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UK Car Transport

Compare Trusted Car Transporters Across the UK

Get competitive quotes from insured UK car transporters in minutes.

DeliveryQuoteCompare helps you compare trusted car transporters across the UK for standard cars, auction purchases, dealership vehicles, classic cars, prestige vehicles and non-running vehicles.

Instead of contacting multiple vehicle delivery companies separately, customers submit one request and receive competing quotes from transporters already operating on or near their route.

Compare prices, transport methods, availability and customer feedback before choosing the service that best suits your vehicle and budget.

What are car transporters?

Car transporters are professional vehicle delivery companies that move cars across the UK using trade plate delivery, trailer transport, open transporters or enclosed carriers.

At a glance:

UK car transport typically costs £0.90 to £3.00 per mile
Most jobs are completed within 1 to 3 working days
Trade plate delivery is often cheapest for roadworthy cars
Trailer or flatbed transport is usually needed for non-running vehicles
Enclosed transport is best for classic, prestige and high-value cars

Last updated: 10 April 2026. This page is maintained by DeliveryQuoteCompare using current UK car transport market guidance and platform quote trends.

Nationwide UK car transporter coverage

Quotes from professional insured transporters

Trade plate, trailer, open and enclosed options

Transport for standard, classic, prestige and non-running cars

Rated 4.1★ on Trustpilot by UK customers.

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Quick Answers: UK Car Transport

What is car transport?
Car transport is a service that moves a vehicle from one location to another using a professional driver, trailer, open transporter or enclosed carrier.

How much does car transport cost in the UK?
UK car transport usually costs between £0.90 and £3.00 per mile, depending on the route, distance, vehicle type, urgency and transport method.

What is the cheapest way to transport a car?
For roadworthy vehicles, trade plate delivery is often the cheapest option. For flexible bookings, backloading can also reduce the final cost.

How long does car transport take?
Most UK car transport jobs are completed within 1 to 3 working days, depending on route availability and notice period.

Who Uses This Service?

People buying cars from auctions or online marketplaces

Dealerships moving vehicles between locations

Owners transporting non-running or salvage vehicles

Collectors moving classic, prestige or specialist cars

Anyone relocating a vehicle without adding extra mileage

Related Vehicle Transport Services

Other Delivery Services

How Car Transport Works

DeliveryQuoteCompare lets customers compare quotes from multiple UK car transporters in one place.

A customer submits one quote request with vehicle details, collection postcode, destination and preferred dates. Transporters with relevant route availability can then respond with quotes.

Step 1: Enter your vehicle, collection and delivery details.

Step 2: Receive quotes from available car transporters.

Step 3: Compare prices, service type, delivery timing and reviews.

Step 4: Choose the transporter that best fits your vehicle and budget.

Comparing multiple car transporters in one place helps customers review price, method, availability and feedback before choosing a provider.

Car Transport Services Available in the UK

Customers use DeliveryQuoteCompare for standard car delivery, auction vehicle collection, dealership transfers, classic car transport, prestige vehicle delivery and non-running car transport.

Classic and collector car transport

For vintage, restoration, enthusiast and higher-value vehicles that need added care.

Non-running vehicle transport

For vehicles that cannot be driven and require trailer or flatbed collection.

Enclosed car transport

For prestige, collector, classic and specialist vehicles that need extra protection.

Transporters on the platform cover England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including major cities, regional routes and rural destinations.

How Much Does Car Transport Cost in the UK?

Car transport in the UK usually costs between £0.90 and £3.00 per mile. Short-distance jobs are generally more expensive per mile, while longer-distance journeys are usually cheaper per mile.

The prices on this page are general UK guide prices and may vary depending on route demand, vehicle condition, urgency, delivery method and transporter availability.

Route demand, urgency, vehicle size, transport type and date flexibility all affect the final quote.

