You should inspect your car and have an idea of the damages your car already has.  The transporter will also inspect the car and may have found additional areas missed by your inspection.  Inspecting the car before and after transport helps to identify any damages caused during transport. 

You should inspect every panel of your vehicle for damage and take pictures where you find damage in addition to the pictures showing the overall condition of the vehicle. 

Make sure your vehicle is in drivable condition and is not leaking any fluids.  Let them know if you have an app that can lock or unlock the vehicle. 

Make sure the vehicle is clean enough to be inspected properly. 

For example, If the battery is on its way out and it still works because you run the car everyday and that helps it recharge, when the car is being transported and the car is on the truck for a few days, it will most likely be dead on arrival. 

Lets go through how to do a thorough inspection.

Start with the front bumper.  Check for any damage on the surface such as rock chips and scratches which are common, and look underneath where its possible you may have scraped the underside parking too far over a parking bollard in a shopping center or going into a steep driveway.  Check to make sure the bumper is not loose. 

If any body panel is loose, it is the customer’s responsibility to secure it prior to handing it off to the transporter.  If it becomes dislodged during transport it is not covered under insurance and any damage it causes to yours or other vehicles is the customer’s responsibility. 

Check the grille for damage. 

Check the lights for scuffs or cracks.

Check the hood by looking at it from many angles to see small dings and scratches which may appear from a different angle or where the light from the sky shines differently.  Rock chips are common on hoods from routine driving.  Secure any bug guards from flying away with tape.  If you have an antenna, it would be best to unscrew it and keep it in the car to prevent it from getting caught and being pulled out. 

Check both fenders.

Check the rims for scratches and damage. 

Check the tires for sidewall damage or gouges.  Also make sure they are properly inflated.  Most trucks use over the tire straps which put pressure on the tires to secure the vehicle.  The pressure may cause it slow leak and eventually lead to a flat by the time its delivered.

Check the windshield thoroughly for rock chips and cracks.  During transport sometimes a crack in the windshield becomes even bigger just by the bouncing around of the truck. 

Check both side mirrors covers for scratches and damage. These areas can take damage easily as they are the most protruded parts of the vehicle in terms of width.  If these areas are loose, secure them from flying away, which unfortunately happens alot due to the high winds and elevation of the truck.  Also, if you have aftermarket caps, such as the carbon fiber variety, or polished chrome, secure them from damage with tape or other means. 

Any aftermarket parts must be secured by the customer.  The insurances will not cover aftermarket parts or the repairs associated with them. 

Check the mirrors as well for cracks. 

Check the front and rear doors for scratches and dings.  View them from many angles and use the light to help you see hidden dings not easily seen.  Those rain guards that go along the top or your windows are usually secured by double sided tape and almost always fly away.  Secure those if you have those on your car. 

Check the rocker panel (panel underneath the doors) for damage. 

Check your rear rims and tires the same as the front.

Check both quarter panels and pay attention to the fuel door.  This door sometimes comes open during transport and can get bent backwards during shipment.  This would be covered by insurance but its best to avoid issues by taping the fuel door preventatively. 

Check rear glass for cracks.

Check the roof for any dents and scratches caused by luggage or storms.  Roofs sometimes get damaged by the transporters when they pass under low tree branches.  This is an area to pay attention to when inspecting.  If you have a rack system attached to the roof rails, it must be removed if possible prior to pick up.  If not removed, rack systems cause extra height which may affect the trucker’s ability to load your vehicle.  They may leave your vehicle or ask for more money since they have to book a much smaller and cheaper car to compensate for the extra height your rack system has taken up. 

Check the trunk area for scratches and dings, same as the hood, but pay attention to the license plate and its holder.  Make sure this area is secure because it can fly off during transport, and routinely does.  Its best to put tape across your plate to help secure it, and also to cover it in areas where they bill tolls by reading the plates.  Dealing with the DMV or tolling agency are both painful endeavors and is best to be avoided. Secure your plate. If you have a front plate, secure that one as well.

If you have a factory rear spoiler, you should be okay as it is usually fastened well, but I would secure that as well.  Aftermarket spoilers will fly away, so please secure them. 

Check the rear bumper for damage and to make sure its not loose.  Check under the bumper as well if the car is low as it may have gotten scraped pulling out of a driveway. 

Now that you’ve done such a thorough inspection you are aware of all pre existing issues your car has in addition to pictures that support your findings.  These will be useful if you ever need to check back and compare if something questionable comes up at the delivery inspection.  It can help you decide if a damage was already there or is new. 

When the car is delivered, do a thorough inspection as well and either mark any questionable issues on the BOL, or if everything is fine, then just sign off and complete the delivery. 

Remember, payment cannot be withheld for damages.  The transporters are to be paid, always, and any damages will be dealt with separately. 

In the event of a possible claim, this inspection (along with the pictures taken as well) will help identify a legitimate claim and save everyone time and effort.