Terms & Conditions of Vehicle Transport

1. Client Responsibilities & Vehicle Preparation

To ensure movements are completed smoothly and without unnecessary cost or delay, the client must:

• Provide accurate and complete booking details at the time of request. Errors or omissions that result in additional costs will be charged to the client.
• Ensure all associated dealer costs (including vehicle payment, PDIs, accessories, and registration) are fully settled before transport. Swift Shift Group will not be liable for any collection refusal or delay arising from outstanding third-party payments.
• Present the vehicle for collection with keys, all relevant documents, and safe, unobstructed access.
• Disclose any known faults — mechanical, electrical, or cosmetic — in writing prior to collection. Failure to disclose known defects may void any subsequent claim.
• Ensure vehicles are in a movable condition. Additional charges will apply if intervention is required (e.g. flat battery, seized brakes, insufficient fuel, or vehicles requiring specialist equipment not previously requested).
• Remove all personal belongings prior to collection. Swift Shift Group accepts no responsibility whatsoever for items left in or on vehicles, including satellite navigation devices, valuables, or personal effects.
• Ensure a competent representative is present at both collection and delivery, or explicitly accept our digital appraisal as the binding and final record of vehicle condition.
• Accept that traffic, weather, compliance with driver hours regulations, and unforeseen events may occasionally cause unavoidable delays. Estimated times are provided in good faith and do not constitute a guarantee.

2. Payments

• All movements completed within a calendar month must be settled in full by the final working day of that month, unless an alternative payment schedule has been formally agreed in writing prior to the service being rendered.
• Invoices are issued weekly as standard. Payment is due on receipt unless a formal credit account has been established.
• All prices are exclusive of VAT unless expressly stated otherwise.
• Overdue balances will attract statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate per annum, calculated on a daily basis, in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. Debt recovery costs will also be added where applicable.
• Invoice queries must be raised in writing within 7 days of the invoice date. Undisputed portions of any invoice remain payable in full and on time regardless of any query.
• Swift Shift Group reserves the right to suspend services without notice where invoices remain outstanding beyond their due date.
• Swift Shift Group may set off any amounts owed by the client against sums otherwise payable to the client.

3. Waiting Time

• A 30-minute grace period is included at both collection and delivery at no additional charge.
• Waiting time applies only to genuine non-productive delays caused by the client, their customer, or third parties — not to routine inspections or handover procedures.
• After the 30-minute grace period, waiting time is charged at £50 + VAT per 30 minutes, or part thereof.
• Where waiting exceeds 90 minutes from the agreed time, the booking may be treated as aborted and the full fee charged accordingly (see Section 4).
• Swift Shift Group will always contact the relevant parties to confirm timing. Where a delay arises because a third-party dealer or customer is unprepared despite prior confirmation, all associated costs — including waiting time, aborted job fees, and any onward costs — remain fully chargeable to the client.
• Waiting time is calculated solely by Swift Shift Group based on our operational records and driver logs. This calculation is final and not subject to dispute once invoiced.

4. Cancellations & Aborted Jobs

• Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice: 25% of the agreed fee or £100 + VAT, whichever is greater.
• Cancellations made on the day of transport, or after 6:00 pm the evening prior: 50% of the agreed fee or £125 + VAT, whichever is greater.
• Where our driver attends the collection point and the job cannot proceed for any reason attributable to the client: 100% of the agreed fee (aborted job). This includes, but is not limited to, vehicle unavailability, unpaid dealer fees, or the vehicle being in an unsafe or unroadworthy condition.
• Where a cancellation is caused solely by Swift Shift Group, no cancellation charge will apply.
• Repeated late cancellations may result in the requirement for advance payment or termination of the trading relationship at our sole discretion.

5. Changes to Bookings

• All amendments — including changes to addresses, timings, vehicle details, or part-exchange arrangements — must be confirmed in writing at least 24 hours before the scheduled collection.
• Late changes may not be operationally possible and may attract additional charges. Swift Shift Group will endeavour to accommodate changes where practicable but accepts no liability for failure to do so where insufficient notice has been given.
• Verbal amendments will not be binding. All agreed variations must be confirmed in writing (including by email) to be enforceable.

