How To Ship A Scooter
Despite being smaller than many other vehicles, scooters and mopeds can still be tricky to transport. They may not be in working condition, or you may not have the time to drive your scooter to the destination yourself. Whatever your circumstances, Shiply is here to make your life easier.
On our platform, there are hundreds of scooter shipping companies ready to carry out your job, typically at rates that can be up to 75% less than usual. You just need a basic idea of which type of scooter transport you require first.
Types Of Scooter Transport Services
When you are looking at getting your scooter or moped shipped there are two general methods to carry this out. If your scooter is in working condition, then having someone drive it to its destination is the most affordable option. There are some downsides to this method, namely that your scooter mileage will increase, and also that it does run the risk of an accident en route (though this is no more likely than any road accidents obviously).
If your scooter or moped is non-operational then it will need to be put on a trailer to be transported, however, this is also an option if you just want your running scooter to be well-protected and for the mileage to stay untouched. Generally, if you are worried about damage to your scooter during transit, then you should go for an enclosed vehicle trailer. This means your vehicle isn’t exposed to the elements. You can also opt for an open trailer which will often have other scooters on it and will be exposed to the elements, but this option will be cheaper.
You also have a choice between door-to-door delivery and terminal-to-terminal delivery, and this will just depend on your price points and ease of access to your pick-up and drop-off points.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Scooter?
On average, the price to transport a scooter or a moped is roughly $0.51 per mile for a journey less than 1000 miles, with this rising to $2.30 per mile for journeys under 100 miles. There are a few factors that can affect the pricing of scooter transport companies, however, aside from distance, which we will cover below.
Scooter/Moped Size - Whilst they do tend to be smaller, scooters and mopeds still come in a variety of shapes and sizes and should a large trailer be required, this could affect the price that moped transporters quote you.
Scooter Transport Service Type - As explained above, the cost to ship a scooter can vary based on whether someone is driving it for you, if it is on an enclosed trailer or if it is on an open one.
Locations Of Pickup And Delivery - Scooter and moped transport companies will generally be fine picking up and dropping off your vehicle from most locations, however, if you are in a particularly remote or hard-to-reach location this may incur an extra cost.
Time Of Year - Whilst it’s unusual, bad weather can sometimes close down certain roads due to icy and unsafe conditions. If this happens, your scooter transporter may need to take an alternative, longer route which may end up costing you a bit more.
How Can Shiply Help Find Scooter Transport Companies?
So, there are a few things to consider when looking to ship your scooter or moped. Once you have an idea of what service type and price point you need, the next step is to find a scooter shipper to carry out your delivery, and this is where Shiply can help.
Rather than browse through pages of search results, Shiply puts your options in one place for easy comparison. All we need from you are some details about your requirements such as scooter/moped type and pick-up and delivery locations. Once you submit these, moped transporters can start sending quotes to complete your job directly to your inbox. You are able to read through previous user feedback and scores and can directly message anyone who has quoted you a price to ask any further questions you might have, allowing you to feel 100% confident in your chosen transport company.
On Shiply, scooter shipping companies are often looking to fill up space they have in their trailers on journeys they are already making. For this reason, the prices you will be quoted to move your scooter can often be up to 75% cheaper than standard rates. Not only does this mean using Shiply can be much easier on your wallet, but also that it is greatly beneficial to the environment as it reduces the number of unnecessary transport vehicles on the road.
Preparing For Your Scooter To Be Shipped
If you’ve collected some quotes and chosen the one you want to proceed with, then the next step is to prepare your scooter or moped for pick-up. We typically recommend the following:
Documents - If you are selling your scooter, or taking it abroad, you may need some specific documentation. Ensure you have this sorted before pick-up to avoid any issues in transit or drop-off with your customer.
Cleaning - Shipping a vehicle is a great excuse to clean it, and we always recommend doing so as it makes it easier to ascertain its condition prior to pick-up.
Photographic Evidence - Following on from cleaning up your scooter, we highly recommend taking some high-quality, time-stamped pictures of it to ensure that there is a record of its condition before it is picked up. In the unlikely event that damage occurs in transit, you can use these images as proof.
Running Condition - If you have opted for a driver to transport your scooter or moped then you need to make sure that your vehicle is in running condition before it is picked up. You should check the fluid levels and tire pressure and make sure they are correct. It’s also worth noting that, even if your vehicle isn’t being driven, the scooter transport company may still need the wheels to be unlocked for loading and unloading.
What To Do After Delivery
Once your scooter shipper has dropped your vehicle off there are a few things to check:
Vital Signs -Ensure that your brakes, lights, and engine are working as expected.
Exterior Condition - Using the photos you took before pick-up you should check the condition of your scooter and make sure everything is exactly as expected.
Check Mileage - Typically this should only matter if your scooter or moped was driven to its destination, but you should always make sure there aren’t unexpected miles put on your vehicle upon arrival.
The last step we ask of you is to leave feedback on your scooter transport company so that future users can know what to expect from them.