Car Shipping Delivery Inspection: What to Check Before You Sign

Delivery day is exciting, but the last five minutes matter. The driver has another stop, you want your keys, and it is tempting to sign immediately. Pause long enough to compare the vehicle with the pickup record.

This checklist is about documenting condition accurately, not arguing over every speck of road dust. For a broader explanation of coverage and claims, read our insurance and damage-claims guide.

Bring the pickup record to the handoff

Before the truck arrives, find the pickup bill of lading, inspection diagram, and your pickup photos. Keep your order number and broker contact handy. If someone else is receiving the car, send that person the records and explain what they should check.

Choose a safe, well-lit meeting point with room for unloading. Never stand in the path of a moving vehicle or try to inspect underneath an active trailer.

Inspect in the same order every time

Walk around the car with the driver after unloading. Check the roof, hood, trunk, bumpers, doors, glass, lights, mirrors, wheels, and visible lower panels. Look for new dents, scratches, cracked glass, loose trim, fluid leaks, or parts that were present at pickup but are now missing.

Then confirm the keys, basic ability to start or roll, and any special equipment or accessories specifically recorded at pickup. Normal road dust or weather exposure is not itself evidence of transport damage; compare the same areas in your earlier photos.

Take wide photos showing the whole side of the vehicle and close-ups of any concern. Include enough surrounding panel detail to identify where a mark is. Keep the original files and their timestamps.

Write the exception before signing

If you see a new concern, describe its location and appearance on the delivery bill of lading: for example, “new crease on right rear door below handle.” Avoid a vague note such as “damage.” Ask the driver to acknowledge the notation and keep a copy of the completed document.

If the driver disagrees, record what you observed without changing an accurate note just to finish the handoff. Do not sign a blank form. If a digital signature screen does not show your notes, ask to see the completed record before approving it.

What if the conditions are poor?

Rain, darkness, snow, or a tight unloading area can limit inspection. Use safe lighting, photograph what you can, and note the limitation on the document. Do not make an unsafe examination. Contact the broker as soon as you can if a concern becomes visible after the vehicle is moved to a better location.

After delivery

Save the delivery and pickup records together with your photos, order, and messages. Notify the broker and carrier promptly about a possible claim, follow their written process, and ask what documentation or estimate they need. The contract and applicable coverage determine the next steps; do not assume the broker’s quote itself is an insurance policy.

For your next shipment, request a quote and plan who will be present at both inspections.