6. Condition Reports & Handover

• A digital condition report — including photographs, timestamps, and electronic signatures — is completed at both collection and delivery. These records form part of the contractual evidence in the event of any dispute.
• A walkaround inspection is carried out by the end user or their authorised representative at delivery. Once the delivery report is signed or electronically acknowledged, it is final and binding as to the vehicle's condition at that point.
• If no representative is present at delivery, our digital appraisal will stand as the sole, complete, and binding record of vehicle condition. No subsequent claim regarding condition at delivery will be entertained where the client has failed to arrange a representative.
• In the event of adverse weather, poor visibility, or vehicle contamination (rain, snow, mud, or dirt), some minor marks or defects may not be visible during inspection. The condition report remains valid and binding in such circumstances.
• Swift Shift Group cannot be held liable for defects that could not reasonably have been identified at the time of inspection due to weather, lighting conditions, or vehicle presentation.
• It is the client's sole responsibility to ensure the vehicle is fully prepared for handover — including bodywork inspections, valet, fuelling, and any final quality checks. Our role is transport and condition appraisal.

7. Insurance & Liability

• All vehicles are transported under Swift Shift Group's comprehensive motor trade insurance policy, which includes Goods in Transit (GIT) cover.
• Our liability is strictly limited to direct physical damage that is proven to have occurred while the vehicle was in our care, custody, and control, and that is confirmed at the point of delivery on our condition report.
• Swift Shift Group accepts no liability for:
  • Pre-existing damage, wear and tear, or cosmetic imperfections;
  • Stone chips, road debris impact, or minor cosmetic marks arising during transit;
  • Mechanical or electrical issues, including limp mode, warning lights, or battery failure;
  • Aftermarket parts, modifications, or accessories — whether fitted or removed during transit;
  • Personal items, valuables, or belongings left in or on the vehicle;
  • Indirect, consequential, or financial loss of any nature, including loss of profit, missed sales, penalties, or reputational damage.
• Any claim must be reported to us in writing within 24 hours of delivery, accompanied by photographic evidence taken at the time of delivery. Claims raised after this period, or without contemporaneous evidence, will not be considered.
• Our maximum liability in any circumstance shall not exceed the current market value of the vehicle as at the date of collection, subject to the terms and limits of our insurance policy.

8. Risk Transfer & Responsibility

• Risk in the vehicle transfers to Swift Shift Group only once the vehicle has been formally signed into our digital condition report at collection.
• Risk transfers back to the client upon signature of the delivery condition report, or, where no representative is present, upon completion of our digital appraisal at the delivery address.
• Vehicles awaiting collection or delivery outside of agreed times, or left unattended at premises not under Swift Shift Group's custody, remain entirely at the client's risk.

9. Confidentiality & Media

• All movements are handled with strict commercial confidence. Vehicle and client details will not be disclosed to any third party without consent, except where legally required.
• Unless notified otherwise in writing prior to collection, vehicles moved by Swift Shift Group may be photographed and/or recorded for operational, quality assurance, or promotional purposes, including use on social media and marketing materials.
• Clients wishing to opt out of any promotional use of their vehicles must notify us in writing at the time of booking. Operational photography for condition report purposes will always be taken regardless of marketing opt-out.

10. VIP & Premium Services

For clients requiring additional flexibility, protection, or discretion, Swift Shift Group offers:

• Enclosed Transport — maximum physical protection and absolute privacy;
• Twilight & Out-of-Hours Movements — 24/7 availability on request;
• Secure Storage — gated compounds with CCTV monitoring and controlled access;
• Fleet & Event Logistics — multi-vehicle solutions for launches, events, or private requirements.

These services incur additional charges and are quoted separately. Availability is subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Premium service bookings are subject to these Terms in addition to any supplementary agreement.

11. Drivers

• All Swift Shift Group drivers are trained, vetted, insured, and required to represent the company with professionalism and integrity at all times.
• We respectfully ask that clients and their customers extend the same courtesy and respect to our drivers. Abusive, threatening, or unreasonable behaviour toward our drivers will not be tolerated and may result in immediate termination of the service, with the full fee remaining payable.
• Our drivers represent your brand as well as ours when delivering vehicles to your customers. Professional conduct at all times protects both reputations.
• Feedback on driver performance — whether positive or constructive — is actively encouraged and reviewed as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.

12. Trade Plates & Legal Compliance

• Where vehicles are moved on trade plates, the client confirms that they have the authority to authorise such movement and that the vehicle is legally entitled to be moved in this manner.
• Swift Shift Group accepts no liability for penalties, fixed charges, enforcement action, or other consequences arising from inaccurate client instructions relating to vehicle registration, taxation status, SORN, or the legality of movement.
• The client indemnifies Swift Shift Group against any costs, fines, or claims arising from false or misleading instructions regarding a vehicle's legal status.

