You booked your car shipment. The pickup date is set. Now what?
Most people think shipping a car is simple. Call a company, hand over the keys, done. But skipping a few key steps can lead to delays, damage claims, or unexpected costs.
The good news? Preparing your car takes about 30 minutes. And it can save you hours of headaches later.
Here’s exactly what to do before the transport truck arrives.
Why Preparation Matters
Auto transport companies move thousands of vehicles every week. At Number 1 Auto Transport, we’ve shipped over 50,000 cars in the past decade. We’ve seen it all.
The cars that arrive in perfect condition? Their owners followed a simple prep routine. The ones that cause problems? Usually skipped a step or two.
Proper prep protects your vehicle. It speeds up the inspection process. And it gives you solid documentation if anything goes wrong.
Let’s break it down.
The Complete Car Shipping Checklist
1. Clean Your Car Inside and Out
A clean car isn’t just about looks. It serves a real purpose.
Washing the exterior makes scratches, dents, and chips visible. This matters during the pre-pickup inspection. You want to document every existing mark before your car loads onto the trailer.
Dirt hides damage. A clean surface shows the truth.
Inside, remove trash and loose items. Vacuum the floors. Wipe down surfaces. Carriers aren’t responsible for personal belongings left in your vehicle. If something shifts during transit and damages your interior, that’s on you.
2. Remove All Personal Items
This step trips up more people than any other.
Your car isn’t a moving truck. Transport carriers have weight limits. They also have insurance restrictions. Personal items inside your vehicle typically aren’t covered.
Take out everything that isn’t bolted down:
- Phone chargers and mounts
- Garage door openers
- Toll transponders
- GPS units
- Sunglasses and valuables
- Paperwork and documents
- Sports equipment
- Child car seats
Leave the car as empty as possible. The only items that should remain are factory equipment and your spare tire.
3. Check for Mechanical Issues
Your car needs to roll. That’s the minimum requirement.
Carriers load and unload vehicles by driving them short distances. If your car won’t start, won’t steer, or won’t brake, you need to tell your transport company ahead of time.
Non-running vehicles require special equipment. Winches, dollies, or flatbed trucks. This adds cost and complexity. But hiding a mechanical problem causes bigger issues on pickup day.
Before your shipment, verify these basics:
- Battery holds a charge
- Engine starts reliably
- Brakes work properly
- Steering functions normally
- Transmission engages correctly
- Tires hold air
If anything fails these checks, call your transport coordinator. At Number 1 Auto Transport, we handle non-running vehicles regularly. We just need to know in advance so we send the right equipment.
4. Document Existing Damage
This step protects you more than anything else.
Walk around your entire vehicle with your phone. Take photos of every side, every angle, every panel. Get close-ups of any existing damage. Scratches, door dings, rock chips, windshield cracks. All of it.
Include timestamps on your photos. Take them the morning of pickup if possible.
These images become your proof. If you file a damage claim later, you’ll need before-and-after documentation. Without it, disputes become he-said-she-said situations.
Pro tip: Email the photos to yourself. This creates a dated record that’s hard to dispute.
5. Reduce Your Fuel Level
Keep your tank between one-quarter and one-eighth full.
Why? Weight.
Transport trailers carry multiple vehicles. Every pound matters. A full tank of gas adds 100 to 150 pounds to your car’s weight. Multiply that across eight or ten vehicles, and the numbers add up fast.
Less fuel also reduces fire risk during transit. It’s a small precaution, but safety matters.
Leave enough gas to drive off the trailer at delivery. A quarter tank handles that easily.
6. Disable or Remove Accessories
Aftermarket parts can cause problems during transport.
Roof racks, bike mounts, and cargo boxes add height. Transport trailers have clearance limits. That roof box that fits in your garage might not fit on a car carrier.
Other items to remove or secure:
- Spoilers that aren’t factory-installed
- Antenna toppers or decorations
- Bug shields and wind deflectors
- Loose side mirrors
- Custom wheels (consider swapping to stock)
If you can’t remove something, tell your transport company. They’ll factor it into the loading plan.
7. Check Fluid Levels and Look for Leaks
Top off essential fluids before pickup. Coolant, oil, brake fluid, power steering. Your car might sit on a trailer for several days. Proper fluid levels prevent mechanical stress.
More importantly, check for leaks.
A car dripping oil or coolant creates problems for vehicles parked below it on the trailer. Most carriers will refuse to load a leaking vehicle. It’s a liability issue.
If you spot a leak, get it fixed before your pickup date. Or at minimum, inform your transport coordinator so they can plan accordingly.
8. Turn Off Alarms and Anti-Theft Systems
Nothing annoys a transport driver more than an alarm that won’t stop.
Car alarms can trigger during loading, during transit, and during unloading. Vibrations, tilting, and movement all set off sensitive systems.
Before pickup, disable your alarm. Check your owner’s manual for instructions. Most systems have a valet mode that turns off the motion sensors.
If you can’t disable it, leave clear instructions with the driver. Write down the steps to silence the alarm if it goes off.
9. Fold In Mirrors and Retract Antennas
Create the smallest footprint possible.
Fold in side mirrors. Retract power antennas. Lower any adjustable suspension. The more compact your car, the easier it loads and the safer it travels.
Extended mirrors and antennas catch wind. They snag on straps. They bump against other vehicles. All avoidable problems.
10. Keep One Key With the Car
Your driver needs access to your vehicle.
Leave one key with the car during transport. Not in the ignition. Not on the dashboard. Hand it directly to the driver or place it in a secure spot you both agree on.
Keep a spare key for yourself. Some carriers require two sets. Check with your company ahead of time.
The Pre-Ship Inspection: Your Safety Net
At Number 1 Auto Transport, every vehicle goes through a detailed inspection at pickup. Our drivers use a standardized Bill of Lading that documents your car’s condition before it loads onto the trailer.
This inspection covers:
- All exterior panels and paint
- Windshield and window condition
- Tire and wheel status
- Mirror and light function
- Interior condition
- Any existing damage
You sign this document. The driver signs it. Both parties have a copy. When your car arrives at the destination, another inspection happens. Any new damage gets documented immediately.
This process protects everyone. It creates accountability. And it gives you clear recourse if something goes wrong.
What Happens If You Skip These Steps?
Unprepared cars cause delays. Delays cost money.
If your car isn’t ready at pickup time, the driver might have to leave without it. Rescheduling adds days to your timeline. It might change your quote.
Personal items left inside? They could disappear or cause damage. Neither situation ends well.
Undocumented existing damage? Good luck proving a scratch wasn’t there before.
Thirty minutes of prep time prevents all of this.
Final Thoughts
Shipping your car should be simple. For most people, it is.
The customers who have the smoothest experience are the ones who prepare. They clean their cars. They remove their stuff. They document everything. They communicate with their transport company.
At Number 1 Auto Transport, we’ve built our reputation on making vehicle shipping easy. Our team walks every customer through the process. We answer questions. We solve problems before they happen.
That’s why we’ve earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. It’s why we have over 1,000 five-star reviews on TransportReviews. And it’s why customers come back to us year after year.
Ready to ship your vehicle? Get a free quote today and experience the difference that real preparation and real service can make.
