Index
Why interprovincial logistics matter more and more
Transport options: when to use each one
Real costs of car transport
Documentation required for each transfer
How to protect yourself against damage during transport
Customer delivery in another province: how to do it right
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Frequently asked questions
Why interprovincial logistics matter more and more
The digitalisation of the used car market has changed the operating radius of many dealerships. In the past, buying and selling within the same province was the norm. Today, online auctions, B2B purchasing platforms and national-reach portals mean that the best buying opportunities and the best sales customers can be anywhere in Spain.
A dealership that only operates in its local area loses access to that wider market. But operating on a national level without a well-defined logistical process can erode transaction margins with unforeseen costs, transport damage or poorly managed deliveries that end in disputes.
Interprovincial logistics are not complicated if structured properly. The cost of transporting a car between provinces is a real expense that must be included in the margin calculation before closing the deal, not discovered afterwards. To see how to integrate this cost into the analysis of each operation, you can review our guide on how to improve profit margins in a dealership.
Transport options: when to use each one
There are three main methods to transfer a car between provinces, each with different cost, timeframe and risk profiles.
Transport by own means. If the car has a valid MOT (ITV) and is roadworthy, a driver can transport it from the origin. It is the cheapest option for short distances (under 200 km) if you have staff available. The cost is limited to fuel, any travel expenses, and the driver's time. The main risk is the wear and tear of the vehicle and any incidents on the road (accidents, breakdowns) which are your responsibility.
For cars without a valid MOT (ITV) or that are not roadworthy, this option is not valid: the vehicle cannot be driven on public roads.
Specialised transport company (car carrier). This is the most common option for medium and long distances. There are two variants: individual car carrier (a lorry transports only your car, faster and with greater control) and shared car carrier (the lorry carries several vehicles from different customers, more economical but with less predictable timeframes).
Usual delivery times are between 1 and 3 working days for mainland destinations. For islands (Balearics, Canaries) the timeframes are longer and the costs are higher.
Collaborative transport platforms. Platforms like Shiply or uShip connect vehicle owners with hauliers who have trips scheduled on that route. They are more economical than specialised companies but have greater variability in delivery times and fewer guarantees in the event of an incident. Suitable for low-to-medium-value cars where the cost savings justify the higher risk.
Real costs of car transport
Prices vary depending on distance, method and urgency. These are the usual ranges in 2026 for mainland transport:
Distance | Own means | Shared car carrier | Individual car carrier |
|---|---|---|---|
Less than 200 km | 30-80 € | 80-150 € | 150-250 € |
200-500 km | 80-150 € | 150-250 € | 250-400 € |
500-900 km | 150-250 € | £200-£350 | 350-550 € |
More than 900 km | 250-400 € | £300-£500 | 500-800 € |
For island destinations, the costs are significantly higher: between 400 and 900 euros for the Balearic Islands, and between 600 and 1,400 euros for the Canary Islands, depending on the port of origin and the type of transport.
These costs must be calculated before closing the purchase of the vehicle. If the estimated margin for an operation is 800 euros and the transport costs 350, the real margin is 450 euros. Not including this in the prior calculation is the most common mistake in interprovincial operations.
To see how to record and monitor the cost per operation, you can consult our guide on essential KPIs for dealerships.
Documentation required for each transfer
The documentation varies depending on whether the car is driven under its own power or transported on a lorry, and whether it is already yours or in transit of purchase.
For transport by own means: The driver needs the registration certificate in the name of the current owner (or the dealership if the transfer has already been processed), the technical sheet with a valid MOT (ITV), valid insurance and their driving licence. If the driver is not the owner, it is advisable to also carry a signed authorization from the owner.
For transport on a car carrier lorry: The transporter needs a collection note describing the vehicle's condition at the time of loading (with corresponding photographs) and the basic vehicle documentation to prove that the transfer is legitimate. If the car is moving from one professional to another before the final transfer, the purchase agreement between both parties is sufficient proof.
To see what the purchase agreement should include in an interprovincial transaction, you can review our guide on essential contracts in professional vehicle trading.
Transport insurance: The car's insurance covers the driving of the vehicle, not its transport on a lorry. During transit on a car carrier, any damage that may occur is excluded from the vehicle's usual insurance coverage. Transport companies have their own third-party liability insurance, but coverages and excesses vary greatly. For high-value operations, taking out specific transport insurance for the value of the vehicle is the safest option.
