13 Car Carrier Transport Companies in South Africa for Dealerships

Whether you’re a dealership manager moving stock between branches, an OEM distributing vehicles to retailers nationwide, or a buyer who purchased a car from a distant city, choosing the right car carrier company in South Africa is critical. The wrong choice can mean damaged vehicles, missed delivery windows, and insurance headaches. The right one delivers vehicles in showroom condition — on time and with full documentation.

This guide profiles 13 of the top car carrier and vehicle transport companies in South Africa, with a focus on their dealership and fleet capabilities, coverage areas, and service offerings.

1. What Is a Car Carrier?

A car carrier — also called a vehicle transporter or auto carrier — is a specialist truck or trailer designed to transport multiple motor vehicles simultaneously in a secured, elevated configuration. Car carriers are widely used by vehicle manufacturers (OEMs), car dealerships, car rental companies, auction houses, fleet managers, and private individuals moving vehicles between cities or provinces.

In South Africa, car carriers serve critical roles in the automotive supply chain: getting new vehicles from ports and assembly plants to dealerships, facilitating inter-dealer stock swaps, delivering purchased vehicles to buyers, and relocating fleet vehicles. The industry is highly specialised, with distinct operators serving the OEM/high-volume segment and others focusing on private, luxury, or one-off transport.

2. Open vs Enclosed Car Transport: Which Do You Need?

The two primary transport methods differ significantly in cost, protection level, and appropriate use cases.

Open Transport

Vehicles are secured on an open multi-car carrier — the type most commonly seen on South African national roads. This is the most affordable and widely used method, suitable for standard new and used vehicles on established routes. Most OEM distribution and inter-dealer transfers use open transport.

Enclosed Transport

Vehicles travel inside a fully enclosed trailer or carrier, completely protected from road debris, weather, and visibility. Enclosed transport is preferred for luxury vehicles, exotic and high-performance cars, classic cars, and showroom display vehicles where any cosmetic damage is unacceptable. It costs more but provides a significantly higher level of care.

For dealerships, the choice often comes down to vehicle value and risk tolerance. Most stock movements use open carriers; demo units, executive vehicles, and ultra-premium models typically warrant enclosed transport.

3. What Dealerships Should Look for in a Car Carrier Company

Not all car transport companies are built for dealership volumes or requirements. When evaluating providers, look for:

Dealership experience. Has the company transported vehicles for OEMs, franchised dealers, or fleet managers? This indicates familiarity with pre-delivery inspection (PDI) requirements and documentation standards.
Insurance coverage. Comprehensive in-transit insurance is essential. Confirm the excess and whether coverage extends to mechanical damage, not just cosmetic.
Track and trace capability. Real-time or regular status updates reduce uncertainty and allow dealerships to manage customer delivery expectations.
Nationwide coverage. Confirm whether the company services your specific routes — not all operators run every corridor.
Condition reporting. Reputable companies document vehicle condition at both collection and delivery. This is standard practice and protects all parties.
RTMS certification. The Road Transport Management System (RTMS) is a voluntary industry standard for road safety, vehicle maintenance, and driver wellness. RTMS-certified operators generally operate to a higher baseline standard.
Depot and storage facilities. For dealerships managing large stock volumes, bonded storage and pre-delivery inspection services at the depot add significant value.

4. 13 Top Car Carrier Transport Companies in South Africa

1. OneLogix / Vehicle Delivery Services (VDS)

OneLogix Group is widely regarded as one of the market leaders in automotive logistics in South Africa, with a track record spanning more than 30 years. Its Vehicle Delivery Services (VDS) division operates from a head office in Pomona, Kempton Park, with an active fleet of over 200 trucks and trailers. OneLogix serves major OEMs, corporate fleets, and dealerships, offering new and used vehicle distribution, cross-border transport into the SADC region, and non-contractual inter-dealer moves.

What sets OneLogix apart for dealerships is the breadth of supporting services: bonded and un-bonded warehousing for over 30,000 vehicles, pre-delivery inspections, paint shop services for minor repairs, data dot applications, and sophisticated track and trace capability. Their established relationship with vehicle manufacturers since 1988 makes them a primary choice for high-volume franchise dealership groups.

Best for: OEMs, large franchise dealer groups, high-volume inter-dealer transfers, SADC cross-border. Website: onelogix.com / vdsgroup.co.za

2. Auto Carriers

Auto Carriers is one of South Africa’s longest-established vehicle transport companies, having supplied major OEMs since 1954. RTMS certified, they transport new and used vehicles on car carriers to the vast majority of destinations in South Africa. The company serves OEMs, corporates, private businesses, and individual customers, with dedicated client liaison coordinators keeping clients informed of delivery progress — either digitally or personally.

