Open vs Enclosed Transport
Open carriers are the most cost-effective option for standard vehicles. Your car is loaded onto a multi-car transporter alongside other vehicles heading in the same direction, which keeps costs down. Enclosed transport uses a fully covered trailer that protects your vehicle from weather, road debris, and prying eyes. It costs more but is the right choice for classic cars, prestige vehicles, and anything worth over £30,000. When posting your job, mention if you need enclosed transport so you receive accurate quotes.
Non-Running Vehicles
If your car doesn't start, can't roll, or has been in an accident, our transporters have winch-equipped vehicles to load it safely. Non-running vehicles need specialist equipment and sometimes take longer to load, so the price is typically higher than a running vehicle. Make sure to select "non-running" when posting your job — this helps transporters send accurate quotes and bring the right equipment on collection day.
How Car Transport Works
Post your job with the make, model, and whether it runs. Add your collection and delivery postcodes plus your preferred date. Verified transporters will then send you competing quotes which you can compare side by side. Once you accept a quote, your transporter arranges collection. Most cars are moved on multi-car transporters for cost efficiency, or on single-vehicle trailers for door-to-door service. Your vehicle is secured with wheel straps and ratchet ties throughout transit.
When You Might Need Car Transport
The most common reasons people use car transport include buying a vehicle online or at auction, relocating for work, moving a car that has failed its MOT, importing a vehicle from Europe, or sending a classic car to a show or specialist workshop. Whatever the reason, getting multiple quotes ensures you pay a fair price.
UK and European Routes
Our transporters cover the entire UK mainland plus routes to and from European countries. Cross-channel moves typically use the Eurotunnel or ferry services, and your transporter handles all the logistics. For international moves, provide as much detail as possible about both addresses so transporters can plan the best route and give you an accurate price.
How Much Does Car Transport Cost in the UK?
As a rough guide, UK car transport costs between £1 and £2 per mile, with most mainland moves landing between £150 and £500. A short local move under 100 miles typically starts around £150, a 200-mile move runs about £250 to £400, and long-distance routes the length of the country are usually £400 to £500. Non-running vehicles, enclosed transport, and urgent or dedicated (non-shared) loads add to the price. The single biggest saving comes from being flexible on dates, because it lets transporters add your car to a shared load heading your way. The only way to know the real price for your route is to compare several quotes side by side.
Comparing Car Transport Quotes
Posting one job and letting verified carriers compete is far cheaper than ringing round individual firms. When you compare car transport quotes, look beyond the headline price: check that goods-in-transit insurance is included, confirm whether the quote is for a shared or dedicated load, and read the transporter's reviews and completed-job count. A slightly higher quote from a well-reviewed carrier with the right equipment is usually better value than the cheapest price from an unproven one. Every quote on TransportQuoteCompare comes from a carrier whose insurance and credentials we verify before they can bid.
FAQ
- How much does car transport cost in the UK?
- Typical costs range from £150 to £500 for UK mainland moves depending on distance and vehicle type. Short moves under 100 miles start from around £150. Longer routes across the country are usually £300 to £500. Non-running vehicles and enclosed transport cost more. The best way to find the actual price is to compare quotes from multiple transporters.
- How much is car transport per mile?
- Most UK car transport works out at roughly £1 to £2 per mile, and the per-mile rate falls the further you go because the fixed costs of collection and loading are spread over more distance. A 50-mile move might be closer to £2 to £3 per mile, while a 400-mile move can drop below £1 per mile. Distance, vehicle size, and whether the car runs all affect the final figure.
- How do I compare car transport quotes?
- Post one job describing your vehicle and your collection and delivery postcodes, and verified transporters send you competing quotes you can compare in one place. Compare on insurance cover, shared versus dedicated load, transporter reviews, and collection date — not just the lowest price. It is free to post a job and there is no obligation to accept any quote.
- Is my car insured during transport?
- Yes, all verified transporters on our platform carry goods-in-transit insurance as a minimum requirement. This covers your vehicle against damage during loading, transit, and unloading. We verify insurance certificates before any transporter can quote on jobs. You can also ask your transporter to confirm their cover level before booking.
- How long does car transport take?
- Most UK mainland moves are completed within 3 to 5 working days. Short-distance moves can often be done next day or within 48 hours. Longer routes may take up to a week, especially if your car is sharing a transporter with other vehicles heading in a similar direction. Express or dedicated transport is available if you need a faster service.
- Can I transport a car that has no MOT?
- Yes. A car without a valid MOT cannot be driven on public roads, but it can be transported on a trailer or transporter. Many of our carriers specialise in moving non-roadworthy vehicles. Just mark it as non-running when you post your job.
- Do I need to be present for collection and delivery?
- You or someone you nominate needs to be at both the collection and delivery addresses to hand over keys and sign paperwork. If you cannot be present, arrange for a trusted person to be there on your behalf and let your transporter know in advance.
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Car Transport by City
Compare local car transport quotes in the UK's biggest cities, with carriers who know the routes.