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How to protect yourself against damage during transport
Transport damage is rare but it does happen. The difference between resolving the issue in one day or in weeks lies in the prior documentation.
Photographs before loading. Before handing over the car to the transporter, take detailed photographs from all angles (complete exterior, bumpers, mirrors, glass) and of any pre-existing damage. These photos are the reference for comparison if new damage appears upon arrival.
Signed collection note. The collection note must describe the condition of the vehicle at the time of collection and be signed by the transporter. If the transporter refuses to sign the note with the described condition, it is a warning sign.
Inspection at the time of delivery. When the car arrives at its destination, it must be inspected before signing the delivery note. If new damage appears, it must be noted on the delivery note before signing. A delivery note signed without remarks implies that the vehicle arrived in the agreed condition.
Immediate claim. If there is damage, the claim must be made immediately or in the following hours, with the photographs as proof. Late claims are much more difficult to manage and transport companies reject them more frequently.
Customer delivery in another province: how to do it right
Delivering a car directly to the customer in their city is a real competitive advantage. Many buyers appreciate not having to travel, and this service can justify a slightly higher price or close a sale that would otherwise have been lost.
For home delivery to work and not create problems, the process must be well-structured.
Clear prior communication. Before delivery, the customer must know exactly when they will receive the car (day and time slot), who will deliver it, what condition it will arrive in and what documentation they will sign at that moment. A delivery that arrives without prior notice or without the customer knowing what to expect generates mistrust even if the car is perfect.
Documentation prepared in advance. The purchase agreement, invoice, warranty certificate and delivery note must be prepared before dispatching the car. If you have to wait for the customer to sign to send the documentation, the process is unnecessarily prolonged. Digital signatures make this step much easier.
Delivery note signed by the customer. At the moment of delivery, the customer must sign a delivery note detailing the condition of the vehicle. This protects the dealership against subsequent claims regarding damage that actually already existed or occurred after delivery.
Post-delivery follow-up. A message or call the next day to verify that everything is fine has a minimal cost and a significant impact on the perception of the service. Positive Google reviews are generated at these moments. To see how reviews impact business, you can review our guide on how to manage Google reviews at your dealership.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Not calculating the transport cost before buying. The margin of an interprovincial operation must be calculated with the transport cost included. Discovering it afterwards can turn an apparently profitable operation into a loss.
Collect online deposits for your dealership with Dealcar. Learn more at dealcar.io/dealcar-pay.
Sending the car without prior photographs. Without a photographic record of the condition before transport, any claim for damage is almost impossible to support or refute.
Signing the delivery note without checking the vehicle. Once the delivery note is signed without remarks, any claim for damage loses its documentary basis.
Not confirming customer availability before dispatch. Dispatching the car when the customer is not available to receive it generates additional storage costs or a second delivery attempt.
Using transporters without liability insurance. In the event of damage, the difference between recovering the value of the vehicle or bearing the cost yourself depends on the transporter having sufficient coverage.
To understand what rights the buyer has if the car arrives with damage, you can review the article on what to do if the customer wants to return the car.
More than 750 dealerships already use Dealcar to manage their daily operations
Dealcar centralises the management of every interprovincial operation: the vehicle file includes photos of its condition, the purchase agreement, the invoice and the delivery note, all accessible from mobile for the team managing the transfer or delivery. With each operation documented in the same system, any incident has the necessary support to be resolved quickly.
If you want to see how it works, you can book a free demo at dealcar.io.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest option to transport a car between provinces?
For short distances with the car in roadworthy condition, transport by own means. For long distances, a shared car carrier is the cheapest option among professional services, although with less predictable timeframes than an individual carrier.
Does car insurance cover damage during transport on a lorry?
No. The vehicle's insurance covers its use on the road, not its transport on a lorry. During the transfer, any damage falls under the transporter's civil liability. For high-value operations, take out specific transport insurance.
Can I send a car with an expired MOT (ITV) on a lorry?
Yes. An expired MOT (ITV) prevents the car from being driven under its own power, but it does not prevent it from being transported on a lorry. The car can travel on a car carrier regardless of its MOT status.
How long does transport on a car carrier take within the mainland?
Between 1 and 3 working days for most mainland destinations. Shorter journeys (less than 400 km) are usually completed within 24-48 hours. For island destinations, timeframes are longer.
Is it compulsory to take out transport insurance?
It is not legally compulsory, but highly recommended for medium-to-high-value vehicles. Without it, any damage during transport relies on the transporter's liability, which may have high excesses or insufficient coverage.
