How Much Does It Cost to Have a Car Transported?

Published April 27, 2021

One of the first questions that everyone asks when it comes to car transport is, “How much does it cost to have a car transported?” The thing is, a car transport quote is not an arbitrary number picked at random as car transport companies have standard rates. The cost of vehicle moving services often varies quite a bit, depending on different variables that are in a constant state of flux.

This goes without saying that it is important to understand how car transport costs are calculated to put things into perspective. Here, we’ll look at the most common factors that determine the cost of transporting a car.

What are the factors affecting the costs of car transport in Perth?

When you request a quote from different companies, you will find that the prices are not far off from each other. This is because companies are constantly evaluating many factors to compete with other businesses and draw in more customers.

As we’ve mentioned, many factors affect these car delivery cost. Below, we’ll outline some of the key ones.

1. Type of vehicle being transported

The general rule of thumb is that the larger and more expensive the vehicle, the higher the cost to transport it. Trucks, SUVs, 4WDs, vans, and all other bigger vehicles are generally more expensive to transport than compacts or sedans. Vehicles with oversized tyres and modifications to suspension are also much more expensive to transport than regular ones.

For those considering prestige or luxury vehicle transport, an enclosed option (which provides extra protection during transport) is very likely to impact the cost of car transport.

2. Distance to ship the vehicle

Distance is among the key variables that determine the cost to ship a vehicle. When transporting a car in Australia, the average cost usually depends on what kind of trailer the car owner prefers and how far it is going. But basically, the further the distance the vehicle is to be transported, the higher the transport costs.

Also, transporting a vehicle from Adelaide to Melbourne is likely to cost a lot less than shipping one from Perth to Sydney. In general, transporting a car within the same metropolitan area in Australia starts at $120. The cost can come down to less than 40 cents per kilometre if it is interstate shipping.

3. Specific pickup and delivery location

Are you looking to transport a vehicle in a rural, out-of-the-way area or an easily accessed urban town centre or a major capital city? This is not a major factor, but the pickup area or destination points can impact the overall cost to transport a vehicle. A car transport company in Perth may have different rates for heavily travelled routes and hard-to-reach areas off the main highways.

4. Fuel prices

The price of fuel often varies from region to region. Also, it seems to be on a roller-coaster most of the time. With the Carbon Tax removed in Australia following the Federal Parliament passing legislation on 1 July 2014, there are no taxes to pay for car emissions.

However, this doesn’t mean that fuel costs will not increase. Fuel prices will continue to be the biggest factor associated with auto transport in Australian cities and states. To anyone asking, “How much does it cost to have a car transported,” be informed that for as long as fuel prices are relatively high, then auto transport costs may also be a bit expensive.

5. Depot-to-depot or door-to-door delivery

Door-to-door delivery is often more expensive than a depot-to-depot transport option. However, the depot-to-depot option may include vehicle storage fees that accumulate each day the car is kept in the depot yard. If the depot is several hundred kilometres away from you, this can also add to the costs as you have to travel to get to the closest depot.

6. Non-drivable or non-running vehicles

The transport quote may increase if the vehicle being transported is inoperable and not drivable. This is because the car transport company charges for the special equipment and tow truck they have to use to get the vehicle on and off the trailer. While many car transport companies in Perth won’t transport non-running vehicles, some of them make exemptions.

When requesting a cheap car transport quote, it’s important to tell the transport company if the vehicle they’re transporting is non-drivable. This way, complicated situations could be avoided. Take, for example, booking a vehicle in only to find out that the drivers can’t get it on the truck.

It’s not only a hassle but also a waste of time and money. If you’re looking to transport a non-drivable vehicle, be sure to inform the transport company ahead of time. You want to make sure that they can transport it to your preferred destination. If not, then you can always look for another company.

7. Express delivery

Transport companies offer standard rates on their car transport quotes. Some even offer an express car delivery or same-day delivery option. The delivery times depend on many things like distance, weather conditions along the way, etc. Standard delivery is usually 15 days (or more).

A cheaper standard delivery option is the way to go if you can afford to be without a car for a little longer. If you haven’t planned ahead, then you may have to pay a bit more for express car delivery.

8. Time of year

The time of year also affects the car shipping costs. Depending on demand, interstate car transport rates usually vary throughout the year. As the demand is generally lower during the winter months, the prices will be cheaper.

Conversely, the transport costs will go up during the summer months as the demand is higher. All car transport companies have to balance this demand for vehicle moving services with their ability to fulfil the delivery promptly.

These are among the factors that dictate the costs of transporting vehicles from one point to another. So, if you’ve been asking, “how much does it cost to have a car transported,” consider these factors.

Take advantage of cheap car transport today.

If you’re looking to transport your car to another location, MN Car Transport can handle the transfer for you. Servicing car owners in WA, we can transport all car types. Call our friendly team to enquire about our car transport services. We can definitely answer your “how much does car delivery cost” query!