What If My Car Doesn't Start at the Port? Non-Runner Shipping Explained

RORO (roll-on roll-off) vessels load and unload vehicles by driving them on and off ramps under their own power, using dockworkers called stevedores. A car that won't start, or can't be safely driven, disrupts the loading schedule and creates a hazard on the ramp and deck, which is why most RORO shipping lines require vehicles to be in running, driveable condition, with reasonable brakes and steering. If your car turns out to be a non-runner on collection or drop-off day, expect it to be turned away from that specific sailing.

If the vehicle doesn't start at the compound or port on delivery day, most shipping companies will document the issue, decline to load it onto that sailing, and either return it to storage (accruing daily fees) or ask you to arrange recovery. Some agents can arrange a jump-start or brief mechanical assistance on-site for genuinely minor issues like a flat battery, sometimes for a small call-out fee (£30–£60), but a jump-start doesn't guarantee the vehicle will restart reliably once loaded, and persistent faults will still likely see it rejected.

Container shipping doesn't require the vehicle to be driven on and off under its own power — it's loaded by winch or forklift with appropriate equipment, making it the standard solution for non-running, accident-damaged, classic or project cars. Expect to pay a non-runner handling surcharge of roughly £150–£350 on top of standard container rates, covering the additional labour, straps and lifting equipment required. Book this in advance rather than discovering the issue on collection day, since last-minute switches from RORO to container can mean missing your original sailing and rebooking weeks later.

Before your scheduled collection or drop-off, start the car and let it run for 10–15 minutes, check the battery charge (especially if the car has sat unused for more than a couple of weeks — trickle charging beforehand is cheap insurance), verify there's enough fuel to demonstrate it runs and can be manoeuvred, and check tyre pressures and basic brake function. If you know in advance the car is a non-runner (project car, recent breakdown, awaiting repair), tell your shipping company at the quote stage — most non-runner surcharges are far cheaper when planned for than when discovered on the day.

If a driver or transporter arrives to collect a vehicle that turns out not to start, many companies charge an abortive collection fee — typically £75–£150 — to cover the wasted journey, in addition to any rescheduling costs. This is separate from and additional to any non-runner surcharge for the eventual container booking, so a car that unexpectedly fails on the day can end up costing meaningfully more than one flagged as a non-runner from the outset.