Checking In a Car From a Carrier: What to Look at Before You Sign

When a carrier delivers a car, inspect it with the driver before you sign anything. Compare it to the condition recorded on the bill of lading at pickup, write any new damage on the bill of lading at delivery, and take your own photos. Your signature at delivery says the car arrived as described, so the check has to come first.

On a busy lot it's tempting to sign the driver's paperwork and look at the car later. That is the one habit that makes a damage question hard to sort out. A few minutes at the truck keeps a clean record of what arrived.

What the bill of lading records

The bill of lading (BOL) is the carrier's receipt for the car and its condition report. It records existing scratches, dents and chips at pickup, and it's signed again at delivery. Because it records condition at both ends, it's the document everyone looks at if there's ever a question about damage. Our guide to the bill of lading explains it in more detail.

How to check in a delivered car

1. Confirm it's the right car. Match the VIN to your deal or trade sheet.
2. Walk around it with the driver. Use good light if you can. Look at every panel, the bumpers, the glass and the wheels.
3. Compare against the pickup notes. Damage noted at pickup was already there. Anything new is what matters.
4. Write new damage on the BOL before you sign. Be specific about where it is and what it looks like.
5. Take your own photos. Wide shots of each side and close-ups of anything you noted, with the time and date.
6. Check the inside and the keys. Make sure the keys, any second key and any items listed at pickup arrived with the car.

If the car arrives after hours

Night drops make inspection harder. If a delivery has to happen outside business hours, agree in advance who receives the car and how it gets checked in, and inspect it in good light as soon as you can. Tell your transport company right away about anything you find.

If you find new damage

Note it on the bill of lading at delivery, photograph it, and contact your transport company the same day. A clear note on the BOL, plus photos taken at the truck, is the record that lets the claim be handled with the carrier's insurance. Every FCT shipment is with a vetted, fully insured carrier, and your FCT contact stays on the order until it's sorted out.

Make it a lot habit

• One rule for everyone. No signature until the car has been walked.
• Keep the photos with the deal file. They're your record of what arrived.
• Pair it with the pickup check. The same people who check cars out can check them in. Our guide on stopping carrier fraud at pickup covers the outbound side.

Frequently asked questions

What should I check when a car is delivered by a carrier?

Confirm the VIN, walk around the car with the driver, compare it to the condition noted on the bill of lading at pickup, check the keys and anything listed at pickup, and photograph it.

Should I sign the bill of lading before inspecting the car?

No. Inspect first. Your signature at delivery confirms the car arrived as described, so note any new damage on the bill of lading before you sign.

What if I find damage after the driver leaves?

Photograph it and contact your transport company the same day. Damage noted on the bill of lading at delivery is the strongest record, which is why the walk-around happens before signing.

Is the car insured during transport?

Every FCT shipment moves with a vetted, fully insured carrier. A clear note on the bill of lading and your photos are what a damage claim is built on.

Need a car moved?

FCT gives dealers one point of contact from quote to drop-off. Request a quote or call (980) 552-1101, and a real person gets back to you.