What Should You Check Right Before Auto Transport Pickup?

You're days away from pickup. Excitement builds. Or nerves. Either way, one slip-up causes headaches. Delays. Extra fees. Damage claims that drag on. I've managed logistics at AMG Transport Co. for years. As a Texas-based auto transport broker, we handle nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. We've seen it all. Cars not ready. Access issues. Forgotten items. Don't join that list.

This checklist fixes that. Follow it. Pickup goes smooth. No stress. We book with vetted, insured carriers. Our 72-hour pickup windows mean precision. Honest quotes. No hidden fees. Stripe deposits for trust. VIN scans verify everything. Prep right. Let the pros handle the rest.

Is Your Vehicle Fully Prepared for Loading?

Carriers hate surprises. A vehicle not ready wastes time. Theirs and yours. Fees kick in fast. Delays push delivery. Be ready.

Have You Removed All Personal Items??

Clear everything out. No exceptions. Personal items? Not allowed. Liability nightmare. Damage happens. Theft risks. Or worse. Items fly off open carriers.

Check glove box. Trunk. Console. Spare tire well. Behind seats. Under mats. Tools. Groceries. Kid toys. All gone.

Why? Carriers won't load with stuff inside. Delays. Extra labor fees. $100 or more. Your risk entirely. No insurance covers it.

Pro tip: Use door-to-door service like ours. We coordinate pickup at your spot. Still, empty the car. We've shipped classics enclosed. SUVs open. Non-runners too. Empty always.

• Vacuum interior.
• Wipe down surfaces.
• Double-check pockets.
• Remove antennas if tall.

Done? Vehicle's lighter. Safer load.

Is the Fuel Level Correct and Fluids Checked??

Quarter tank. That's standard. Enough to move on lot. Not so much it weighs extra or leaks.

Too full? Spill risk. Fire hazard. Weight adds cost per mile.

Check fluids. Oil. Coolant. Brake. Transmission. Top off if low. No overfill.

Why? Safety. Carrier tests startup. Fluids leak? Rejected. Delay.

For non-running vehicles? Tell us upfront. We specialize. Extra steps. But fluids still matter.

Our carriers verify. Part of our vetting. Texas to California? Houston to LA? Fuel right. No issues.

Does Your Car Pass the Accessibility Test??

Pickup day. Truck shows. Can't reach? Nightmare. Tow fees. Redelivery charges. Hundreds gone.

Can the Carrier Access Your Driveway Safely??

Measure it. Driveway width: 10 feet minimum. Turnaround room. Low branches? Trim.

Tight spot? Apartment complex? Gated? Provide codes. Notify HOA.

Open carrier? Needs more space. Enclosed for luxury? Same issue.

Tell your broker early. Like us at AMG. We flag it. Find solutions. 72-hour windows flex if needed.

Rural? Long dirt road? Confirm carrier type. Open car carrier transport cost less. But access matters.

Checklist:

• Width: 12+ feet ideal.
• Length: room for 80-foot rig.
• Slope: under 15%.
• Obstacles: none.

No access? Street legal? Confirm local laws.

Are Alarms Disabled and Keys Ready??

Alarms blare. Chaos. Carrier walks.

Disable all. Factory. Aftermarket. Valet mode.

Keys: two sets. One driver. One spare taped inside. Clean. Labeled.

Remote start? Off. Push-button? Spare fob.

Test beforehand. Startup. No warnings.

Luxury vehicle transport? Enclosed benefits shine here. But alarms kill any load.

Is Everything Documented to Protect Against Claims??

No docs? Claims denied. Your word vs theirs.

Have You Taken Timestamped Photos??

Do it now. Every angle. Timestamped.

Front. Rear. Sides. Top. Underneath if possible. Wheels. Interior. Mileage.

Close-ups: dents. Scratches. Chips. Dings. Even small.

Send to broker. We do VIN scans. Matches our records.

Why? Bill of lading notes match photos. Disputes? Proof wins.

Apps like Timestamp Camera. Free. Easy.

Do You Understand the Bill of Lading Process??

BOL is king. Sign it. Note every flaw.

Carrier inspects. You inspect together. Mark all damage. Pre-existing.

Two copies. Yours. Theirs.

Delivery? Same process. New photos.

Disagree? Don't sign. Call broker.

At AMG, we guide you. Trusted car shipping broker reviews prove it. Vetted carriers. Insured. Safety records top-notch.

| Item | Why It Matters | Common Mistake |

|------|---------------|----------------|

| Photos | Proof of condition | No timestamps |

| BOL | Official record | Signing blind |

| Fluids Check | Safety load | Overfilled tank |

| Access Measure | No delays | Tight driveway |

Quick table. Covers bases.

Final Thoughts: Make Pickup Foolproof

Checklist done? You're golden. No delays. No fees. No claims.

Roads tough. Carriers focused on driving. Not your problems. That's brokers like AMG Transport Co.

We handle frontend sales. Coordinating. Backend systems. Parent company AMG Endeavors runs carriers. We know both sides.

Stronger customer experience. Guide through fraud. Buffer rates. Vetted carriers invested in us. Thus you.

Texas auto transport broker nationwide. Door-to-door. Honest quotes. Stripe secure. 72-hour windows.

Relocating? Multi-car family move? Cross-country? Ship SUV vs sedan? We got it.

Obvious choice. Get your free quote today. Stress-free shipping starts here.

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.