For garages, bodyshops, parts factors and dealers
Automotive Parts Courier Guide: Engines, Panels and Urgent Spares
For a garage, a car waiting on a part ties up a ramp and the customer. This guide explains how to book parts runs between factors, breakers, bodyshops and workshops so the part arrives undamaged and on the day it's needed.
Parts move direct in one van, without a depot. That matters most for painted panels, glass and electronic modules, which are the items most often damaged in parcel networks.
Collection and delivery are required — a town, city or postcode is enough.
Same-Day / Urgent
Need automotive trade deliveries today? Collection within 60–90 minutes, direct driver, status updates — your job goes straight to the front of the queue.
Car from £1.25/mile · £55 minimum
Flexible DeliveryTypically around 30% less
Not in a rush? Flexi7 allows collection and delivery within seven days. We can match your automotive trade deliveries with suitable vehicle movements, subject to route suitability and availability.
Ideal for furniture, marketplace pickups & non-urgent freight
Typical automotive trade consignments and the van that suits them
A starting guide only. Vehicle specifications vary, so we confirm the exact vehicle against the dimensions, weight and access requirements of your job before allocation.
ECUs, sensors, lights, small spares
Usual vehicle: Car or small van
Boxed and labelled with the vehicle registration or job number.
Painted bumpers, bonnets, doors
Usual vehicle: Small to SWB van
Wrapped and kept upright. Tell us if the paint is fresh.
Engines and gearboxes
Usual vehicle: SWB van or larger
Must be drained and on a pallet or stand. Usually needs a forklift or engine crane at both ends.
Wheels and tyres, sets of four
Usual vehicle: Small or SWB van
Bagged or stacked flat. Alloy wheels should be separated with card.
Exhausts, driveshafts, long parts
Usual vehicle: SWB or LWB van
Give the longest length when booking.
See vehicle sizes and starting rates on our pricing page. Website prices are shown + VAT.
Before you book: what to have ready
Having these details ready lets us allocate the right vehicle and avoid a wasted journey.
- Part number, vehicle registration or your job card reference
- Collection contact at the factor, breaker or dealer, with opening hours
- Confirmation that the part has been paid for, or that the supplier will release it
- For engines and gearboxes: confirmation they are drained of oil, coolant and fuel
- Weight of heavy items and how they will be lifted at each end
- Whether the old part (core) needs to go back on the return leg
What happens on the day
1.Collection
The driver checks the part number against your booking and photographs the part, which records its condition before the journey.
2.Core returns
If the supplier needs your old unit back, we can book it as a return leg on the same job. That is often cheaper than two separate runs.
3.Delivery to the workshop
Signed for at reception or the workshop, with a photo emailed to the person who booked.
Same-Day or Flexible: which to book
Book Same-Day when…
- A customer's car is on the ramp and the part is the only thing holding it
- A dealer has an urgent warranty repair with a promised handback time
- A recovery or fleet vehicle needs to be back on the road today
Urgent collection is typically 60–90 minutes, subject to availability and location.
Book Flexible when…
- Returning cores or surplus stock to a factor
- Moving parts between your own branches
- Delivering parts for a restoration or project car with no fixed date
Flexible jobs are collected within an agreed window and cost less. The quote above shows both prices.
What we don't do
Knowing the limits up front saves you booking the wrong service.
- We can't carry undrained engines or gearboxes, loose fuel or damaged lithium-ion EV battery packs, as these need ADR.
- We don't transport whole vehicles. Car transporter work needs a specialist.
- We are not a parts factor. You arrange and pay for the part with your supplier.
Goods are normally covered under the assigned driver's goods-in-transit policy up to £5,000. Taylors Courier Service Ltd's contractual liability is capped at £250 unless otherwise agreed in writing. Additional cover can be arranged before collection. How cover works
Automotive trade deliveries: common questions
How do we stop a painted panel getting marked?
Wrap it in bubble wrap or foam and then cardboard, with edges protected, and tell us it is painted when booking. The driver will load it upright against the bulkhead and strap it.
Can you collect a part from a breaker's yard?
Yes. Breakers often need the part removed and paid for before collection, so confirm it is ready. Give the driver the yard's name and any reference they use.
Will the driver lift an engine into the van?
Not by hand. Engines and gearboxes need a forklift, engine crane or tail-lift at both ends, plus a pallet or stand. Tell us what's available and we'll quote the right vehicle.
Can you do a regular daily run from our factor to our branches?
Yes. A recurring run is usually priced more simply than separate bookings. See our recurring-deliveries page.
Related automotive trade services
Ready to book a automotive trade delivery?
Get both prices online in under a minute, or send the job details on WhatsApp and we'll confirm the right vehicle.