How to Prepare Your Car for Professional Transport: A Step-by-Step Checklist
Preparing your vehicle for professional transport isn't just about making it look nice - it’s about ensuring a smooth, safe, and insured journey. Whether you've booked open transport for a daily driver or enclosed transport for a classic car, following this checklist helps prevent delays and protects your investment.
The Clean & Inspect Rule
Why it matters: It is virtually impossible to accurately document the condition of a dirty car. Dust and mud can hide small scratches or dents.
Wash the Exterior: Clean the car thoroughly before your Panacea Logistics driver arrives.
The Walk-Around Photo Shoot: Take clear, high-resolution photos of your vehicle from every angle (front, back, sides, and roof).
Close-ups: Photograph any existing chips or dings. In the rare event of an insurance claim, these date-stamped photos are your primary evidence.
Personal Items & Loose Parts
Why it matters: Standard Goods in Transit (GIT) insurance typically covers the vehicle itself, not the items inside it.
Empty the Cabin: Remove all personal belongings. Not only are they usually uninsured, but they also add weight and can move during transit, potentially damaging the interior.
Check the Boot: Remove loose tools, shopping bags, or detached spare parts.
External Accessories: If your car has a removable roof rack, bike rack, or a specialised antenna, remove them before loading to ensure the vehicle fits safely within the trailer's dimensions.
Mechanical & Battery Prep
Your car needs to be "logistics-ready," even if it’s being carried on a trailer.
The "Quarter Tank" Rule: We recommend keeping your fuel level at approximately 1/4 tank. This is enough for loading and unloading but keeps the vehicle’s weight down for safer transport.
Check for Leaks: Ensure there are no major oil or fluid leaks. If your car is a "non-runner" or has a known leak, please inform us in advance so we can take precautions to protect our equipment and other vehicles.
Battery & Tyres: Ensure tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. For a smooth loading process, the battery should be healthy enough to start the car (unless booked as a non-runner).
Specialised Prep for 2026: EVs and Luxury Cars
If you are transporting a modern Electric Vehicle (EV) or a luxury car, there are a few extra steps:
EV Battery Levels: For long-distance transport, we recommend a battery charge between 20% and 50%. Avoid shipping with a 0% or 100% charge to maintain battery health.
Disable Alarms & Tolltags: Movement on a trailer can trigger high-sensitivity car alarms. Ensure the alarm is disabled or in "transport mode." Also, remove or deactivate tolltags (like Dart Charge or Congestion Charge tags) to prevent accidental pings as the truck passes through cameras.
Fold Your Mirrors: A simple but effective way to save space and prevent minor knocks during the loading process.
Documentation Checklist
Have these ready when our driver arrives to collect the vehicle:
Spare Keys: You must provide the driver with a working set of keys.
V5C (Logbook): While not always required for the journey, having a copy available is good practice.
Contact Details: Ensure we have the correct phone numbers for both the collection and delivery points.
Ready to Move?
By following this guide, you ensure that your vehicle is ready for a safe, professional journey. At Panacea Logistics, we handle the heavy lifting so you don't have to.
Need a reliable transport quote? Get Your Bespoke Quote Here or call our team today for expert advice on your vehicle move.