Car delivery cost in the UK: what to expect in 2026

Moving house to the other end of the country, buying a car online or shipping a classic to a show? Car delivery cost in the UK depends on distance, the type of transport, and whether the car runs. This guide explains those factors, gives typical approximate prices for common distances, and shows how to get an accurate quote rather than a guess.

The figures below are typical UK market ranges, not our prices. Our own vehicle transport is always priced as a custom quote based on your route and vehicle.

Typical car delivery cost in the UK

For a standard running car on an open transporter, short local deliveries often start from around £100–£200, mid-distance moves are commonly a few hundred pounds, and end-to-end UK journeys can be £500–£900 or more. Enclosed transport, prestige vehicles and urgent dates sit above those ranges.

• Distance: the main driver — but cost per mile usually falls on longer trips.
• Transport type: open, enclosed, single-car trailer or driven delivery.
• Vehicle size and value: vans, 4x4s and prestige cars cost more.
• Condition: non-runners need winching and suitable equipment.
• Timing: fixed or urgent dates cost more than flexible ones.
• Access: narrow streets and restricted parking at either end.

Cost by distance: 100 and 300 miles

Two of the most common questions are how much to transport a car 100 miles in the UK, and how much to transport a car 300 miles. These are broad, approximate ranges for a standard running car:

Treat these as a sense-check. Prices change with fuel costs, demand and how well your route matches a transporter’s existing schedule.

You’ll notice the price doesn’t double when the distance does. A large part of the cost is fixed — loading, securing the car, paperwork and getting the transporter to the collection point — so longer journeys usually work out cheaper per mile. Popular motorway routes between big cities also tend to be better value than remote rural addresses, where a transporter may have to make a special trip.

Driven delivery (where a trade plate driver drives your car to its destination) can sometimes be cheaper on short routes, but it adds mileage and wear. Most people moving house prefer the car to travel on a transporter.

Open vs enclosed transport

Open transporters are the multi-car lorries you see on motorways. They’re the cheapest option per car, and fine for most everyday vehicles. Enclosed transport protects the car from weather and road debris and suits classics, prestige cars and anything with paintwork you’d rather not risk — at a higher price.

A single-car trailer or enclosed van usually means a direct journey on your date, rather than waiting for a multi-drop route to fill.

Running vs non-running cars

A non-running car needs to be winched on and off, which takes more time and the right equipment. Expect a surcharge, and tell your transporter upfront — including whether the wheels turn and the steering and handbrake work. Arriving with the wrong equipment is the quickest way to a failed collection.

The same applies to cars with flat tyres, low ground clearance or modifications. Lowered sports cars may need a transporter with a gentle ramp angle, and very large vehicles may not fit on a standard trailer. The more you describe upfront, the more accurate the price.

Car delivery cost calculators

A car delivery cost calculator in the UK can give you a ballpark in seconds, but most only factor in distance and vehicle size. They won’t know about a tight mews, a non-runner or a specific date. For an accurate price, share:

1. Collection and delivery postcodes.
2. Make, model and whether the car runs.
3. Your preferred dates and how flexible they are.
4. Access notes and photos at both ends.
5. Whether you need open or enclosed transport.

How to prepare your car for transport

• Wash the car so existing marks are easy to see, then photograph every side.
• Remove personal items and anything loose in the boot.
• Leave around a quarter of a tank — enough to load, not extra weight.
• Fold mirrors, remove roof boxes and secure aerials.
• Note the mileage and any warning lights before collection.
• Hand over a spare key if the transporter asks for one.

A simple condition check at collection and delivery, signed by both sides, protects you and the driver if there’s ever a question about damage.

Moving house and a car together

Most of the car transport enquiries we see come from people moving home a long way — London to Scotland, the North East or the South West — who have two cars and only one driver, or who would rather not spend a day on the motorway after loading a house. In that case, the car is one more item on the moving plan, and the timing matters as much as the price.

1. Decide whether the car needs to arrive before you, with you or after you.
2. Check parking at the new address — a transporter needs room to unload, and some streets can’t take one.
3. Agree a meeting point if the street is too narrow, such as a nearby wider road or car park.
4. Keep the documents, spare key and any locking wheel nut with you, not in the removals van.
5. Tell your insurer the car’s new address once it’s delivered.

Flexibility saves money here. If the car can travel a few days either side of your moving date, a transporter can fit it onto a route it’s already running rather than making a dedicated trip. If you need the car on the same day as the keys, expect that to be reflected in the price.

What we see on real jobs is that the street at the delivery end is the most common problem. A large multi-car transporter can’t always get down a residential road lined with parked cars, so the handover happens round the corner. Sending a photo of the street and mentioning width or weight restrictions when you ask for a quote avoids a failed delivery.

Questions to ask a car transporter

Prices for the same route can vary widely, so compare like with like. Before you book, ask:

• Is the price fixed, and does it include fuel, tolls and any charging zones?
• Will the car travel on an open or enclosed transporter, and is it a direct journey?
• What is the goods-in-transit limit, and does it cover the car’s full value?
• How is the condition check done at collection and delivery?
• What are the collection and delivery windows — a set day, or a range of days?
• What happens, and who pays, if the car can’t be collected or delivered as planned?

Get the answers in writing. If anything is vague — particularly the insurance — treat it as a reason to keep looking rather than a detail to sort out later.

Motorbikes and smaller vehicles

Motorbikes are much simpler: they can travel securely strapped in a van, sometimes alongside your other belongings. Our motorbike transport starts from £80.

FAQs

How much to transport a car 100 miles in the UK?

Typically around £150–£300 on an open transporter for a standard running car, more for enclosed or non-running vehicles.

How much to transport a car 300 miles in the UK?

Roughly £350–£600 on open transport and around £550–£900 enclosed, depending on the route, vehicle and dates.

Is car transport insured?

Reputable transporters carry goods-in-transit cover. Always ask what the limit is and check it covers your car’s value.

Do you transport cars as well as house contents?

Yes. Vehicle transport is quoted individually, and we can coordinate it with your house move.

See vehicle transport or contact us.

About the author

Sameer Ahmad Basra

Writer

Sameer writes practical, no-nonsense moving guides for Londoners — drawn from real jobs across all 32 boroughs, covering vans, packing, permits and fixed-price removals.