We send engines, motors, gearboxes and vehicle parts every day. The rules below are strict and are checked at collection.
What changed in August 2026
Palletline network rules for used engines, motors and gearboxes have changed. A pallet on its own is no longer accepted.
Poor preparation or unsuitable containment can mean the engine is refused and cover is void.
1. Drain it fully
No oil, fuel or coolant can remain. The engine must stay dry, with no drip, leak or weep.
- Drain all oil, fuel and coolant
- Leave time for residual fluid to escape
- Clean off grease, oil and debris
Leaks damage other freight, vehicles and handling equipment. If an engine leaks in the network, clean-up charges may apply and the shipment can be delayed or held.
2. Seal and protect it
- Seal all openings with threaded plugs or caps
- Protect sensors, wiring looms, pulleys and turbo inlets
- Keep the dipstick accessible for collection checks
3. Put it in a crate, stillage or frame
A pallet alone will not be accepted. The crate, stillage or purpose-designed transport frame must:
- Suit the engine’s weight and dimensions
- Be strong enough for normal handling and transport
- Stop the engine moving in transit
- Be safe for forklift handling
- Protect the engine and the freight around it
4. Secure it so it cannot move
The engine must not slide, shift or tip. Suitable methods include:
- Heavy-duty restraints
- Bolts or brackets
- Steel banding
- Secure mounting points
- Timber blocks
- Other engineered securing arrangements
Rope, tape, stretch wrap and shrink wrap must not be the main way of securing it. A damaged, unstable or poorly built crate, stillage or frame may be refused.
5. Catch leaks and wrap it clear
- Add absorbent material, a drip tray or both inside the crate, stillage or frame
- Wrap in clear film only. Black wrap is not permitted
- The engine must stay visible so it can be checked at collection
Check before you book
- Drained, and clean on the outside
- All openings sealed and vulnerable parts protected
- In a suitable crate, stillage or frame that fits its weight and size
- Cannot move, slide or tip
- Leak containment in place
- Clear wrap only, with the engine visible
- Stable and safe for forklift handling
- Hard-standing ground at collection and delivery, because pallet trucks cannot work on gravel, grass or loose surfaces
Unsure about your packaging? Ask on Live Chat before you book.
Collection is not acceptance
If a driver collects your engine, that does not mean it has been accepted. It can be rejected at any point, including at the depot, if it does not meet these rules. It may also be held until it is corrected.
The bill payer is ultimately responsible. That includes the collection charge and any clean-up, downtime, repairs and other losses we may reclaim.
How much does it cost?
The price depends on the weight and overall dimensions of the complete packed shipment, including the crate, stillage or frame, and on the delivery postcode. Get an engine delivery quote now.
Last updated: August 2026