The price of car shipping has me worried.

We have extensive experience transporting automobiles across the country and throughout Europe. This includes selling our beloved Audi R8 (shown above), which had to be transported 200 miles north, in exchange for an old Mercedes SL, which was transported to Germany. We've used a variety of car transportation services over the years, and when it comes to the cost of transporting a car, there are several factors to consider, as we'll discuss below.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Car Transport

• The distance that the car must be transported
• The type of vehicle that must be loaded
• Method of transportation (discussed further below)
• Weekend deliveries (additional charges may apply)
• Loads in parts (i) e If the driver has another load to pick up on the way there or back, it may be less expensive.)
• Time slots for collection and delivery
• Insurance for transportation (i) e to the tune of £250,000)
• Fuel prices (as you might expect, they vary)
• Clean Air Zones/ULEZ/Congestion Fees
• Toll roads or bridges that must be crossed
• Difficulties that may arise (i) e Jump starting the car or dragging it onto the trailer or truck with a winch)

How Much Does It Cost to Transport a Car?

We recommend that you pay between £2 and £3 per mile to ensure that you are getting a fair price for transporting your car. However, as the distance increases, so should the cost per mile rate. This is because longer distances frequently include more motorway miles, which are "easy miles" in terms of car transport.

Based on previous car transport experiences, the following costs to transport a car may apply:

• 100 miles at £2 to £3 would range between £200 and £200
• 200 miles per hour £1 50 to £2 50 would set you back between £300 and £500
• 400 miles per hour £1 25 to £2 would range between £500 and £800

It's important to remember that the cheapest option isn't always the best, and you should think about the mode of transportation. For example, if your car is valuable, you may want to transport it in an enclosed trailer, which will cost more.

The various modes of car transportation listed below vary in cost and have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Car Transport Types

1. Specialized Trailer

A dedicated car trailer is one of the most popular ways to transport a car. Because most low, sports, or super cars have a low entry, this is the best method. Many premium trailers also have a tilt function and ramp extensions, which are ideal for low vehicles like the Audi R8 shown below.

Using this method of car transportation has few drawbacks, but due to the size and length of the load, it will require a confident transport driver. When it comes to transporting our cars, it's our preferred method and the recommended method if you have low-slung vehicles that will have difficulty fitting onto a recovery truck.

2. Recovery Vehicle

A dedicated recovery truck, as shown in the image below, is just as popular as using a trailer to transport a car. They, like trailers, have few drawbacks and typically cost the same to transport a car.

One disadvantage we've discovered is that they struggle with low cars due to the incline required to get onto it. As a result, if you have a low car and decide to use a recovery truck, you should inquire whether the driver has a set of car ramps onboard to assist with getting the car onto and off the truck without damaging it.

3. Multi-Car Truck

A multi-car lorry is a type of car transport that is commonly used when traveling long distances, such as abroad. We had a Mercedes SL delivered from our office in Cardiff to Munster in Germany on a very large lorry, as shown in the image below. However, this is also how most new cars are delivered from the factory to dealerships.

When it comes to using this mode of transportation for your own car, the costs are usually comparable to those of a trailer or truck because it is part of a group of vehicles traveling in the same direction. However, the flexibility of the collection and delivery dates is extremely limited. Furthermore, if the collection or delivery address involves a number of narrow roads, the lorry will be unable to make the trip in the first place. As a result, we would only suggest this method for long-distance car transportation.

4. Trailer with Enclosure

An enclosed trailer is by far the most expensive way to transport your car, and it is frequently used for valuable vehicles. Whether it's a vintage classic car or a supercar, an enclosed trailer keeps your vehicle safe and ready for all-weather travel. The only disadvantage of this method is that most drivers/companies will charge a higher fee.

5th. Driver

A simple way to transport a car that is frequently overlooked is to have a second driver. Although this is only suitable for road-legal vehicles, it can be a less expensive way of transporting a vehicle to its destination because there are no issues with the vehicle struggling to get onto the trailer or recovery truck's ramp.

The Car's Worth

When having your car transported, make sure the driver is insured up to the value of your car. Most drivers, for example, have a common insurance value of up to £250,000, which covers most cars. This is important to consider because your car will be covered if any damage occurs during loading or on the road.

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Transportation

If you have never transported a car before, the following steps should be taken to prepare your vehicle:

1. Take out all of your personal belongings.

It's a good idea to remove any personal belongings from your car before selling it and transporting it. This includes everything from receipts stuck between the armrest and the seat to USB car chargers that are still plugged in.

2. Wash Your Car

We always recommend that you give your car a good wash before transporting it, whether it's worth £500 or £100,000 in value. Not only will it look better when delivered to the buyer's home, but it will also make taking photos of your car prior to transport much easier (as discussed below).

3. Take Photographs

We always recommend that you take photos of your car just before the delivery driver arrives for your own peace of mind. This is because you want proof of your car's condition before it is transported to the buyer. This way, if it is damaged in transit or the buyer complains about any damage, you will have proof that it was not caused before it was delivered.

4. Check That The Battery Is Charged

Unless you've purchased a new battery for your car, you'll want to make sure the battery has enough charge to be easily loaded and unloaded. As a result, before it is picked up for delivery, use a car battery charger to fully charge it. Alternatively, if the battery is drained or faulty, you can request that the driver disconnect the battery after it has been loaded. This prevents the battery from going flat during delivery and necessitating extra effort to jump start.

It's worth noting that most public transportation drivers will have a car jump starter onboard. As a result, as long as you agree, you can simply state that it may require a jump start to get it running.

5. Gather All Documents

Unless otherwise agreed, you should leave all documents such as the service history, manuals, and other documents in the car or with the delivery driver. Regarding the V5C logbook, tear off the green slip (new keepers' section) and keep it in the car. You can then choose to transfer ownership of the vehicle either online or by mail. We recommend transferring ownership of your vehicle online because it is instant and only takes 5 working days for the buyer to receive the new logbook in their name.

6. Allow Enough Fuel

Nothing is more frustrating than running out of gas, and if you've recently sold your car and it's being delivered to the buyer, you'll want to leave them with enough fuel. At least one-quarter tank (i) e The lack of a fuel light) is ideal because it will allow the buyer to take it for a test drive as soon as it arrives.

Conclusion

Whether you've bought or sold a car, there are a variety of ways to transport it, but you want to make sure you're not overpaying for transportation. The standard rate that most companies/drivers charge in the UK is £2 to £3 per mile, but if you need a car transported a long distance, you should expect a lower rate.

If you require any additional information about car transportation or the costs involved, please contact us and we will do our best to assist you.