom shelf.
If the car has a soft or retractable roof, ensure that it is securely down, retract the antenna and move in any wing mirrors. If your car is alarmed, it will probably have a tow function, which disables the tilt alarm so that the car can be lifted without setting it off.
What happens next?
Before handing over your vehicle, ensure any damage is catalogued as described above. The car transport company will do the same, so make sure any damage is noted down and timestamped.
Check the mileage on the car before releasing it – although it may increase very slightly as it is loaded and unloaded, there should of course be no major inconcistency.
Upon delivery, inspect the vehicle meticulously. Ensure that there is no extra damage before signing the job off. Check for any additional damage, and remember to make sure there is none on the roof or the bumpers. If there is, make sure the driver or company sign a document acknowledging the damage, or recourse will be much more difficult.
Should damage in transit occur, you should follow the normal procedures with the transport company, to ensure the fastest possible resolution. If applicable, you must also inform your insurance company within 24 hours.
Post Delivery
Damage to the car during transport is rare, and a lack of co-operation should damage occur even less likely. Before attempting legal routes or other recourse, try to sort out any problems with the firm directly. Should the worst happen, agencies such as Trading Standards may be able to assist.
