Sometimes, the best way to move a car around is to not drive it. This is especially true if you have to drive a long distance or deliver the car somewhere. We see a lot of customers coming through that have done body and or collision repair on a vehicle and now need to get the car back to it’s owner. If you choose to transport the car with a trailer or truck, you can add mileage, wear, and tear on the vehicle. There are, however, certain things that you should do with the car to prepare it for transport. These things will ensure the car doesn’t get damaged or cause other problems while being transported.

1.Wash the car – Dirt and grime tend to hide dings and scratches. After you wash it, you’ll want to check it over thoroughly and make note of any damage you didn’t notice before. It also ensures that any damage that the vehicle sustained in transport is noticeable when the car is unloaded.

2.Remove anything from the inside that isn’t tied down. This prevents the items from getting damaged as well as the car's interior. Loose change that isn’t tied down can put a small crack in a windshield if it gets tossed around enough.

3.Disable your car alarm – If your car’s alarm goes off during transport, that is a guaranteed way to irritate your driver and drain your battery. You’d be surprised how many times that alarm will get triggered when the car gets jostled around.

4.Remove external accessories – Anything that you have added to the car should be removed before you transport the car. This includes spoilers, hood ornaments, roof racks, and more. Removing these items will also allow more wiggle room when loading the car onto the transport vehicle.

5.Perform regular maintenance – To ensure the vehicle is in good working condition when it get to its destination, you’ll want to do the following.

• Check your fluids and top them off.
• Ensure the tires are properly inflated.
• Check the battery.
• Check for any mechanical issues before loading the car up. If there are issues, be sure to let the transport person know.