Some may not realize they can prepare their car for sale and transport in one go since several steps overlap between the two processes. Some of these steps include cleaning, documenting the vehicle’s condition, removing personal items, and checking fuel, fluid, and tire levels.
Understanding how to maximize your vehicle’s appeal to buyers while preparing it for a smooth shipping process saves you time and stress while maximizing your car’s value and transport security. Whether selling and shipping your vehicle within your state or across the country, our guide’s information is ideal for those looking to move their car quickly and safely to a new owner.
Steps to Prepare Your Car for Sale AND Transport in One Go
Whether selling and shipping your vehicle within your state or across the country, our guide’s information is ideal for those looking to move their car quickly and safely to a new owner.
Step 1: Gather and Organize Your Documentation
The primary documents you’ll need for a vehicle sale include its title, registration, maintenance records, and bill of sale. A bill of sale notes the transaction’s terms and conditions, and some states require an odometer disclosure statement. Sellers will also benefit from providing warranty information and the car’s history report highlighting any accidents or other problems.
Sellers needing to ship their vehicle to a buyer will always need a bill of lading, supplied by the carrier, describing a car’s condition report from the transport company. You must also review and sign the carrier’s insurance terms and conditions. While title and registration, proof of insurance, and photo ID are rarely required, some carriers may request this information. Consider storing digital and physical copies of required and recommended shipping documents to keep this information accessible.
Step 2: Deep Clean and Detail Your Car
Thoroughly cleaning a vehicle you’re selling inside and out helps reveal its true condition for accurate advertising while making a better impression on potential buyers. Washing and detailing the interior and exterior accomplishes this in-depth cleaning. Before an interior detail, remove all personal items and valuables. In addition to getting obstacles out of the way for those detailing the interior, removing personal items and valuables is a common requirement among carriers. Even if you aren’t shipping, your buyer won’t want to find your possessions upon the car’s arrival, unless they’re a specific part of the deal, like a GPS accessory.
After a thorough cleansing, document the vehicle’s condition with an extensive amount of date-stamped photos from all angles. One of the most common mistakes sellers make when creating a car listing is not providing enough images.
Step 3: Inspect and Address Mechanical Issues
While a vehicle’s surface condition is the first thing potential buyers will see, shoppers, especially those browsing the private market, will likely request the car’s mechanical status. Others may want to have the vehicle checked by a trusted mechanic. A comprehensive inspection from a mechanic will highlight any issues with a car that you’ll either need to fix or disclose.
More specifically, a comprehensive multi-point inspection ensures the vehicle is safe for transport and provides the most transparency, which can appeal to prospective buyers. Completing minor repairs and routine maintenance like oil and fluid changes can help increase your car’s sale value and prevent shipping delays. A vehicle that’s behind on routine maintenance can easily cause buyer trepidation.
Step 4: Remove or Secure Loose Parts and Accessories
Some people shipping a car they’ve sold overlook the importance of removing or securing loose parts and accessories and only consider removing personal items. However, both are significant, as loose parts can shift during transport, potentially damaging the vehicle you’ve sold or other cars during transit.
Common parts and accessories you’ll want to remove or secure include but aren’t limited to convertible tops, antennas, spoilers, and roof racks. Include accessories, like an external GPS unit, with a sale if they add value and you can afford to part with them, but always ensure they’re secure.
Step 5: Research and Choose a Reputable Auto Transport Company (If Needed)
A buyer may want a vehicle’s sellers to coordinate delivery—and the rising popularity of online car shopping underscores the importance of preparing for possible transport. Comparing multiple providers or carriers will help you find the best deal, and a broker can streamline this process by sourcing quotes, checking reviews, and verifying vital credentials like insurance or USDOT registration.
However, before sourcing shipping quotes after a sale independently or with a broker’s assistance, evaluate the vehicle’s transport requirements to find the right shipping option. For example, higher-value cars like classic or exotic vehicles benefit from enclosed auto transport, which shields the automobile from outdoor elements during transit. Alternatively, open-carrier shipping, which is the most affordable, wouldn’t fit the requirements of a rare classic or modern supercar. Enclosed auto transport also typically offers higher liability and cargo insurance amounts than open-carrier shipping.
Regarding pickup and delivery, many shippers and buyers prefer door-to-door delivery since the service conveniently picks up and drops off a vehicle at locations chosen by each party. Alternatively, terminal-to-terminal shipping can save money on transport costs, but the seller and buyer will have to drop off and pick up the car at sites designated by the carrier. These locations are generally near large cities or off major highways.
Step 6: Prepare for Buyer and Transporter Inspections
You’ve already done most of the legwork in preparing for buyer and transporter inspections by cleaning and documenting the vehicle’s condition with photos. Still, a potential buyer may request to have a mechanic they know to evaluate the car. In this case, you could accompany the prospective buyer to a garage for an inspection or have them hire a mobile mechanic to visit and save you time.
While test drives and inspections can be time-consuming, denying potential buyers these requests may make them think you’re trying to cover up mechanical issues. A transporter will do an inspection before loading the vehicle you’ve sold onto a carrier. After, you’ll sign and receive a bill of lading describing the car’s condition during pickup. It’s common practice to provide the buyer with a copy of your bill of lading so they can verify the vehicle’s condition upon arrival. Keep copies of all documentation for your records, and encourage the purchaser to do the same for their protection.
Step 7: Set Up Flexible Shipping Scheduling
When discussing shipping with your car’s buyer, they should know that most carriers ask for a two—to three-day pickup and delivery window. Pickup and delivery times aren’t set in stone since carriers typically travel extended routes where they may encounter weather or traffic-related delays. Communicating this information helps align buyer expectations with auto transport standards.
Step 8: Finalize Sale and Transport Details
Once you’ve signed a bill of lading along with the carrier’s inspector, confirm the purchaser’s shipping address. Buyers often arrange shipping, but it’s becoming increasingly common for sellers to coordinate transport and roll the shipping cost into the final sale price. If your auto sale requires shipping and the buyer wants to arrange transport, you can use step five to give them tips on researching and choosing a reputable carrier if they’re new to the process.
Step 9: Do a Final Vehicle Check Before Handover
Auto transporters recommend shipping vehicles with a ¼ tank of fuel since it keeps the vehicle lighter and reduces the likelihood of hazards like spills during unloading and unloading—all while giving the buyer enough gas to travel to their nearest station after the car’s arrival. Additionally, disable vehicle alarms and lock its doors before shipping. Your responsibility ends after handing the car you’ve sold off to a transporter.
