Prestige Car Towing Checklist

Before you book prestige car towing

Prestige vehicle towing should be planned properly, not rushed like a simple roadside pickup. The towing operator needs to understand the vehicle, the access, the clearance and the drop-off instructions before arrival. This is especially important for prestige cars, classic cars, sports cars, modified vehicles, lowered vehicles and cars with front splitters, side skirts or body kits.

In Brisbane, the access can change a lot from one job to another. A car parked on a flat driveway in Thornlands is different from a car in a tight apartment basement in South Brisbane, a dealership yard in Moorooka, a workshop driveway in Capalaba or a steep residential driveway in Red Hill. The more detail you provide upfront, the easier it is to quote the job and plan the pickup correctly.

1. Confirm the vehicle condition

Before asking for a quote, confirm what the vehicle can and cannot do. This helps decide whether the job is a standard prestige vehicle movement or a more difficult non-running vehicle recovery.

• Does the vehicle start?
• Does it roll freely?
• Does the steering work?
• Do the brakes work?
• Are all tyres inflated?
• Are the keys available?
• Is the steering lock on?

If the vehicle does not start, has flat tyres, has suspension damage, is stuck in park, has no keys or cannot be steered, mention this clearly. A non-running prestige car may still be movable, but it needs to be assessed differently. You can also read the non-starter car towing guide for more detail.

2. Send photos of clearance and access

Photos are one of the most useful things you can send before booking. They help show whether the vehicle has low front clearance, a steep approach angle, limited loading space, tight turns or height restrictions. This matters for lowered cars, prestige sports cars, classic vehicles and modified vehicles with body kits.

Useful photos include the front of the vehicle, the side profile, the front splitter or bumper clearance, the driveway angle, the parking position, the road in front of the vehicle and any basement or car park entry. If the vehicle is inside a unit complex, workshop, storage facility or dealership, photos of the entry and turning space are also helpful.

3. Check driveway, basement and loading space

The biggest issue with prestige towing is often not the distance. It is the pickup access. A vehicle can be very close to the road but still difficult to load if the driveway is steep, the street is narrow, the car is parked nose-in, or there is not enough room for a tilt tray to line up safely.

Before booking, check whether there are low-hanging trees, underground car park height limits, tight ramps, locked gates, security access, narrow laneways, busy road frontage or limited turning space. For apartment buildings, it also helps to confirm whether the car is on ground level or inside a basement car park.

4. Prepare the vehicle before pickup

Remove loose personal items, valuables, toll tags and anything that could move around during transport. Make sure the keys are ready and the alarm instructions are clear. If the vehicle has a battery isolator, immobiliser, aftermarket alarm, air suspension or special start procedure, explain that before pickup.

For peace of mind, take your own photos before the vehicle is moved. Photograph all sides of the car, wheels, front bumper, rear bumper and any existing marks. This is a sensible step for prestige, classic, dealer, workshop and private sale vehicle movements.

5. Confirm pickup and drop-off contacts

Prestige vehicle moves often involve more than one person: the owner, dealer, mechanic, detailer, buyer, seller or workshop contact. Confirm who will release the vehicle, who will receive it, and whether any paperwork or release instructions are needed.

If the vehicle is going to a dealership, workshop, storage facility or detailer, send the business name, address, contact name and phone number. If it is a private sale vehicle pickup, confirm the seller knows the tow truck is coming and that the keys are ready.

6. Details needed for a clear quote

To get a clear quote, provide the pickup suburb, drop-off suburb, vehicle make and model, vehicle condition, whether it is lowered or modified, preferred timing and access details. A simple message with photos is usually better than a vague request like “how much to tow a car?”

• Pickup and drop-off suburbs or addresses
• Vehicle make, model and year if available
• Whether the vehicle starts, rolls, steers and brakes
• Any low clearance, body kit, splitter or modification details
• Access notes for driveway, basement, workshop or dealership
• Preferred pickup date and time

TowFast Brisbane can help with prestige car transport, car towing, vehicle transport and non-drivable car towing depending on the vehicle condition and job details.

Frequently asked questions