13. Mileage, Fuel & Vehicle Usage

• Vehicles may accrue minimal additional mileage where required for loading, unloading, positioning, safety manoeuvres, compliance checks, or compound movements. Such mileage is inherent to the transport process and will not be treated as excessive use.
• Fuel levels are not guaranteed to be preserved. Swift Shift Group is not responsible for fuel consumption incurred during lawful transport-related movements.
• We will not use client vehicles for any purpose other than that which is reasonably necessary to complete the booked movement.

14. Subcontracting

• Swift Shift Group may utilise approved and vetted subcontractors where operationally necessary.
• All subcontractors are required to operate under equivalent insurance, confidentiality, and service standards. Swift Shift Group remains responsible to the client for the performance of any subcontracted movement as though it were carried out directly.
• Clients will not be informed of specific subcontractor identities as standard. Where requested, disclosure will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

15. Storage

• Storage is available at agreed daily or monthly rates, confirmed in writing prior to commencement.
• Stored vehicles remain at the client's risk unless additional insurance cover has been separately arranged and confirmed in writing.
• Vehicles not collected within the agreed storage period may be withheld until all outstanding charges are settled in full. Further storage charges will continue to accrue.
• Delays caused by client or dealer issues — including unpaid PDI, incomplete paperwork, or title disputes — will incur overnight storage at £100 + VAT per night, charged from the first night of delay.
• Where a storage delay is directly caused by Swift Shift Group (for example, due to a logistics or compliance issue), storage will be provided at no charge for the period of our fault.

16. Right to Decline & Credit

Swift Shift Group reserves the right to refuse, suspend, or terminate any booking or trading relationship if:

• The vehicle is deemed unsafe, unroadworthy, or poses a risk to our drivers or third parties;
• Collection or delivery conditions present health and safety risks that cannot be reasonably mitigated;
• The client has overdue invoices, a history of late payment, or a record of non-compliance with these Terms;
• We reasonably believe that information provided is materially false or misleading.

No liability will attach to Swift Shift Group for any loss arising from the lawful exercise of this right.

17. Force Majeure

• Swift Shift Group shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance arising from circumstances genuinely beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: vehicle breakdowns, road traffic accidents, road closures, severe weather conditions, acts of God, strikes, fuel shortages, pandemics, or government-imposed restrictions.
• All movements comply fully with UK tachograph legislation and driver hours regulations. Delivery times may be adjusted where required by law to maintain compliance. The client acknowledges these legal obligations and agrees that compliance-related delays will not constitute a breach of contract.
• Where a force majeure event affects a confirmed booking, Swift Shift Group will notify the client as soon as reasonably practicable and work to reschedule at the earliest available opportunity. No cancellation charges will apply in genuine force majeure circumstances.

18. Data Protection

• Swift Shift Group processes client data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
• Personal data is collected and processed solely for the purposes of providing agreed services, invoicing, legal compliance, and legitimate business interests.
• Digital condition records, photographs, and operational data are stored securely and retained for a minimum of six years for audit, insurance, and dispute resolution purposes.
• Client data will not be sold or shared with third parties other than as required to perform the contracted service (e.g. subcontractors, insurers) or as required by law.
• For full details of how we handle your personal data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

19. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision shall be severed and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

20. Entire Agreement & Variation

These Terms, together with any written quotation or booking confirmation issued by Swift Shift Group, constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the services. They supersede all prior representations, negotiations, and agreements. No variation to these Terms shall be effective unless agreed in writing and signed or acknowledged by an authorised representative of Swift Shift Group.

21. Governing Law

These Terms are governed exclusively by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from or in connection with these Terms or the services provided shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. The parties agree to attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute through direct negotiation before commencing formal proceedings.

22. Contact Details

• Phone: +44 7399 11 11 53
• Email: hello@swift-shift.uk
• Website: www.swift-shift.uk
• Social media (Instagram & TikTok): Transport.swiftly
• Registered Address: First Floor Lipton House, Stanbridge Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4QQ
• Secondary Address: Integro Third Floor, Barnwood Point, Corinium House, Gloucester, GL4 3HX
• Company No: 15664496  |  VAT No: 466116785

23. Acceptance

Thank you for choosing Swift Shift Group Ltd. We look forward to building a strong, long-term partnership and delivering a transport service that is seamless, professional, and reliable.

By booking with us following receipt of these Terms, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions in their entirety. Where a booking is made on behalf of a company or organisation, the individual making the booking warrants that they have authority to bind that entity.