Getting your car ready for pickup: a simple checklist

Pickup goes fastest when the car is ready to load the moment the driver arrives. Run through this list the day before.

Inside the car

1. Remove personal items. They aren’t covered during transport and add weight.
2. Take out toll tags and parking passes so you aren’t charged along the route.
3. Leave about a quarter tank of fuel. That’s enough to load and unload without adding weight.
4. Turn off or disable any car alarm, or tell the driver how to switch it off.

Outside the car

1. Wash the car so any existing scratches and dents are easy to see.
2. Take dated photos of every side, the roof, and the wheels.
3. Fold in mirrors and remove or secure loose parts, like spoilers or roof racks.
4. Check the tires and battery so the car can be driven on and off the trailer.

At pickup

Walk around the car with the driver and agree on its condition before it’s loaded. Hand over one set of keys, and keep your own copy of the inspection report.