Preparing your vehicle
How to prepare your car for collection
4 min read · last updated 2026-08-22
Ten minutes of preparation removes almost every dispute that ever arises on a vehicle movement. This is the list worth working through the evening before collection.
Photograph the vehicle properly
Take photographs in daylight of all four corners, both sides, the roof, the wheels and any existing damage, plus a shot of the odometer. Dated photographs are the single most useful thing you can have if anything is queried at delivery.
Fuel, fluids and alarms
Around a quarter of a tank is ideal: enough to load, unload and move under its own power, without carrying unnecessary weight. Disable any tracker alerts or aftermarket alarms that will trigger on the move, and note the immobiliser procedure if there is one.
Clear personal items
Transport insurance covers the vehicle, not its contents. Remove valuables, documents, electronics and anything loose that could move around in transit. Take toll tags and dash cams out or switch them off.
At handover
Walk the vehicle with the driver, agree the condition record, and keep a copy. At delivery, check the same points before you confirm — confirming delivery is what releases the transporter's payment, so it is your moment of leverage.
Common questions
- Can I leave items in the boot?
- Best avoided. Contents are not covered, and extra weight can affect how the vehicle is loaded and secured.
- Who does the condition check?
- The driver records condition at collection and delivery, and you confirm it. Photographs of your own make that record much stronger.
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