BOOKED-AHEAD VEHICLE TRANSPORT
Vehicle transport in Nottingham
Planned collection and delivery.
Breakdown Recovery Nottingham moves cars, vans and motorcycles on a recovery truck, on a date you book in advance, collecting in and around Nottingham and delivering to the address you choose.
It’s for vehicles that can’t or shouldn’t be driven, like a non-runner going to a garage or a car without a current MOT, and for vehicles you’ve bought somewhere else and need bringing home.
Broken down right now? This page is for planned moves. For a vehicle that needs collecting now, see van recovery, motorcycle recovery, accident recovery or roadside assistance.
Your vehicle carried on our truck, by arrangement.
COMMON REASONS
Why people book vehicle transport
A non-runner going to a garage
a car that won’t start, has a known fault, or has been off the road for a while.
A car bought from a private seller
that you can’t or don’t want to drive home.
An auction purchase
that needs collecting from the auction site.
A move between garages or to a bodyshop,
for repairs, a second opinion or specialist work.
A SORN, untaxed or project vehicle
that can’t legally be driven on the road.
This service isn’t self-drive transporter or trailer hire, international shipping, or a buy-your-car service.
CARS, VANS AND MOTORCYCLES
What we can move
We transport cars, vans and motorcycles. Whether a particular vehicle fits depends on its length, height and actual weight, not just its type, so tell us the make, model and registration when you ask for a quote, and we’ll confirm before you book.
- Vans: long-wheelbase, high-roof and Luton vans need a truck with enough bed length and carrying capacity. Our van recovery page explains how the truck is matched to the van.
- Motorcycles and scooters: a bike has to be held upright and secured for the whole journey. See motorcycle recovery for what we need to know about bodywork, damage and stands.
- Low, lowered or long vehicles, electric vehicles and classics: tell us when you ask for a quote, because they can change how the vehicle is loaded.
HELP US QUOTE ACCURATELY
Before you book: the vehicle’s condition
The vehicle’s condition decides how it’s loaded, and sometimes whether it can be collected at all. Telling us now avoids a failed collection.
| Check | Tell us | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Does it start and drive? | Yes, no, or only sometimes | A vehicle that can’t be driven onto the truck needs a different loading method |
| Does it roll freely? | Whether the handbrake releases and it goes into neutral | A locked wheel or a vehicle stuck in gear needs different loading |
| Does it steer? | Whether the steering is locked or damaged | It affects how the vehicle can be guided onto the truck |
| Does it brake? | Whether the brakes work | Brakes are needed to control the vehicle while loading and unloading |
| Are the tyres and wheels intact? | Any flat, missing or damaged wheels | A vehicle has to be secure on the bed |
| Are the keys available? | Where the keys are and who has them | Without keys, the steering lock may be on and the vehicle can’t be unlocked |
| Is it low or modified? | Low ground clearance, body kits, spoilers | A low vehicle can catch when it’s loaded |
| What’s the access like? | Gates, narrow roads, steep drives, height limits, parking | The truck needs room to load safely at both ends |
MOVING A VEHICLE THAT CAN’T BE DRIVEN
Untaxed, SORN or without an MOT
A vehicle that’s untaxed, declared off the road (SORN) or without a current MOT can’t normally be driven on a public road. When we move it, it travels on the truck rather than being driven.
The government’s rules are about driving, using or keeping these vehicles on a public road:
- SORN: GOV.UK says a vehicle is off the road "if you do not keep or use it on a public road, for example if it’s in a garage, on a drive or on private land". A SORN vehicle can only be driven on a public road to or from a pre-booked MOT or other testing appointment.
- No MOT: GOV.UK says you can’t drive or park a vehicle on the road once its MOT has run out, apart from driving it to or from somewhere to be repaired, or to a pre-arranged MOT test.
- Bought an untaxed car? GOV.UK says you must tax a vehicle you’ve bought before you drive it, or declare it off the road. "The tax is not transferred" from the previous keeper.
- Bought a SORN car? A SORN doesn’t transfer either. GOV.UK says "you cannot transfer a SORN from the previous keeper", so if you’re keeping the vehicle off the road, you need to make your own SORN.
Because of this, we deliver SORN and untaxed vehicles to private land, such as a driveway, garage or workshop, not to a space on a public street. Once it’s delivered, don’t drive the vehicle unless it’s taxed and has a valid MOT, apart from the journeys GOV.UK allows.
Any permitted road journey still requires suitable insurance and a roadworthy vehicle.
A QUOTE BEFORE YOU BOOK
How the price is worked out
Every transport job is priced individually, and we give you the full price before you book. The main things that affect it:
| Factor | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Distance between collection and delivery | The time and fuel involved |
| Vehicle size and weight | Which truck can carry it safely |
| Condition | Extra time and equipment if the vehicle doesn’t drive, roll or steer |
| Access at each end | Tight access, gates or restricted parking can add time |
| Timing | The date and time you need, and how much notice you give |
| Waiting time or extra stops | Delays at collection, or more than one collection or delivery point |
| Storage | If the vehicle needs keeping at our Long Eaton yard before delivery |
When we quote, we’ll confirm what’s included, what could cost extra, when payment is due and how you can pay. See our terms and conditions for cancellation.
