Open Multi-Car Transporter
The lorry you see on the motorway: vehicles loaded in rows on an open trailer and strapped or chained down. Operators say the largest rigs carry up to roughly 8 to 10 vehicles. It is the lowest-cost default because the cost of the lorry is shared across every car heading the same way. The trade-off is that your car is exposed to weather and road dirt for the whole journey. Choose this if it is an everyday car and your dates are flexible.
Single-Car Transporter
One vehicle on a trailer or a small lorry. It suits a one-off private job: you bought a car three counties away, or you need one collected from your drive and dropped at a new address. The driver is working your route only, so timings tend to be easier to pin down. There is no shared load to split the cost, so ask for a quote rather than assume.
Enclosed or Covered Transport
A covered trailer keeps the car out of the rain, away from stone chips and out of public view. Operators say an enclosed trailer typically takes one or two vehicles, against three or four on an open one. It suits classics, prestige cars and anything high value. Fewer firms offer it, which is one reason quotes cost noticeably more and can come back more slowly.
Recovery and Non-Runners
A car that will not start, has no brakes or sits on flat tyres needs a winch, a ramp or a recovery truck. Not every transporter carries that kit, so say it does not run when you post your job and the right firms can price it properly. If the car is untaxed or declared off road (SORN), check the current rules on GOV.UK before arranging the move.
Trade-Plate Driven Delivery
No lorry at all. A driver drives your car to its destination on trade plates, a licence motor-trade businesses hold to move vehicles for business. It can suit a short, urgent move of a roadworthy car, but the car covers the road miles itself, and many trade-plate firms mainly serve dealers, so confirm they take private jobs.
Open or Enclosed? Four Quick Tests
Open is usually fine if it is an everyday car you would happily park on the street, a wash on arrival would sort any road dirt, it has normal ground clearance for a ramp, and your dates can move a few days to fit a route. Consider enclosed if it is a classic, prestige or high-value car, you would worry about rain or stone chips on the motorway, it sits low or has delicate paint or trim, or you would rather it stayed out of public view. If you are in the second group, ask for enclosed quotes and expect fewer responses at a higher price.
Who Offers Which Service
Most UK car transport firms describe themselves as general vehicle transporters. Specialists are a small slice of the market: in our catalogue of UK car transport businesses (built from Google Maps listings and web searches, May to October 2026), fewer than 1 in 10 mention enclosed transport. With fewer firms offering them, enclosed and non-runner jobs can draw fewer quotes, so say exactly what you need when you post.
Get Quotes You Can Compare
Ring five firms and you get five quotes for five slightly different jobs. Post once, with the same details in front of every transporter, and the numbers line up. Include the make and model, whether it runs, open or enclosed, the collection and delivery postcodes, your dates and how flexible they are, and any access issues such as low ground clearance or a narrow street.
FAQ
- What is automotive car transport?
- Moving a vehicle by road without driving it yourself, typically on an open multi-car transporter, single-car transporter, enclosed trailer or recovery truck, or driven by a trade-plate driver. The right choice depends on your vehicle's value, whether it runs, and how quickly it needs to move.
- Is open car transport safe?
- Open transport is the usual choice for everyday cars and the lowest-cost default. Vehicles are strapped down but exposed to weather and road dirt. If you would worry about rain, stone chips or public view, such as with a classic or prestige car, ask for enclosed quotes. Check any transporter's insurance limits before you book.
- What is a multi-car transporter?
- A lorry or trailer that carries several vehicles at once, loaded in rows and secured with straps or chains. Costs are shared across vehicles on the same route, which is why this is the usual low-cost choice. Operators say the largest rigs carry up to around 8 to 10 cars.
- Can you transport a car that does not run?
- Yes, but it needs a winch, ramp or recovery truck, so tell transporters it is a non-runner when you post the job. For an untaxed or SORN vehicle, check the current rules on GOV.UK before arranging the move.
- What is trade plate delivery?
- A driver drives your car to its destination on trade plates, a licence motor-trade businesses hold to move vehicles for business. It can suit short, urgent moves of a roadworthy car, but the car covers the road miles itself and many trade-plate firms mainly serve dealers, so ask whether they take private jobs.
- How far in advance should I book?
- There is no fixed rule. More flexibility on collection dates generally gives transporters more room to fit your car on a route they are already running, and enclosed or specialist moves can take longer to quote because fewer firms offer them. Post the job as soon as you know your postcodes and rough dates.
Ready to Get Quotes?
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