Car Shipping Inspection Checklist for Pickup and Delivery

How should I prepare the car for an inspection?

Clean enough of the exterior to make marks visible, remove loose personal items, and have the keys and authorized contact ready. Photograph the vehicle before it leaves your possession. Include overall views and close-ups of existing scratches, dents, glass damage, wheel marks, and visible accessories.

Keep the original files with dates and avoid filters that obscure the surface. Do not photograph while standing in traffic or beneath unsupported equipment. If the vehicle is at a seller or auction, ask for current condition images; an older sales listing is not a pickup-day record.

Which areas should I document?

• All four sides and the visible roof area from safe ground-level positions.
• Front and rear bumpers, corners, mirrors, and glass.
• Wheels, visible tire condition, and accessible body panels.
• Low-clearance trim, spoilers, racks, and aftermarket accessories.
• Existing damage and any area that cannot be inspected properly.
• Visible interior condition when access is appropriate.

What should I compare at the delivery handoff?

Compare the car with your pickup photographs and the carrier’s condition entries. Look at the same panels and accessories rather than taking only a distant arrival photo. If the vehicle is wet or dirty, document that limitation and ask how a follow-up concern should be reported.

Read the delivery wording before signing and request accurate notes about observed damage. Get a full copy of the delivery document, not just a receipt for payment. Our bill-of-lading guide explains which identity and shipment details to check.

What if delivery happens at night or in bad weather?

Ask in advance about a well-lit, lawful handoff location and your availability to inspect. A nearby permitted parking area may be more useful than a dark residential curb. Neither the customer nor the driver should create a traffic hazard to complete an inspection.

Planning example: an apartment delivery in Chicago is scheduled after sunset. Confirm lighting, space, and a receiving contact before arrival. If a meaningful check is limited, record the limitation factually and contact the carrier promptly about concerns. Do not assume a universal grace period applies to damage discovered later.

What happens if I notice a new scratch or mechanical concern?

Photograph it, identify the affected location, preserve the pickup record, and notify the carrier through a documented channel. Ask for the claim instructions and keep your evidence together. Avoid repairs that could remove useful evidence before discussing inspection needs, unless safety or preventing further damage requires immediate action.

A visual inspection does not establish when every mechanical failure occurred. Preserve repair diagnoses and relevant records rather than stating an unsupported cause. Follow the steps for a damaged delivery and distinguish a condition note from a complete monetary claim.

Inspection questions for owners and receiving contacts

Can someone inspect for me?

Arrange an authorized representative and give them the pickup records, payment instructions, and enough time to check the vehicle.

Does enclosed transport remove the need for inspection?

No. Document the handoff regardless of trailer type.

Should I sign a statement I believe is inaccurate?

Ask for the record to reflect what you observed. If a dispute remains, preserve the facts and seek appropriate guidance.