Average UK Car Transport Costs Per Mile

Route Type	Distance	Average Cost Per Mile
Short Distance	Under 50 miles	£2.00-£3.00
Medium Distance	50-150 miles	£1.30-£2.00
Long Distance	150+ miles	£0.90-£1.30

Estimated UK Car Delivery Quotes By Route

Popular Route	Distance	Estimated Quote
London to Manchester	210 miles	£220-£320
Birmingham to Glasgow	290 miles	£300-£420
Leeds to London	195 miles	£200-£290
Edinburgh to London	400 miles	£380-£520
Bristol to Newcastle	270 miles	£280-£390

Flexible dates can reduce the price, especially when a transporter can fit your vehicle into an existing route or return journey.

What Affects Car Transport Prices?

Distance and route demand

Popular routes often attract more transporter availability, which can help keep prices competitive. Remote or less common routes may cost more.

Vehicle size and weight

Larger vehicles such as SUVs, vans and 4x4s usually cost more to transport than smaller hatchbacks and saloons.

Transport method

Trade plate delivery is often the lowest-cost option for roadworthy vehicles. Trailer and enclosed transport usually cost more because of equipment and handling requirements.

Collection flexibility

Flexible dates can lower the quote by giving the transporter more routing options.

Urgency

Same-day or next-day vehicle transport usually costs more than booking ahead.

Open vs Enclosed vs Trade Plate Car Transport

Trade plate delivery

A professional driver drives the car to its destination.

Usually the cheapest option for roadworthy cars
Good for standard vehicles
Adds mileage to the odometer

Open transport

The car is loaded onto a trailer or open transporter.

Zero added mileage
Suitable for most standard vehicles
Common choice for auction and dealership transport

Enclosed transport

The vehicle is moved in a covered transporter for extra protection.

Best for prestige, classic and high-value cars
Protects against weather and road debris
Usually the highest-cost option

Simple comparison: Trade plate delivery is usually cheapest, open transport is a strong all-round option and enclosed transport is best for vehicles where protection matters more than price.

Trade plate use should comply with DVLA trade plate regulations.

What Is Backloading in Car Transport?

Backloading is when a transporter offers a reduced quote to fill empty space on a return journey.

Backloading is often one of the cheapest professional car transport options when your schedule is flexible and your route matches a carrier's existing journey.

How to Choose the Right Car Transporter

Check insurance cover

Professional transporters should carry insurance. For prestige or classic cars, confirm that the cover level matches the vehicle's value.

Read reviews

Look for reviews that mention punctuality, communication and vehicle condition on delivery.

Confirm the transport method

Make sure the quote matches the service you need, especially for non-runners, classics and high-value vehicles.

Check delivery timing

Ask for a realistic collection and delivery window before booking.

How to Prepare Your Car for Transport

Photograph the vehicle: Take clear exterior and interior photos before collection.
Remove personal items: Remove valuables and loose items from the car.
Leave a small amount of fuel: Around a quarter tank is usually enough.
Secure loose parts: Fold mirrors and check trims, spoilers and accessories.
Prepare keys and documents: Have keys and any handover information ready.
Tell the transporter about alarms or faults: This helps avoid delays during collection and unloading.

Car Transporters UK FAQ

How much does car transport cost in the UK?

Car transport in the UK usually costs between £0.90 and £3.00 per mile. Shorter journeys generally cost more per mile, while longer journeys are usually cheaper per mile.

What is the cheapest way to transport a car?

Trade plate delivery is often the cheapest way to transport a roadworthy car. Flexible bookings may also benefit from backloading discounts.

What is the difference between trade plate and trailer delivery?

Trade plate delivery means the vehicle is driven by a professional driver. Trailer delivery means the vehicle is carried and arrives with zero added mileage.

When should I choose enclosed car transport?

Enclosed car transport is best for prestige, classic, collector and other high-value vehicles where extra protection is important.

Can non-running cars be transported?

Yes. Non-running cars usually require trailer, flatbed or specialist recovery-style transport.

How long does UK car transport take?

Most UK car transport jobs are completed within 1 to 3 working days, depending on route availability, notice and vehicle type.

Are UK car transport companies insured?

Professional transporters normally carry insurance, but customers should confirm the exact cover level before booking.

Do I need to be present for collection and delivery?

You or a nominated representative should usually be present to hand over keys, inspect the vehicle and complete any required paperwork.

Contact and Support

Need help with your quote request or transport options? Our team can help with questions about the platform and vehicle transport requirements.

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