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Importing a car , Buying a used car , Costs and money · Ενημερώθηκε 2026-10-18

How to bring a bought car home: transport options

You have found and bought a car in another place. Now it has to get home. The method you choose affects the cost, the risk of damage, the time it takes and the paperwork. There is no single best option, only the one that fits the car, the distance and your budget. Rules about plates, insurance and temporary papers differ by country, so check with the competent authority before you set out.

Option 1: Drive it yourself

Driving the car home is the simplest idea and sometimes the cheapest. You see how it behaves on the road, and you avoid paying a carrier. But it has real downsides.

• You are driving a car you do not know, perhaps with unknown faults, over a long distance.
• You need valid insurance and the right plates or temporary papers for the trip. Without them you may be uninsured or stopped.
• You need a way back for yourself if you travel there by public transport, and that is a cost.
• Fuel, tolls, food, possible overnight stays and your time all count.

Before you do it, have the car checked at least for tyres, brakes, fluids and lights. Use the trip cost calculator to estimate fuel and tolls for the drive, and plan using the advice in road trip preparation. If the car is old, has warning lights or has an unknown service history, driving it far is a gamble.

Option 2: Tow it

Towing with a rope or bar behind another vehicle is allowed only in some situations, and the rules differ by country. It can also be unsafe: the car behind may have limited braking and steering help when the engine is off, and a long tow is tiring and risky. A rigid tow bar or a proper tow dolly is safer than a rope, but a tow over a long distance is rarely a good first choice. Read more about this in towing and roof loads.

Option 3: Trailer

A car trailer lets you carry the car on its wheels or on a platform. It is a good option if you already have a tow vehicle and the right licence for the combined weight. Check the legal limits for weight and length, and make sure the car is strapped down correctly. If you have never loaded a car onto a trailer, this is not the place to learn on a motorway.

Option 4: Professional transporter

A transport company carries the car on a truck, either open or enclosed. This is the most common choice for a car you do not want to drive.

• Open carriers are usually cheaper. The car is exposed to weather and road debris.
• Enclosed carriers usually cost more and protect better, which matters for a valuable or classic car.
• Door to door is more convenient than a pickup at a depot, but may cost more.

Ask what the price includes, how long the trip takes, and who is responsible if the car is damaged. Get the condition of the car recorded with photos at pick-up and again on delivery. Look for signs of damage before you sign the receipt, because after you sign it is much harder to claim.

Option 5: Shared or mixed shipping

Some cars travel as part of a bigger load, with other vehicles, or partly by truck and partly by ferry or rail. This can lower the price but extend the time. Ask for the full route and whether there are changes of carrier on the way, because every handover adds a chance of damage.

Insurance on the way

Ask your own insurer and the carrier what is covered during transport. A carrier usually has some liability, but it may be limited and may exclude certain damage. Do not assume your usual policy covers a car that is not on the road. Read insurance types explained for background on what different policies cover.

Paperwork for the move

You will usually need proof of purchase, the original registration papers and identification. The carrier may need a written authorisation from the owner. At the border you may be asked to show the papers and declare the car. Keep originals and copies separate, and photograph every document before you hand it over. See paperwork overview.

How to compare offers

1. Get at least two or three quotes in writing.
2. Compare what is included: insurance, tolls, fees, delivery location.
3. Check reviews and the carrier's registration, not just the price.
4. Ask about delays and what happens if the car arrives late.
5. Add the result to the import cost to see the real total.

What to remember

• Driving it home is cheap only if the car is reliable and legally covered for the trip.
• Towing is a short-distance emergency method, not a plan.
• A transporter is usually safest, but check insurance and record the condition.
• Cheapest is not best if the cover is weak.
• Include transport in your total budget before you agree the price of the car.

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