The short answer
Before signing anything at delivery, walk the entire vehicle in daylight or under bright light, comparing it panel by panel to your pickup photos. Check the roof, undercarriage, and wheels specifically, since those areas are most exposed during transport. Photograph anything new before the driver leaves, note it directly on the Bill of Lading, and only sign once the paperwork accurately reflects what you actually see.
- The Bill of Lading you sign at delivery is the legal record used to determine whether damage happened before or during transport.
- Undercarriage, roof, and wheel wells are the three most commonly missed inspection points because they require bending or crouching to see.
- You have the right to note discrepancies on the Bill of Lading before signing — once signed without notes, disputing new damage becomes far harder.
- Nothing is due at delivery under Pay At Pickup; the full charge already posted the moment the carrier loaded the car.
- A full exterior-plus-interior inspection realistically takes 10-15 minutes and should never be rushed because a driver is on a schedule.
Why the delivery inspection matters more than people think
Most disputes over shipping damage aren't about who's honest — they're about what got written down. If your pickup photos show a clean bumper and the delivery Bill of Lading doesn't note a new scuff, the paper trail speaks louder than your memory. Drivers handle dozens of vehicles a week and won't slow down unless you ask them to. Treat the ten minutes before you sign as the most important part of the entire shipment, because it's the last moment you have leverage before the transaction is considered complete.
The 4-step exterior walkaround
- Start at the driver's front corner and move clockwise, checking each panel, door edge, and mirror in sequence.
- Crouch at each wheel to check rims and tires for curb rash, tire wear, or valve stem damage.
- Step back and view the roof and hood from a distance in good light — glare hides shallow scratches up close.
- Check the undercarriage edges and front air dam or splitter for scrapes from ramp loading.
Comparing the Bill of Lading pickup-to-delivery
Pull up the pickup Bill of Lading (photo or paper copy) side by side with the delivery copy the driver hands you. Match every noted scratch, dent, or chip against what you now see on the car. If the two documents already list the same mark, it's not new. If you find something the pickup document doesn't mention, that's the moment to flag it — not after the truck drives off.
Where transport-specific wear shows up
- Roof edges and A-pillars, from straps or overhead clearance on double-deck trailers.
- Rocker panels and lower bumpers, from ramp angle during loading and unloading.
- Wheel lips, from tie-down chains or wheel nets shifting in transit.
- Undercarriage components, on lowered vehicles or long-wheelbase trucks.
Photos you must take before the driver leaves
- Wide shots of all four corners with the truck still visible in the background.
- Close-ups of the odometer and fuel gauge to confirm mileage and fuel level.
- Any new mark, no matter how small, photographed with a coin or key for scale.
- The signed Bill of Lading itself, photographed for your own records.
If you find new damage on the spot
Point it out to the driver immediately and ask them to note it in writing on the Bill of Lading before you sign — most drivers will do this without pushback since it protects them too. Take your own photos regardless of what the driver writes down. If the driver is unwilling to note it, write "damage noted, see attached photos" near your signature and keep your copy. Then contact support the same day; delivery-day documentation is far stronger than anything filed a week later.
Frequently asked questions
- What happens if I sign the Bill of Lading without noticing damage?
- A clean signature makes it much harder to prove the damage happened during transport rather than before. That's why the walkaround matters — take your time before signing, even if the driver seems rushed.
- Do I need special lighting to inspect the car?
- Daylight or a bright garage light is enough. Avoid inspecting at dusk or under a single street lamp, since shadows and glare hide shallow scratches and light scuffs that are easy to miss.
- Is anything due at delivery?
- No. Under Pay At Pickup, your card is charged the full order total the moment the carrier picks up the vehicle at origin. Nothing is due when it arrives — delivery is strictly about inspection and signing.
- How long should the delivery inspection take?
- Budget 10-15 minutes for a full exterior and interior check. It's a small amount of time relative to the value of the vehicle and worth insisting on even if the driver has another stop.