HAVE THESE READY
What to send when you ask for a quote
- Collection and delivery addresses, with postcodes.
- The vehicle: registration, make and model.
- Its condition, using the checklist above.
- Keys: where they are and who will hand them over.
- Contacts at both ends: a name and phone number for whoever will be there at collection and at delivery.
- Your preferred dates and any times that won’t work.
- Access notes: gates, parking, narrow roads or height limits.
- For an auction collection: the auction site, and your booking, lot or member reference.
HOW A BOOKED MOVE WORKS
Collection and delivery, step by step
Quote and booking
You send the details above. We confirm the price, the date and what we need from you, and the booking is confirmed.
Collection
We arrive at the collection address at the agreed time. Someone who is authorised to release the vehicle needs to be there with the keys. Before loading, walk round the vehicle with the driver and point out any existing damage. It’s also sensible to take your own dated photos.
Loading and transport
The vehicle is loaded and secured on the truck and carried to the delivery address. It isn’t driven or towed on its own wheels.
Delivery and handover
We unload the vehicle at the delivery address and hand it and the keys to the person you’ve named. Check it over before we leave.
Delivering to a closed garage or when nobody’s there: only with the owner’s permission, to a safe place to leave the vehicle, and with a secure arrangement for the keys agreed in advance. A closed garage forecourt isn’t an agreed drop-off point unless the garage has said so.
WHEN YOU WON’T BE THERE
Collecting from a private seller, auction or garage
Many collections are from somewhere other than your own address. In each case, you arrange the purchase and release, and we arrange the transport.
From a private seller. Pay the seller and agree the collection with them before we’re booked. Give us the seller’s name, phone number and address, and make sure they know who is coming and when. The seller needs to be there with the keys, and you should have agreed with them how the paperwork is handled.
From an auction. Auction sites have their own release rules, and they can change, so check the current guidance for yours before booking. In general:
- BCA asks buyers to pay first and then book a collection appointment. Check BCA’s current requirements for a third-party collection and tell them who is collecting.
- Manheim arranges collection once the vehicle is paid for in full, and storage is free for a limited period (Manheim currently states three working days) before fees apply.
- Copart requires collections to be pre-booked and paid for before the transporter arrives.
Send us the auction site, your reference numbers and the collection slot. We don’t have any partnership with these auctions; we collect as your nominated transporter.
From a garage or bodyshop. Tell the garage we’re coming, make sure any bill is settled, and give us a contact name. For deliveries to a garage, check it can accept the vehicle and where it should be left.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Insurance and responsibility
Before you book, ask us what cover applies while your vehicle is being loaded, carried and unloaded: the type of cover, the limit per vehicle, any excess, and what’s excluded. This matters most for a high-value or classic vehicle. Your own motor insurance is separate, so check your policy too.
- Condition: point out existing damage at collection, and keep your own photos.
- Belongings: remove personal items and anything valuable before collection.
- Damage: if you find damage at delivery, tell the driver straight away and report it with photos, as set out in our terms and conditions.
COVERAGE
Where we collect and deliver
We collect vehicles in and around Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and deliver to the address you choose. For longer journeys, send us both postcodes and we’ll tell you whether we can do it.
HELPFUL ANSWERS
Vehicle transport questions
How much does vehicle transport cost?
Each job is priced individually, based on the distance, the vehicle, its condition, access at both ends and timing. Send us both postcodes and the vehicle details for a quote before you book.
Can you move a non-runner?
Yes, in many cases. Tell us whether it rolls, steers and brakes, and where the keys are, so we can plan how to load it and confirm before you book.
Can you move a SORN car or one with no MOT?
We carry it on the truck rather than it being driven, and we deliver SORN and untaxed vehicles to private land such as a driveway, garage or workshop. Don’t drive it afterwards unless it’s taxed and has a valid MOT, apart from the journeys GOV.UK allows.
Do I have to be there at collection or delivery?
Not necessarily. Someone authorised to release or receive the vehicle, with the keys, needs to be there. Give us their name and number when you book.
How much notice do you need?
The more notice you give, the easier it is to fit your date. Send us your preferred dates when you ask for a quote and we’ll tell you what’s possible.
GET A QUOTE
Book vehicle transport in Nottingham
Send us both postcodes, the vehicle’s registration, make and model, its condition and your preferred dates. We’ll give you a price and confirm the booking.
Related help: If it might be fixable where it is, see roadside assistance. For a flat battery, see jump starts. If the vehicle has just been in an accident, see accident recovery.