So, you’re looking at having your car transported around Australia? Well, trust me, it’s one of those things that isn’t rocket science until you go to investigate. Let me walk you through all that I wish someone had told me before I ordered my initial car transport.
So, What is Car Transport Really?
Car transport is really just that – getting professionals to move your car from one location to another without you driving it yourself. You may be moving interstate for work, bought a car over the internet that just happens to be out of state, or maybe you own one of those classic cars that you do not want to chance on a trans-country road trip. Whatever your reason, these men have got your back.
You know, Australia is enormous. Like, REALLY enormous. And sometimes driving your own vehicle just isn’t that worthwhile – at least, not when you tally up fuel, lodgings, days off work, and vehicle wear and tear.
Your Transportation Choices (And What They Really Are)
Open Car Carriers – The Most Economical Choice
This is your bread-and-butter shipment method. Your car is shipped by one of those massive trucking carriers you watch transport scores of autos down the highway. Your car does see weather, but come on. For most ordinary cars, this is no issue at all. I have shipped this way three times, and my autos returned exactly as they left, no issues at all.
Truckers are professionals – they have tie-downs, rain covers for foul weather, and aren’t newcomers to this sport.
Enclosed Transportation – If You Want to Get VIP Treatment
And then, again, if you’ve got something truly exceptional – maybe a classic that’s been fully restored, a luxury car, or one that you wouldn’t even consider living without – enclosed transport is every extra dollar worth spending. Your car travels within basically a rolling garage. Weather, road grit, curious observers at highway rest areas are no concerns.
I took this route when I moved my grandfather’s reconditioned Holden, and to be honest, peace of mind was worth that extra cost.
Door-to-Door versus Terminal Drop-
Door-to-door is exactly that – being picked up at your driveway and dropped off at your new driveway. It’s convenient, but you’re going to pay just a little bit extra for that type of convenience.
Terminal services requires you to go to their depot to drop off as well as to pick up. It is cheaper but you need to account for your time and money to go to their location.
Things You Must Absolutely Consider
Where You’re Going Makes a Difference
Melbourne to Sydney? No issue – there will always be trucking between those two locations. If you are shipping to a remote location such as Broken Hill or Darwin, this will take longer and will not come cheaply. It is just basic logistics – the further away, the harder.
Timing Is Everything
Christmas season? Good luck. Summer vacation? Same again. Everyone is moving then, so book way ahead of time or be prepared to wait. I discovered this to my cost when I tried to book transport in December – ended up waiting three weeks longer than I expected.
Preparation of Your Car
That’s one thing that they do not necessarily make all that explicit up front. You’ll need to remove all of your personal belongings (everything, essentially), bring your fuel tank up to one-fourth full, and photograph all scratches and dents that exist with a camera.
That photo part? Go do that. I don’t know how to emphasize this enough. Take pictures from all sides. Sounds paranoid, but if anything does go wrong, you’ll be glad you did.
Insurance – The Unexciting but Imperative Details
Any decent company will be insured, but do pay attention to this: not all insurance is created equal. Insist that you are told how much coverage there is, what the excess is, and exactly what is included.
Don’t always presume everything is okay – there are weird exceptions with certain policies. I once had an insurance company that did not cover damage from “acts of nature” – hail damage included, it seems. Who’d have believed?
How to Choose the Perfect Company
Do Your Homework
Your friend is Google reviews. But do not simply look at the star rating – read reviews themselves. Check for patterns. If there are common issues that are stated by different people, then pay attention.
I always look at Facebook groups as well – there are tons of car enthusiast groups where members post about transport experiences.
Make Sure They’re Legit
This goes without saying, but make sure that in fact they are licensed properly to haul interstate. There are cowboys out there, and you don’t want your car to end up at the tail of some dubious truck.
Watch Out for Too-Good-To-Be-True Prices
If someone is quoting by far less than all others, there usually is a catch. Hidden fees, subcontracting, or poor service. Paying a few extra dollars up front will sometimes save you headaches later.
What to Expect Timeline-Wise
As a rule of thumb, you’re looking at 3 to 10 business days for an interstate move. Capital to capital is usually quicker – sometimes as fast as 3-5 days. But if you’re going to a regional location, or there are problems, then this can take longer.
It is advisable to book early. I book two weeks prior at least, but when busy times are around, I book further ahead.
The Money Talk
Let’s keep things real – price does count. Here’s why it does:
- Time is the great one
- Car dimensions (trucks carry larger quantities of small cars than bigger cars)
- Where you’re picking up and dropping off (city to city is cheaper than rural sites)
- Season of year (peak times are higher cost)
- Type of service (enclosed costs higher than open)
Shop around for a few prices, but keep this in mind – you generally pay for what you get.
Ready to Book?
When you’re at that ready-to-pull-the-trigger point, ensure all of your details are at your fingertips: pick-up and drop-off spots, dates you want (be flexible if you can), vehicle specifications, as well as special requirements.
Most companies have very helpful staff who’ll walk you through step by step themselves. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – they’ve been asked all before.
My Final Thoughts
Listen, hauling your car need not be stressful. Indeed, you are entrusting strangers with something that is important, but thousands of vehicles are moved all around Australia every week without incident.
So be careful choosing a carrier, fully prepare your auto, and unless you want to make sacrifices, don’t choose a bid that’s rock bottom. Everything usually works out, and your car will arrive exactly when and as agreed upon.
