Moving a car from Surat to another city is now a common part of a family or job transfer. Driving it yourself is one option, but long drives take time, cost fuel and tolls, and add wear to the car. Many people prefer to send the car through a transport service and travel by train or air.

Car transport is safe when the handover is done properly. Most disputes about scratches, missing items or delays come from a rushed handover with no written record. This guide explains what to check before you give the keys to the transporter and what to check when the car is delivered.

Choose the type of transport

Cars are usually moved in one of two ways:

  • Open car carrier. A multi-level trailer that carries several cars. This is the most common way to move cars between cities.
  • Closed container. The car travels inside an enclosed truck or container, protected from dust, rain and road debris. This suits premium, vintage or new cars, and is usually more expensive.

Ask the transporter which method they will use for your car, how many cars travel together, and whether the car will change vehicles on the way. If the car is transferred at a hub, ask whether a fresh inspection is done there, so any damage can be traced to the right stage of the journey.

Documents to keep ready

Keep both the originals and copies ready. The transporter will usually ask for copies of:

  • The registration certificate (RC).
  • A valid insurance policy for the car.
  • The pollution under control (PUC) certificate.
  • Your ID and address proof.
  • A no-objection letter from the bank or company, if the car is on a loan or registered in a company name.

Do not leave the original RC or insurance papers inside the car unless the transporter asks for them and you have copies.

Prepare the car

  1. Wash the car. A clean car makes it easy to see every scratch and dent at handover. Dirt hides marks that can lead to arguments later.
  2. Remove personal items. Empty the boot, glove box, door pockets and seat pockets. Personal items are usually not covered by transit insurance and can move around and damage the interior.
  3. Remove loose accessories. Take off things that can fall or be lost: removable music systems, phone holders, seat covers you value, roof carriers and anything stuck on the dashboard.
  4. Fold the mirrors and lower the antenna, if it is not fixed.
  5. Keep fuel low. Only a small amount is needed to drive the car on and off the carrier. Ask your transporter for their exact requirement.
  6. Check the battery, tyres and brakes. The car will be driven on and off ramps. Tell the transporter about any mechanical problem, such as a weak battery or a handbrake issue.
  7. Disable the alarm, or tell the driver how to switch it off, so it does not drain the battery on the way.
  8. Keep a spare key. Hand over one key and keep the spare with you.

Photograph everything

Take clear, dated photos in good light just before the handover:

  • All four sides, the front and the rear, from a few steps back.
  • Close-ups of any existing scratch, dent or crack.
  • The roof, bumpers, wheels and alloy rims.
  • The dashboard showing the odometer reading and fuel level.
  • The interior, seats and boot.

A short walk-around video is also useful. Keep these files safe until the car is delivered and checked.

Check and sign the condition report

A proper transporter will inspect the car with you and fill in a vehicle condition report. This is the most important document in the whole process. Check that it records:

  • Your name, the car's make, model, colour and registration number.
  • Every existing scratch, dent and crack, marked on a diagram.
  • The odometer reading and fuel level.
  • Accessories handed over with the car, such as the spare wheel, jack, tool kit and floor mats.
  • The pick-up address, delivery address and expected delivery date.

Read it before you sign. If something is missing or wrong, ask for it to be corrected. Keep a signed copy, or a clear photo of it.

Questions to ask the transporter

  • Is transit insurance included, what does it cover and what is the claim process?
  • What is the expected delivery date, and how will I be kept informed on the way?
  • Will the car be delivered to my door, or must I collect it from a yard?
  • Who will drive the car on and off the carrier?
  • Are there any extra charges, for example for door delivery or storage if I am not available?

Get the answers in writing as part of the quote. Our guide on how to choose genuine packers and movers covers the checks that also apply to car transporters, such as verifying the GST number and paying only to the company's account.

At delivery

  1. Inspect the car in daylight if possible, before you sign the delivery receipt.
  2. Walk around it using your handover photos and the condition report.
  3. Check the odometer. A small increase from loading and unloading is normal; a large one is not.
  4. Check that all accessories listed on the report are present.
  5. Start the car and check the lights, horn and brakes.
  6. If you find new damage, note it on the delivery receipt, take photos at once and inform the transporter and the insurer in writing.

After the car arrives in a new state

If you are moving to another state and the car will stay there for the long term, you will need to follow the re-registration process at the local transport office. The rules and documents change from time to time, so check the current process with the transport office in your new city.

Moving your car with your household goods

Booking car transport with your household shifting means one team plans both, and you deal with one company for the whole move. See our car transportation service for how we handle pick-up from anywhere in Surat, or bike transportation if you have a two-wheeler too.