Moving to Cape Town for a new job, buying a car from a dealer in another province, sending a student's hatchback to campus or getting a classic to a show: car transport by truck saves the long drive, the fuel, the tolls and the kilometres on the clock. Car transport companies run open and enclosed carriers on the main routes between cities, and single-car flatbeds for shorter or urgent moves. This page covers the options, the inspection at loading and what affects the price. Send one free request and car transport companies will quote you directly, no obligation.
Open or enclosed carrier?
- Open carrier: a two-deck truck that moves several cars at once. The most common and usually the cheapest choice for everyday cars. The car is exposed to weather and road dust.
- Enclosed carrier: a covered trailer for classics, sports cars and new vehicles where paint and trim must stay perfect. Fewer cars per load, so it costs more and may take longer to schedule.
- Single-car flatbed: a dedicated flatbed for urgent moves, non-runners or shorter distances.
The inspection report at loading
Before loading, the driver should walk around the car with you and mark every existing scratch, dent and chip on an inspection report. Take your own dated photos of each panel, the wheels, the interior and the odometer. Check the report is complete before you sign, and keep a copy. At delivery, inspect the car in good light before you sign for it, and note any new damage on the delivery report there and then. Damage found later is much harder to claim.
Preparing the car
Leave about a quarter tank of fuel, remove personal items and loose parts such as roof racks, and fold the mirrors. Tell the company if the car is lowered, has a spoiler or does not run, as low cars need ramps and non-runners need a winch. Ask what insurance covers the car in transit, the excess and how claims work. Hand over one key, and keep the spare.
What drives the cost
Moving a car from Johannesburg to Cape Town by truck is often about R5,890 to R8,900, incl VAT. The route and distance, open or enclosed, the car's size, whether it runs, door-to-door or depot collection and how soon you need it all affect the price. Flexible dates usually cost less because the company can fill a load. Compare what is included: insurance, collection and delivery. Short moves within a city are often better as a car tow.
What to include in your request
- Collection and delivery towns
- Car type, size and whether it runs
- Open or enclosed carrier
- Earliest and latest dates
- Door-to-door or depot drop-off
Car Transport for different clients
- Motorists and families: a family car sent ahead when moving province, or a student's car to campus
- Company fleets and rental firms: rental cars and pool vehicles rebalanced between branches in different cities
- Truckers, buses and logistics: spare light vehicles moved to a new depot on a long-distance route
- Farmers and 4x4 owners: a farm bakkie bought in another province delivered to the farm gate
- Dealers, panel beaters and workshops: dealers, auctions and panel shops moving stock and repaired cars between cities
- Construction, mining and plant hire: site bakkies and light vehicles sent to a new project in another province
- Caravan, boat and bike owners: a classic, track car or weekend 4x4 moved in an enclosed carrier to an event
- Municipalities, estates and schools: municipal and government vehicles delivered from the supplier to the depot
Frequently asked questions
How much does car transport from Johannesburg to Cape Town cost?
How long does car transport take between cities?
Can you transport a car that does not run?
Do you move the car yourselves?
Car Transport by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg