Online car shipping can make buying a vehicle from another city or state much more practical. Instead of traveling to pick up the automobile yourself, transportation can be coordinated from the seller, dealership, auction, or other pickup location to your requested destination.
The key is making sure the vehicle is ready for release and that the transportation provider receives accurate information about its condition, location, pickup contact, and destination.
How Does Online Car Shipping Work?
Online car shipping usually begins after you’ve agreed to purchase the automobile and know where it needs to be picked up.
Transportation planning typically requires:
- Year, make, and model
- Pickup address
- Delivery location
- Seller or dealer contact
- Operating condition
- Preferred transportation dates
- Open or enclosed carrier preference
- Important vehicle modifications
If you’re buying remotely, confirm these details with the seller before arranging transportation.
What Information Is Needed for Online Vehicle Transport?
Accurate information makes online vehicle transport easier to coordinate.
Have the seller’s:
- Name or business name
- Pickup address
- Telephone number
- Available pickup hours
- Vehicle location
- Release instructions
You should also confirm whether the automobile starts, drives, rolls, steers, and brakes.
Don’t assume a vehicle advertised online is ready for transportation simply because the purchase has been completed.
How Should You Arrange Online Car Shipping?
Before scheduling online car shipping, communicate with both the seller and transportation provider.
Confirm that:
- The transaction is complete.
- The vehicle can be released.
- Keys are available.
- The pickup address is correct.
- Someone will be available at pickup.
- The automobile is accessible.
- Its operating condition is accurate.
Good communication is particularly important when you won’t be present at pickup.
Should You Inspect a Car Before Buying It Online?
Whenever practical, consider obtaining enough information to understand what you’re purchasing before committing to the transaction.
Depending on the situation, that could include reviewing:
- Detailed photographs
- Vehicle history information
- Maintenance records
- Seller disclosures
- Inspection results
- Video of the automobile
- Current mileage
Transportation and vehicle inspection are separate issues. Arranging shipping doesn’t verify the mechanical or cosmetic condition of the automobile you’re purchasing.
Does Vehicle Condition Affect Online Vehicle Shipping?
Yes. Vehicle condition can affect online vehicle shipping, especially if the automobile doesn’t operate normally.
Determine whether it:
- Starts
- Drives
- Rolls
- Steers
- Brakes
- Has inflated tires
- Has significant damage
A running vehicle purchased from a dealership presents a different transportation situation from a project car purchased from a private seller.
Open vs. Enclosed Online Car Shipping
Carrier choice is another consideration when arranging online car shipping.
When Does Open Auto Transport Make Sense?
Open carriers are widely used for vehicle transportation and can be appropriate for many everyday automobiles purchased online.
Vehicles transported on an open carrier experience normal outdoor weather and road exposure.
Open transportation may be considered for:
- Sedans
- Crossovers
- SUVs
- Pickup trucks
- Dealer purchases
- Many standard passenger vehicles
When Should You Consider Enclosed Vehicle Shipping?
Enclosed transportation places the automobile inside a covered trailer and reduces direct exposure to outside weather and normal road conditions.
Owners may consider enclosed transportation for:
- Classic cars
- Collector vehicles
- Exotic automobiles
- Luxury vehicles
- Restored cars
- Specialty automobiles
The appropriate choice depends on the individual vehicle and owner’s priorities.
What Should the Seller Do Before Pickup?
If you aren’t at the pickup location, communicate preparation requirements to the seller.
The vehicle should generally be:
- Accessible
- Ready for release
- Free of unnecessary belongings
- Available with required keys
- Accurately described
- Ready during the agreed pickup period
The seller should also know that a transportation provider will be arriving.
This preparation can make online car shipping easier when the buyer and vehicle are hundreds of miles apart.
Should You Request Photos Before Vehicle Pickup?
Yes, photographs can be useful when purchasing remotely.
Ask for clear images showing:
- Front
- Rear
- Both sides
- Roof
- Wheels
- Windshield
- Interior
- Existing scratches
- Existing dents
- Other visible damage
Recent photographs provide a useful condition reference before online vehicle transport begins.
They are particularly valuable when you haven’t personally inspected the automobile.
Can a Car Be Picked Up From a Private Seller?
Depending on the arrangements, yes.
The seller should know:
- The vehicle is being transported.
- Approximately when pickup is expected.
- Which keys need to be provided.
- Where the vehicle should be accessible.
- Who the transportation contact is.
Accurate seller contact information is important when arranging online car shipping from a private residence.
How Does Dealer Pickup Work?
A dealership may have its own procedures for releasing vehicles to transportation providers.
