Suffering From Didn't-Use-ShipMyCar-itis?
It's a painful condition affecting car enthusiasts worldwide. Symptoms include unexpected repair bills, damaged paintwork, fried ECUs, and the sinking feeling that you should have done more research before choosing the cheapest quote.
The good news? It's entirely preventable.
Common Symptoms
Do any of these sound familiar? If you're experiencing these symptoms, you may already be infected.
Uninsured Transit Syndrome
Severity: CriticalYour car travels across oceans and continents with gaps in insurance coverage. That 'fully insured' quote? Read the fine print. Many budget operators only cover port-to-port, leaving your vehicle exposed during the most vulnerable parts of the journey.
Real talk: We've seen customers left with £15,000 repair bills when their cars were damaged during loading, and their 'shipper' suddenly couldn't find the insurance documents.
Container Catastrophe Disorder
Severity: SevereInexperienced handlers who've never secured a performance car treat your pride and joy like cargo furniture. Ratchet straps over painted surfaces. Wheels not braced. Other cargo shifting during transit. The container becomes a battering chamber.
Real talk: One customer's classic Corvette arrived with a forklift puncture through the bonnet. The operator had loaded industrial equipment in the same container. 'It was the cheapest quote,' he said. It wasn't cheap anymore.
Passion Deficiency Disorder
Severity: ChronicYour shipper sees 'a car'. You see the culmination of years of searching, a childhood dream, a piece of automotive art. When handlers don't understand what they're moving, they don't treat it with the respect it deserves.
Real talk: There's a difference between someone who moves boxes for a living and someone who's spent weekends at car shows. We know what that car means to you, because we'd feel the same way about ours.
Incompetent Technician Trauma
Severity: CriticalYour imported car needs IVA testing and MOT work to get UK registered. Budget operators send it to whoever's cheapest, often general mechanics with zero experience of import vehicles, complex ECUs, or modern CAN-bus systems.
Real talk: We've received cars from other importers where 'technicians' have caused catastrophic ECU failures. One 2020 Shelby GT500 was destroyed by someone wiring in random bulbs and LEDs to convert the rear lights. The bodged wiring put too much strain on the sensitive OEM electronics and fried the ECU. That's a £5,000+ repair.
The ShipMyCar Treatment Plan
Complete prevention of Didn't-Use-ShipMyCar-itis. Side effects may include peace of mind, intact paintwork, and a car that actually works when it arrives.
End-to-End Insurance
Full marine and transit coverage from the moment we collect to the moment you drive away. No gaps. No surprises. No 'that bit wasn't covered' conversations.
Enthusiast Handling
Our team includes people who own classics, modify imports, and attend track days. We don't just move cars, we understand them. Every vehicle is treated like it's going to a Concours.
Specialist Container Loading
Proper bracing, wheel chocks, soft-tie systems, and protective covers as standard. Your car is the only priority in that container space. We never mix with incompatible cargo.
Expert IVA & Registration
Our approved technicians have converted thousands of imports. They know the specific requirements for US, Japanese, and European vehicles. No guesswork. No fried ECUs. Just cars that pass first time.
Transparent Pricing
Our quotes include everything. No hidden fees appearing after your car is already on a ship. No 'storage charges' you weren't told about. What we quote is what you pay.
Real Communication
Track your shipment in real-time. Speak to humans who actually know where your car is. Get photos at each stage. Never wonder 'what's happening to my car?'
Why Does This Keep Happening?
Car importing isn't simple. It involves international shipping, customs regulations, vehicle modifications, testing requirements, and registration processes across multiple jurisdictions.
The Budget Operator Gamble
Budget operators cut corners because they have to. Their margins are razor-thin, so they skip the things you don't immediately notice: proper insurance, experienced handlers, specialist technicians.
They're betting that most cars will arrive fine despite their methods. And when something goes wrong, they're betting you won't have the resources to fight them.
The ShipMyCar Difference
We've built ShipMyCar around the opposite philosophy. We charge fairly for comprehensive service because we know that the only thing more expensive than quality is the consequences of its absence.
Every car we handle is someone's dream. Often it's the result of months or years of searching and saving. That deserves respect, not a race to the bottom on price.
Trusted since
2006
Nearly two decades of importing cars means we've seen every problem, and we know how to avoid them. Our experience is your protection.
A Note on "Cheaper Quotes"
We regularly hear "but I got a quote for £500 less from another company."
Before you commit, ask them these questions:
- 1Does that include door-to-door insurance, or just port-to-port?
- 2Who exactly will be doing the IVA modifications? What's their experience with your specific vehicle?
- 3How is the car secured in the container? Will it share space with other cargo?
- 4What happens if something goes wrong? What's their claims process?
Often, that £500 "saving" starts looking very different.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Don't become another case study. Get a quote from people who actually care about cars, and know how to get them to you safely.
Your dream car deserves better than the cheapest option.
Get Your QuoteFull transparency. No hidden fees. No nasty surprises. Just your car, delivered properly.