Auto Carriers offers vehicle storage facilities at depots in Cape Town, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), and Durban, which is particularly useful for dealerships managing seasonal stock or overflow inventory. Additional services include valet and washing on delivery, pre-delivery inspections for new vehicles, and bespoke logistics solutions for high-complexity requirements.

Best for: OEM distribution, multi-province dealer networks, PDI-critical new vehicle deliveries. Website: autocarriers.co.za

3. Reddot Group

Reddot Group is a well-regarded player in vehicle delivery and auto logistics, with footprints in East London, Port Elizabeth, George, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban. The company serves OEMs, car dealerships, car buyers, and other vehicle businesses with a team of over 112 staff — 90% of whom are drivers. Reddot is the preferred vehicle transport provider for numerous top car manufacturers, car rental companies, and car dealers across South Africa and the BLNS countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland).

The group emphasises safety, communication, and compliance with applicable traffic laws. Their door-to-door, on-wheels vehicle delivery model is particularly effective for dealer-to-customer last-mile deliveries, where speed and condition matter most.

Best for: Dealerships requiring door-to-door delivery, OEM relationships, BLNS cross-border, Eastern Cape coverage. Website: reddotgroup.co.za

4. Biggles Auto Carriers

Part of the broader Biggles Removals group, Biggles Auto Carriers provides a national car carrier service covering Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and East London. The company serves dealerships, rental agencies, boat and trailer manufacturers, fleet management companies, and car clubs, as well as private individuals.

Biggles includes a full vehicle inspection at both collection and delivery, with documentation sent to the client — important for dealerships tracking condition at handover. Their fleet and processes are designed for both single-vehicle moves and regular, multi-vehicle dealer stock movements.

Best for: Dealerships, fleet managers, car clubs, boat and trailer manufacturers, private buyers. Website: bigglesremovals.com/za/vehicle-transport

5. CX Auto Carriers

CX Auto Carriers is based on the Garden Route and serves clients across South Africa, with a particular strength in the George, Knysna, Plett, and Garden Route corridor through to Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Bloemfontein. Their dealership-focused services include one-off dealer moves, inter-dealer swaps, non-contractual transfers, and private client deliveries for luxury vehicles, classics, sports cars, and showroom display vehicles.

CX also handles staff vehicle movement and fleet vehicle reallocation, making them a versatile option for dealer groups managing multiple branches. They offer both single-vehicle and full fleet transport.

Best for: Garden Route and regional dealerships, luxury and classic vehicle transport, inter-dealer swaps, fleet reallocation. Website: cxautocarriers.co.za

6. Exotic Carriers

As the name suggests, Exotic Carriers specialises in the transport of luxury, exotic, and classic vehicles — primarily using enclosed carriers for maximum protection. Operating routes between Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, and the Garden Route, they offer a 2-day turnaround on the Johannesburg–Cape Town corridor and same-day or next-day delivery on the Johannesburg–Durban route.

Their enclosed fleet includes 6-car, 3-car, 2-car, and single-vehicle carriers. In Gauteng, Exotic Carriers also offers premium local delivery services between dealerships and private clients, with same-day capability. Their focus on high-value vehicles makes them the preferred choice for franchise dealers handling Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, and other premium marques, as well as classic car dealers and collectors.

Best for: Luxury and exotic dealerships, high-value demo vehicle transport, classic cars, enclosed transport requirements. Website: exoticcarriers.net

7. Cartel Auto Carriers

Cartel Auto Carriers is a national vehicle transport operator that handles both single-vehicle and multi-vehicle consignments across South Africa. The company serves individual buyers, fleet operators, and businesses, with a team experienced in handling a range of vehicle types including motorcycles. Cartel offers customised transport solutions tailored to specific requirements, whether for individuals moving a personal vehicle or dealerships requiring regular fleet movement.

Their approach is built on reliability, experience, and customer communication, with a dedicated support team available throughout the transport process.

Best for: Dealerships needing flexible, customised solutions; individual vehicle buyers; motorcycle transport. Website: cartelautocarriers.co.za

8. CarCarriers.net

Established in 2023, CarCarriers.net has quickly grown to utilise four main specialised vehicle transporters with a combined capacity of over 200 vehicles in transit per week. The company runs scheduled door-to-door services on the Johannesburg–Cape Town and Johannesburg–Durban corridors, and depot-to-depot routes from Durban to Cape Town via Port Elizabeth and East London. In 2025, CarCarriers.net expanded into the UK, based in Camberley, Surrey.

