So, it’s official. Your car is booked in and ready to be transported cross-country. While you can trust your car transport company to do all the heavy lifting, there are a few things you can do to help set your car up for an easy journey.
This guide walks you through exactly how to prepare your car for transport in New Zealand. You’ll learn how to protect your vehicle, avoid common mistakes, and make the whole process smoother for you and the transport provider.
Removing any rubbish, clutter, or personal belongings will prevent loose items from shifting and causing damage (to the item or your interior) during the move. Plus, most transport insurance policies don’t cover personal items left in the car during transport.
Want to find out what transport insurance does cover? Read your full guide to vehicle in transit insurance here.
Now that your vehicle is spick and span, it’s time to document how it looks. Take photos of any pre-existing damage to the interior or exterior. You should also take photos of each of the panels, bumper, fender, and wheels of your car for a clear baseline of your car's condition.
Tip: You can also take photos on the day of the journey, but doing it a few days before may simply allow you more time to do a thorough job.
If you are transporting your car via a trailer, leave your petrol tank a quarter full – enough to get the car on and off the trailer. It also helps to reduce the weight of your vehicle and fulfils safety and fire regulations. If you are opting for a driven service, you should fill up your tank.
On a trailer, external parts can create problems and cause unnecessary damage. If you can, remove or retract the antenna. Remove any roof rack or bike racks. However, if you are unable to, the transport team will do it for you. If you need to keep them with the car, make sure they’re secured so they won’t move around.
Make sure that your car tyres are properly inflated. This is especially important if someone is driving your car to its final destination. It will also allow your vehicle to be driven onto the trailer ramp safely. In New Zealand, you can check your tyre pressure and inflate them for free at all major petrol stations.
Make sure you provide your driver or carrier with a complete set of keys, including any fobs or physical keys needed to bypass alarm systems, wheel locks, or other disablement devices. We recommend having a spare set of keys in case of any mix-ups when picking up your vehicle.
The Bill of Lading (BoL) is a legal document that acts as the contract between you and the vehicle shipper. It outlines the terms of your agreement with the carrier, i.e., any responsibilities and liabilities during transit. Make sure you read it thoroughly before you sign.
Our checklist makes it easy to prepare your vehicle for transport and ensures that with a little effort, your car will be safely on its way. If you’re still looking for the right team to get your car from A to B safely and securely, Wise Move can help.
With access to New Zealand's widest network of professional car transporters, Wise Move makes it easy to book a trusted professional car transport service that fits your schedule and budget. Prepare your vehicle properly, choose a trusted transporter, and enjoy peace of mind from start to finish.
Wise Move is New Zealand’s leading moving service, helping thousands of customers with home moves, furniture removals, car and motorcycle transport, and more. Since 2017, we’ve been delivering reliable, affordable, and well-reviewed moving services in just a few simple steps. Our focus has always been on making moving as simple and effortless as possible for our customers.
