How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Auto Transport: A Step-by-Step Checklist

Preparing your vehicle for auto transport is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure a safe, smooth, and efficient shipping experience. If you’re preparing for car shipping, whether across the state or cross-country, following this checklist will help protect your vehicle and make the process easier with your carrier. Here’s a complete, step-by-step guide to get your vehicle transport-ready.

1. Wash the Vehicle Inside and Out Start by cleaning your car thoroughly. A clean surface makes it easier to inspect and document any pre-existing damage before shipping. Be sure to also remove any trash or personal items from the interior.

2. Document the Vehicle’s Condition Take clear, timestamped photos of your car from all angles, including close-ups of any existing scratches, dents, or wear. This documentation will be useful if you need to compare the car’s condition upon delivery.

3. Check Fluids, Battery, and Tires Ensure that all fluid levels are adequate, the battery is fully charged, and the tires are properly inflated. This helps prevent delays or damage during loading and unloading.

4. Keep the Fuel Tank Low Your vehicle should have about a quarter tank of gas or less. This minimizes transport weight and reduces the risk of fuel leaks.

5. Remove Personal Items and Accessories Take out all personal belongings from the vehicle, including electronics, toll tags, documents, or valuables. Also, remove or secure any loose parts or custom add-ons like roof racks or spoilers.

6. Disable Alarms and Anti-Theft Systems Turn off any security systems that could be triggered during loading or transit. This helps avoid unnecessary delays and battery drain.

7. Provide a Spare Key Give the driver a backup key for the vehicle. Avoid handing over your only copy in case of loss.

8. Notify the Carrier of Mechanical Issues If your car has any special quirks—like a failing starter, stuck door, or low ground clearance—inform the carrier in advance so they can prepare accordingly.

9. Be Present at Pickup and Delivery Make sure you or a designated representative is available during both pickup and delivery to review the vehicle’s condition and sign the Bill of Lading.

10. Conduct a Final Inspection Upon Delivery Compare the condition of the vehicle at delivery against your pre-shipping photos. Document any changes before signing off on the shipment.

Using uShip for a Better Experience

When you ship with uShip, our platform connects you with trusted transporters, allows for upfront communication, and supports the documentation and tracking process from start to finish. Whether you’re shipping a sedan, truck, or specialty vehicle, our tools and support simplify preparation and execution.