Their crating and packaging services for vehicles requiring additional protection during long-distance or overseas transit, combined with their high weekly throughput, make them suitable for dealerships with consistent, high-frequency transport requirements.

Best for: High-volume consistent routes (JHB–CT, JHB–DBN), depot-to-depot efficiency, international shipping. Website: carcarriers.net

9. Wise Move

Wise Move operates as a vehicle transport marketplace rather than a single carrier — it connects customers with a curated network of verified vehicle delivery companies across South Africa. The platform eliminates the need to research and contact multiple individual carriers, generating quotes from genuine, interested providers from a single inquiry.

For dealerships, Wise Move is most useful for ad hoc or non-contractual moves where a permanent carrier relationship is not in place, or for routes where existing contracted carriers don’t operate. The platform handles sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, bakkies, and specialist vehicles including classics, non-runners, and modified cars. Pricing for an 800 km route typically falls between R4,000 and R8,000, with shorter distances from around R2,000.

Best for: Ad hoc dealer moves, private buyers, non-standard vehicles, comparing quotes across providers. Website: wisemove.co.za/car-transport

10. FLCC Solutions

FLCC Solutions is a growing transport and logistics business operating under the banner “Moving Materials. Building Futures.” While primarily known for heavy bulk haulage — including 34-ton side tippers and tautliners serving the mining, agriculture, and construction sectors — FLCC Solutions has demonstrated capability in automotive logistics, having successfully transported vehicles for Ford Motor Company dealership operations in Gezina. The company emphasises safe, efficient, and on-time delivery with professional vehicle handling.

With over 60 completed projects and a team of 10 or more transport professionals, FLCC Solutions brings a hands-on, client-focused approach that larger logistics businesses often lack. For dealerships or fleet operators seeking a reliable partner with flexibility and personal service, particularly in Gauteng and surrounding areas, FLCC Solutions is worth including in your supplier evaluation.

Best for: Dealerships in Gauteng seeking a flexible, growing partner; fleet moves; combined bulk and vehicle transport requirements. Website: flccsolution.com

11. Imperial Logistics (DP World)

Imperial Logistics — now part of the global DP World group — is one of the largest and most well-established logistics providers on the African continent. With over 51,000 employees, access to more than 7,500 trucks, and operations across 14 countries, Imperial operates at a scale few others can match. The company’s automotive logistics division serves OEMs, large dealer groups, and car rental operations across South Africa and the broader African market.

Imperial’s capabilities extend well beyond vehicle transport to include warehousing, distribution, supply chain management, and financial services. For large franchise dealer networks or vehicle manufacturers requiring an end-to-end automotive logistics partner with continental reach, Imperial represents the top tier of the industry.

Best for: Large OEMs, national franchise dealer groups, pan-African automotive logistics, end-to-end supply chain. Website: imperiallogistics.com

12. Truckhire.co.za (Vehicle Transport Brokerage)

Truckhire.co.za functions as a transport brokerage, matching vehicle and freight transport needs with a wide supplier network across South Africa. For vehicle transport specifically, they can source rollback trucks for non-runners, lowbeds for heavy equipment, and specialist carriers for vehicles requiring careful handling. Their brokerage model means clients benefit from competitive pricing and broad route coverage without being locked into a single provider’s network.

For dealerships managing occasional one-off transport requirements — moving a non-runner, a classic car, or an oversize vehicle — Truckhire.co.za provides an efficient single point of contact.

Best for: Non-runners, one-off specialist vehicle moves, competitive quote comparison, flexible requirements. Website: truckhire.co.za

13. Reddot Group (Eastern Cape Specialists)

Note: Reddot Group appears at both positions 3 and 13 as two distinct service tiers — their contractual OEM and dealer fleet service (described above) and their ad hoc, private and inter-dealer delivery service, which operates on a non-contractual basis. For dealerships that are not on a formal OEM transport contract but require reliable Eastern Cape, George, and Bloemfontein coverage, Reddot’s non-contractual service — covering inter-dealer swaps, car rental relocations, auction moves, and general public moves — is a strong standalone option.

