Every week, customers come into the shop with the same question before a big move or a cross-country shipment: “Is my car ready to be transported?” It’s a good question, and one that more people should ask before they hand over their keys.
The truth is that most cars are fine. But “most” isn’t the same as “yours, specifically” — and a few simple checks before pickup day can prevent delays, protect you in case of a dispute, and make sure your vehicle arrives at its destination without any surprises.
Here’s the checklist I’d run through before any car goes on a carrier.
1. Check for Fluid Leaks
This is the first thing any transport company will look at. A vehicle that’s actively leaking oil, coolant, brake fluid, or transmission fluid can be refused at pickup — and for good reason. Leaking fluids can damage other vehicles on the carrier and create fire hazards during transit.
Get under the car and look. If you see fresh stains on your driveway or garage floor, find the source before the carrier arrives. A minor leak that you’ve been meaning to fix becomes a real problem the morning of pickup.
If the leak is something you can’t address in time, disclose it when booking. Reputable transport companies will work with you, but they need to know upfront.
2. Check Tire Pressure and Condition
Tires need to be properly inflated and in reasonable condition for loading and unloading. A flat or severely underinflated tire creates problems when the driver moves the car on and off the carrier — and if a tire fails during that process, you’re looking at damage that’s difficult to attribute and harder to claim.
Set all four tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. While you’re at it, check the spare. You won’t need it during transport, but it’s good practice.
3. Test the Battery
The car needs to start reliably — not just for the driver loading it onto the carrier, but for the inspection process at both pickup and delivery. A dead or weak battery that fails at an inconvenient moment complicates everyone’s day.
If your battery is marginal, test it before the pickup window. A load test at any shop takes five minutes and tells you definitively whether it has enough capacity to be reliable. If it’s borderline, replace it. It’s a small cost relative to the hassle of a no-start at delivery.
4. Address Any Mechanical Issues That Affect Driveability
The car doesn’t need to be in perfect mechanical condition to be transported — transport companies move non-running vehicles regularly, though it requires special equipment and costs more. But if your car has issues that affect its ability to be driven short distances, disclose them at booking.
Seized brakes, a parking brake that doesn’t release, a transmission that slips — these are things the driver needs to know before they try to load the vehicle. Surprises on pickup day cause delays and can lead to damage if the driver isn’t prepared.
5. Document Everything Before Pickup
This is the step most people skip, and it’s the one that matters most if something goes wrong.
Before the carrier arrives, photograph your car thoroughly — every panel, front and rear, both sides, the roof, the interior, and any existing scratches, chips, dents, or marks. Do it in daylight with good lighting. Get close-up shots of anything notable.
The driver will complete a condition report at pickup noting the vehicle’s state. Review it carefully and make sure it matches your photos. Both parties sign it, and it travels with the vehicle. At delivery, the same inspection happens — if the condition matches, you’re done. If there’s a discrepancy, your photos are your evidence.
This documentation process is standard practice for professional transport companies. Mile Auto Transport, for example, uses digital condition reports at both pickup and delivery, which creates a timestamped record for both the customer and the carrier.
6. Remove Personal Belongings
Transport insurance covers the vehicle. It does not cover anything inside it. Remove everything of value — electronics, documents, clothing, tools, anything that isn’t part of the car itself.
Beyond the insurance issue, excess weight in the vehicle is technically against most carriers’ terms of service. A small amount in the trunk is generally tolerated, but don’t use your car as a moving van. It creates liability issues and, in some cases, can affect how the carrier is loaded and balanced.
7. Remove or Secure Aftermarket and Exterior Accessories
Aftermarket spoilers, antennas, roof racks, custom mirrors, and similar accessories are vulnerable during transport. If they can be removed, remove them. If they can’t, make sure they’re properly secured and note them on the condition report.
Low-clearance vehicles — modified suspensions, lowered ride height, wide body kits — should be disclosed at booking. Not every carrier can accommodate every vehicle configuration, and knowing in advance allows the company to assign the right equipment.
8. Fuel Level
Leave approximately a quarter tank of gas. Enough for the car to be driven on and off the carrier, not so much that it adds unnecessary weight to the load. This is standard practice across the industry and most transport companies will specify it when you book.
9. Disable the Alarm
A car alarm that triggers during transport — while the vehicle is on a moving carrier — is a problem for the driver and everyone else on the load. If your alarm is sensitive, deactivate it before pickup or leave clear written instructions for how to manage it. Stick a note inside with the disarm sequence if needed.
10. Make Sure the Car Is Clean
A clean car makes the condition report accurate. Dirt, grime, and road film can obscure existing scratches and marks that should be documented at pickup. If those marks aren’t noted and the car arrives dirty, distinguishing pre-existing damage from transport damage becomes genuinely difficult.
You don’t need a full detail — a basic wash is enough to give the driver a clear picture of the vehicle’s condition before it goes on the carrier.
The Bottom Line
None of this is complicated, and most of it takes less than an hour. The customers who have problems with auto transport are almost always the ones who skipped the documentation step, had an undisclosed mechanical issue, or didn’t realize their battery was dead until delivery day.
Do the checklist. Take the photos. Disclose anything unusual when you book. That’s genuinely all it takes to make the process straightforward — which, for something as valuable as your car, is exactly what you want.
