New Zealand’s roads are brilliant for a scenic drive. They’re less appealing when you’re trying to get a freshly restored classic, a low-slung sports car, or a spotless European import from A to B without a scratch. Between loose chipseal, winding roads, and unpredictable weather, there’s plenty you’d rather not expose your pride and joy to.
Whether you’ve just bought a new European import, have spent years restoring a vintage classic, or own a sports model that isn’t designed for New Zealand’s winding back roads, professional car transport is one of the safest ways to get your vehicle door to door.
When looking at your options, you’ll generally find two main categories: open-air transport and enclosed transport. Here’s how to know which service is right for your vehicle, and when it’s worth paying a little more.
This is the most common and cost-effective method of vehicle transport. It includes:
Enclosed car transportation is any type of car transportation service that uses a fully covered truck and trailer to protect your vehicle on the road.
While some look like a stock-standard truck and trailer unit, others are highly customised to provide maximum protection to your vehicle. Depending on what type of car you own, you may want to ask about:
When comparing open-air with enclosed vehicle transport, it’s a good idea to consider both your overall budget and the needs of your vehicle. Here’s what you’ll need to consider.
These are the industry standard with many operators in the New Zealand market. A traditional trailer:
This method is more expensive. But it isn’t just about protecting your vehicle from road debris or bad weather. An enclosed trailer:
While anyone can choose enclosed transport for extra peace of mind, it could be considered essential for some types of vehicles.
An enclosed trailer will protect all of your restoration work from debris. Plus, rather than being winched up a standard ramp by straps, a hydraulic tilt-bed or flat platform can load your car smoothly without putting pressure on its aging suspension.
Find out more about what to look out for in a classic car transport service here.
Low-clearance vehicles can’t be loaded onto a normal open-air trailer without causing scratches and scrapes. Some trailers also have side doors, which allow for more room during loading and unloading.
If you’ve paid a pretty penny for a new car and want it to remain in showroom condition, there’s really no better option for protecting your paint!
Pricing depends on what type of car you are transporting, what additional loading gear you need and where you are going.
Generally, enclosed transport adds roughly 20% to 50% more to the cost of car transportation in New Zealand. We’ve taken some real-world examples from Wise Move to show how much traditional versus open-air transport may cost:
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Whether you're transporting a vintage classic, a luxury import, or your everyday runaround, Wise Move makes it easy to get your vehicle safely from A to B.
With Wise Move, you can book the best car transport team in New Zealand, whether you need a standard open carrier or specialised enclosed transport for a vehicle that needs a little extra care. From Auckland to Queenstown and everywhere in between, our experienced teams can get your car from door to door without the hassle of driving it yourself.
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