Best for: Eastern Cape dealerships, auction house moves, car rental fleet relocation, non-contractual dealer-to-customer delivery. Website: reddotgroup.co.za

5. How Much Does Car Transport Cost in South Africa?

Vehicle transport pricing in South Africa depends primarily on distance, vehicle type, transport method (open vs enclosed), and current fuel costs. As a general benchmark:

Route / Distance	Typical Cost Range
Short distance (under 300 km)	R3,000 – R5,000
Medium distance (300–800 km)	R5,000 – R12,000
Long distance (800 km+)	R12,000 – R15,000+
Enclosed transport premium	30–60% above open rates
Depot-to-depot (vs door-to-door)	10–20% saving

For dealerships managing regular stock movements, negotiating a contracted rate with a preferred carrier typically reduces per-vehicle costs significantly compared to spot pricing. Volume commitments, fixed routes, and predictable scheduling all strengthen the dealership’s negotiating position.

6. How to Prepare a Vehicle for Transport

Whether you’re a dealership dispatching stock or a private buyer sending a car across the country, proper vehicle preparation protects both you and the carrier.

Document existing condition. Photograph the vehicle comprehensively — all four sides, the roof, interior, and underneath — before handover. This is your evidence baseline.
Check tyre pressure and fuel level. Most carriers require a minimum fuel level (usually a quarter tank or less) and correct tyre pressures for safe loading.
Remove personal items and accessories. Loose items inside the vehicle can shift and cause interior damage. Remove roof racks, bike carriers, and other external accessories where possible.
Disable alarms. Alarms triggered during transport are a common issue. Deactivate them before handover or provide the carrier with the deactivation method.
Confirm any mechanical issues. Non-runners require specialised rollback equipment. Alert the carrier in advance — attempting to load a non-runner on a standard carrier can damage the vehicle and the equipment.
Get condition sign-off at collection. Insist on a written condition report signed by both parties at collection. Reputable companies do this as standard.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

How do car carriers secure vehicles during transport?

Vehicles are secured using wheel straps (also called tie-downs or wheel chocks) that anchor to the carrier’s deck at each wheel. Professional operators also use soft straps over the tyres to prevent movement. The loading angle and vehicle position on the carrier are carefully selected to prevent contact between vehicles.

Is my vehicle insured during transport?

Reputable car carriers carry comprehensive in-transit insurance. However, the policy details — including the excess, what damage types are covered, and whether aftermarket modifications are included — vary. Always request a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate and confirm your own vehicle insurance policy’s position on vehicles in transit.

Can a car carrier transport a non-runner?

Yes, using a rollback or flatbed truck. Alert the carrier in advance so they can send the correct equipment. Attempting to load a non-running vehicle onto a standard car carrier can cause damage to both the vehicle and the carrier deck.

How long does car transport take in South Africa?

Transit times vary by route and provider. On major corridors such as Johannesburg to Cape Town, turnaround times range from 2 to 4 days for open transport and can be as fast as 2 days with some enclosed carriers. Depot-to-depot services on fixed routes are generally faster than door-to-door, which depends on last-mile scheduling.

What is the difference between depot-to-depot and door-to-door transport?

Door-to-door means the carrier collects the vehicle from a specific address and delivers it to another specific address — maximum convenience but typically more expensive. Depot-to-depot means you drop the vehicle at a designated depot and collect it at the destination depot, which is cheaper and works well for dealerships with regular scheduled runs aligned to depot locations.

Can car carriers transport luxury or exotic vehicles?

Yes, using enclosed carriers. Companies like Exotic Carriers, CX Auto Carriers, and Auto Carriers offer enclosed transport specifically designed for high-value vehicles where open transport poses unacceptable cosmetic risk.

Do I need to be present for vehicle collection and delivery?

Not necessarily. Many dealerships and private buyers arrange key handover through a third party. However, having someone present to sign the condition report at both collection and delivery is strongly recommended to protect against disputed damage claims.

Can car carriers transport vehicles cross-border into Africa?

Several operators — including OneLogix, Reddot Group, and Imperial Logistics — offer cross-border vehicle transport into BLNS countries and beyond. Cross-border moves require additional documentation including a police clearance, letter of authority (if the vehicle is financed or not in your name), and compliance with destination country import regulations.

Summary

South Africa’s car carrier industry is well-developed, with options ranging from large OEM-scale operators like OneLogix and Imperial Logistics through to boutique enclosed specialists like Exotic Carriers and emerging flexible providers like FLCC Solutions. For dealerships, the most important factors are proven automotive experience, comprehensive insurance, transparent condition reporting, and coverage of your specific routes.

For high-volume franchise groups, a contracted arrangement with an RTMS-certified operator offering track and trace, PDI services, and depot storage will deliver the best operational efficiency. For occasional, ad hoc, or specialist moves, the broker and marketplace options — Wise Move, Truckhire.co.za, or CarCarriers.net — offer speed and price competition without a commitment.