Vehicle transport
How to Prepare a Non-Running Vehicle for Transport
Selling a project car, moving an unregistered ute, or relocating something that hasn't started in years? This is what to organise before the tilt tray arrives.
6 min read
Why preparation matters
Non-running vehicles are part of the normal week at Riviera Towing — project cars, unregistered utes, paddock-stored 4WDs, deceased estates and online-sale collections. They load fine on a tilt tray, but a few minutes of preparation makes the pickup smoother and the quote firmer.
Before the tow truck arrives
Run through this short list ahead of time.
- Locate the keys — even if it won't start, we usually need to release the steering and parking brake
- Check whether the wheels will roll freely — flat tyres, seized brakes and locked diffs all matter
- Make sure there is enough clear space around the vehicle for a tilt tray to approach
- Move anything fragile out of the way — pots, fences, bins, low branches
- Take photos of the vehicle and the access path
- If it's on private property, confirm gate access and any keys or codes
Tell us what's special
Some details are easy to forget but make a big difference: a broken handbrake cable, a seized engine that won't allow the wheels to turn, a snapped suspension component, missing wheels, or a flat battery that has killed the electronic park brake. Flagging these up front means we can bring the right gear — winches, dollies, loading boards — and avoid surprises on the day.
Paperwork and ownership
If you are transporting a vehicle you have just bought online, or one being collected for someone else, keep proof of ownership or written authority handy. For unregistered transport, the destination address matters — a registered workshop, a private property, or a storage yard.
For interstate or long-distance jobs from East Gippsland to Melbourne or further, let us know about any timing constraints — auctions, transport between dealers, or settlement dates — so we can plan the run.
Frequently asked
Can you transport a vehicle with no keys?+
Sometimes — but it depends on the vehicle. Modern cars with electronic park brakes are far easier to handle with keys. Let us know up front so we can plan equipment.
What if the wheels won't roll at all?+
We can usually still load with dollies or skates. Mention it on the booking call so we bring the right gear and quote accurately.
Do you transport unregistered vehicles?+
Yes. Unregistered vehicle transport is a regular part of the work — to mechanics, dealers, storage yards or private addresses across East Gippsland and Victoria.