Preparing your car for shipping? Follow this simple vehicle preparation checklist before professional auto transport pickup.
How to Prepare Your Car for Auto Transport
Proper preparation can help make your vehicle shipping experience smoother.
Whether you’re shipping a car from Austin to another Texas city or transporting it across the country, spending a little time preparing your vehicle before pickup can prevent unnecessary complications.
1. Clean Your Vehicle
Wash the outside of your vehicle before pickup.
A clean exterior makes it easier to identify existing scratches, dents, paint damage, and other imperfections.
You should also clean the interior and remove unnecessary items.
2. Remove Personal Belongings
Remove personal belongings from the vehicle.
Items left inside the car can move during transportation and potentially cause damage.
Follow your transport provider’s instructions regarding anything that may remain in the vehicle.
3. Photograph the Vehicle
Take photographs of your vehicle from multiple angles before pickup.
Take close-up pictures of existing scratches, dents, chips, or other visible damage.
Keeping a record of the vehicle’s condition can be helpful during the pickup and delivery inspection process.
4. Check for Mechanical Problems
Tell your transport provider about any known mechanical problems.
If the vehicle doesn’t run, has steering issues, has brake problems, or has other conditions that could affect loading or unloading, this information should be communicated in advance.
5. Check Tire Pressure
Make sure the tires are appropriately inflated.
Properly inflated tires can make loading, unloading, and securing the vehicle easier.
6. Check for Fluid Leaks
Inspect underneath the vehicle for obvious leaks.
Notify the transport provider if you identify a significant leak or mechanical issue.
7. Disable the Alarm
If your vehicle has an alarm system, disable it before transportation or provide instructions for handling the alarm.
8. Keep the Keys Available
The driver will generally need the appropriate vehicle keys during pickup and delivery.
Keep the necessary keys ready and provide any important vehicle instructions.
Final Checklist
Before your car is picked up:
- Clean the vehicle
- Remove personal belongings
- Photograph existing damage
- Check tire pressure
- Check for obvious leaks
- Disclose mechanical problems
- Disable alarms
- Have the keys ready
- Confirm pickup and delivery details
Make Vehicle Shipping Easier
Preparing your car properly can make the transportation process more organized.
BlueAnchor Vehicle Transport offers open, enclosed, door-to-door, and state-to-state auto transport services for customers who need a convenient way to move their vehicles.