Condition Report in Car Shipping: Meaning

November 11, 2026

A condition report is the inspection record, also called the vehicle bill of lading, that the driver and customer complete at pickup and delivery to note scratches, dents and other damage on a diagram of the car.

In plain English

At pickup, the driver walks around the car with you and marks existing damage. At delivery, you compare the car to the report before you sign. Photos of the car at both points support the report.

It is the main evidence in any damage claim. Without a clear record of the car at pickup, it is hard to prove new damage.

Why it matters when you ship

Wash the car before pickup so damage is visible, take dated photos and keep your copy. At delivery, inspect in daylight before signing, and note any new damage on the report.

Example

At delivery the owner finds a new scratch on a door. The condition report from pickup shows the door was clean, so the owner notes the damage before signing.

Learn more

Condition report: common questions

Should I sign the condition report at delivery if there is damage?

Write the damage on the report first, then sign. Signing a clean report can weaken your claim.

Cite this page

Cite as: Transportli, “Condition Report in Car Shipping: Meaning”, https://transportli.com/glossary/condition-report/, updated November 11, 2026.

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