Before pickup, confirm:
- The transaction is complete.
- The dealership has authorized release.
- The correct department knows about transportation.
- Keys are available.
- Pickup hours are confirmed.
- The vehicle is accessible.
Providing the dealership’s correct contact information can help avoid unnecessary delays during dealer vehicle transport.
Can a Non-Running Online Purchase Be Shipped?
Potentially, depending on its condition and available equipment.
If the automobile doesn’t run, determine whether it:
- Rolls
- Steers
- Brakes
- Has inflated tires
- Has damaged suspension
- Has locked wheels
Don’t describe the vehicle only as “non-running.”
More detailed information can help the transportation provider evaluate the shipment before pickup.
How Does Pickup Access Affect Online Car Shipping?
Large auto carriers need enough space to maneuver and load vehicles.
Potential pickup obstacles include:
- Narrow residential streets
- Low tree branches
- Tight parking lots
- Parking garages
- Gated communities
- Steep driveways
- Weight restrictions
If the seller’s location isn’t suitable for a large carrier, another accessible meeting point may need to be arranged.
Planning for access is an important part of online car shipping.
How Much Does Shipping an Online Purchase Cost?
There isn’t one universal transportation price for vehicles purchased online.
Pricing can depend on:
- Distance
- Route
- Vehicle size
- Operating condition
- Pickup location
- Destination
- Carrier availability
- Open or enclosed transportation
- Seasonal demand
The actual vehicle and transportation route should be used when requesting a quote rather than relying on a generic shipping price.
How Does Distance Affect Online Vehicle Transport?
Distance matters, but mileage isn’t the only factor affecting timing.
Transportation schedules can also depend on:
- Route
- Carrier availability
- Pickup flexibility
- Delivery location
- Weather
- Traffic
- Construction
- Other scheduled stops
Long-distance online vehicle transport generally requires more transit time, but an exact delivery date shouldn’t be assumed from mileage alone.
What Happens When the Carrier Arrives?
The vehicle should be accessible and ready for release.
The appropriate contact person should have the keys and understand that the automobile is being picked up for transportation.
If you’re coordinating everything remotely, make sure the transportation provider and seller have accurate contact information.
Clear communication can prevent a simple pickup misunderstanding from delaying the shipment.
Can Weather Affect Online Car Shipping?
Yes. Auto carriers operate on public highways and can encounter severe weather, traffic, construction, accidents, and road closures.
Those conditions can affect transportation schedules.
Allowing reasonable flexibility can be helpful when coordinating online car shipping, particularly across longer interstate routes.
What Should You Check When the Car Arrives?
Compare the automobile with available pre-transport photographs and applicable transportation documentation.
Inspect:
- Body panels
- Wheels
- Glass
- Exterior accessories
- Existing damage
- Previously documented marks
This is especially important after a remote purchase because delivery may be your first opportunity to see the vehicle in person.
Keep any seller photographs and other condition documentation available for reference.
How Do You Choose an Online Car Transport Provider?
Price matters, but it shouldn’t be your only consideration.
Make sure the transportation provider receives accurate information about the automobile, seller, pickup location, operating condition, destination, and timing.
Consumers can research motor carrier information through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and transportation information through the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Webster Hauling also has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Online Car Shipping FAQs
Can I Ship a Car Bought on the Internet?
Depending on the purchase and transportation arrangements, a vehicle bought remotely can be transported from a seller, dealership, auction, or other suitable pickup location.
Does the Buyer Need to Be at Pickup?
Not necessarily, depending on the arrangements. The seller or another appropriate contact can potentially coordinate the vehicle release. Make sure everyone has the necessary information.
Can a Car Bought From a Private Seller Be Shipped?
Potentially. Confirm the seller’s address, availability, vehicle condition, keys, and carrier access before arranging online car shipping.
What If the Vehicle Doesn’t Run?
Provide specific information about whether it rolls, steers, and brakes. The transportation provider needs more information than simply “doesn’t run.”
Should I Save the Seller’s Photos?
Yes. Recent seller photographs can provide useful documentation of the automobile’s condition before transportation and a reference when it arrives.
For additional transportation information, visit Webster Hauling’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
Plan Your Online Car Shipping
Successful online car shipping starts with communication between the buyer, seller, and transportation provider.
Confirm the vehicle’s location, operating condition, release status, pickup contact, carrier access, destination, and preferred dates before transportation.
Webster Hauling helps customers coordinate transportation for vehicles purchased from dealerships, auctions, private sellers, and other locations.
Having complete information ready can make a remote vehicle purchase much easier to coordinate from pickup through delivery.
