Quick answer
Southern Auto Transport Service has the stronger current audit profile
Southern Auto Transport Service leads this comparison by 69 points in Verify Car Carrier’s current audit data. That is a meaningful evidence edge, not a guarantee of an individual shipment outcome—confirm the final quote, carrier assignment, pickup window, and cancellation terms before booking.
Your shipment. Your choice of company.
Request a quote from the company you choose. Company contact and a shipment-specific quote come next—not an instant price.
How to use this comparison
Choose based on your shipment—not a headline score alone
The score is a useful starting point, but price certainty, vehicle type, pickup urgency, and the quality of the assigned carrier matter too. We compare audited signals instead of selling rank positions, then link to the underlying broker reports so you can verify the evidence before you request quotes.
Best fit by situation
When each broker may make more sense
Direct Van Lines
5/100 · Do Not Recommend
- •21 years in business adds operating history
Southern Auto Transport Service
74/100 · Strong Recommended Option
- •Luxury shipping is a stated overall fit
- •strong audited fits: open transport, enclosed transport, and luxury or high-value vehicles
- •28 years in business adds operating history
Broker-by-broker analysis
What the audited evidence says
Direct Van Lines
5/100 · Do Not Recommend · Audited August 17, 2026
This audit gives Direct Van Lines a score of 5/100 — Do Not Recommend. We do not currently recommend this broker based on the FMCSA, review, and customer-experience data reviewed. Auditor notes: Complete multi-category audit performed based on verified FMCSA records and rating metrics..
Repeat-customer signal to verify
The audit describes repeat-customer evidence as weaker than this broker’s other customer-experience signals. Review recent source feedback and confirm the written terms before treating the overall score as decisive.
Authority and company record
UNITED RELOCATION SERVICES INC does not currently show active FMCSA operating authority, under MC MC-527837 / USDOT 1393119. Its legal name, MC number, and public-facing identity line up consistently. Contact channels (website, phone, email) were all reachable and functioning at time of audit. The company has operated for 21 years, and its public profile is complete.
Reviews and customer experience
Across review platforms, UNITED RELOCATION SERVICES INC shows 3.8★ on Google (33 reviews), 3.3★ on Transport Reviews (10 reviews), 3★ on Trustpilot, 2.7★ on ConsumerAffairs. Review activity is stale, and sentiment is weak across platforms. BBB status is listed as NR, with a high complaint signal. Overall complaint severity in this audit is rated high. Customer accounts describe communication as weak and price honesty as weak. Pickup experiences run weak, and delivery experiences run weak. Problem handling is described as weak, and reports on whether customers would use UNITED RELOCATION SERVICES INC again are weak.
Pricing and service fit
UNITED RELOCATION SERVICES INC positions itself as a mid-range option. Consistency between quoted and final price is low, with high risk of price-change complaints. Customers generally describe the value as medium. Dynamic market rate estimate. Coverage on common shipping lanes is rated weak, with low confidence in route relevance. Weaker fit for open transport.
Transparency and brand signals
Website and brand presentation come across as weak, with mixed handling of public reviews and mixed service transparency. Overall trust feel from this audit is weak.
Positive signals
- Established Brand History
- National Route Coverage
What to verify
- FMCSA authority not confirmed active
- Inactive FMCSA Operating Status
- Moderate Pricing Variability
Source checks
Southern Auto Transport Service
74/100 · Strong Recommended Option · Audited August 17, 2026
This audit gives Southern Auto Transport Service a score of 74/100 — Strong Recommended Option. We recommend using this broker based on the FMCSA, review, and customer-experience data reviewed. Auditor notes: Complete multi-category audit performed based on verified FMCSA records and rating metrics..
Authority and company record
SOUTHERN AUTO TRANSPORT SERVICES INC holds active FMCSA operating authority, under MC MC-348892 / USDOT 780051. Its legal name, MC number, and public-facing identity line up consistently. Contact channels (website, phone, email) were all reachable and functioning at time of audit. The company has operated for 28 years, and its public profile is complete.
Reviews and customer experience
Across review platforms, SOUTHERN AUTO TRANSPORT SERVICES INC shows 4.9★ on Google (2,040 reviews), 4.9★ on Transport Reviews (1 reviews), 4.8★ on Trustpilot, 4.7★ on ConsumerAffairs. Review activity is okay, and sentiment is mixed across platforms. BBB status is listed as B+, with a medium complaint signal. Overall complaint severity in this audit is rated medium. Customer accounts describe communication as strong and price honesty as mixed. Pickup experiences run strong, and delivery experiences run strong. Problem handling is described as mixed, and reports on whether customers would use SOUTHERN AUTO TRANSPORT SERVICES INC again are strong.
Pricing and service fit
SOUTHERN AUTO TRANSPORT SERVICES INC positions itself as a premium option. Consistency between quoted and final price is medium, with medium risk of price-change complaints. Customers generally describe the value as high. Dynamic market rate estimate. Coverage on common shipping lanes is rated strong, with high confidence in route relevance. Best suited for open transport, enclosed transport, luxury or high-value vehicles.
Transparency and brand signals
Website and brand presentation come across as strong, with mixed handling of public reviews and strong service transparency. Overall trust feel from this audit is strong.
Positive signals
- Active FMCSA Authority
- Strong Customer Reviews
What to verify
- Moderate Pricing Variability
Source checks
Before you book
Get the terms in writing
Ask each broker for the total price, deposit and cancellation terms, pickup window, carrier information when assigned, cargo coverage, and how price changes are handled. A strong audit profile does not replace reading the agreement for your specific shipment.