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Long-term storage of your vehicle, whether for a season or longer, requires careful preparation. This guide delves into choosing where to storage your vehicle and the steps necessary to ensure your car remains in excellent condition during its time off the road.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, we need to establish how long a car can be stored without being driven. Under normal circumstances, experts often recommend driving your car at least every two to three weeks. Using a car any less than this increases the likelihood of problems occurring when you get back on the road and of course, it may not start...
You could leave your car in a garage or parked outside for months with no major problems, but the longer you leave it, the greater the risk of issues developing and the more measures you need to take to mitigate the risk.
Preparing your car for storage is essential to minimise the risk of damage and ensure it's ready to drive once removed from storage. Failure to do so can lead to various issues such as flat batteries and engine troubles, resulting in costly and time-consuming repairs.
Ideal for long-term storage, indoor facilities offer protection from harsh weather conditions, significantly reducing the risk of rust and paint damage. This is particularly important for classic or high-end vehicles that require extra care.
While being more budget-friendly, outdoor storage demands meticulous preparation to combat weather elements. Using high-quality, weather-resistant covers is crucial for vehicles stored in exposed areas like driveways to protect against rain and sun damage.
Choose a facility with strong security measures such as surveillance cameras to prevent theft and vandalism. The peace of mind that comes with knowing your vehicle is safe is invaluable.
Select a facility that is conveniently located for you. Regular access may be necessary for maintenance checks, making the proximity of the storage location important.
Consider the price with the level of protection and amenities provided. Higher costs might be justified for better security and maintenance services.
Assess local climate conditions. Vehicles in coastal areas may require additional precautions against rust due to salty air, for instance.
When deciding on where to store your vehicle, one of the major considerations is whether to store it at home or a professional storage facility. Each choice has its own set of advantages and considerations that need to be weighed up based on your specific needs, the value of the vehicle, and the length of storage required.
Storing your vehicle at home, such as in a garage or on your property, offers convenience and accessibility. It's likely to be the most cost-effective choice and allows you regular access to your vehicle for maintenance and checks.
Cost-Effective
There are no additional storage costs involved if you have all the storage equipment and car maintenance products already on hand.
Accessibility
Easy access for regular maintenance and checks, plus if you miss your car then you can just head out to where it's stored.
Control
Greater control over the storage conditions and security, if you are happy with the setup that you have.
Space Limitations
Not all homes have adequate space for safe vehicle storage, especially for multiple or larger vehicles.
Environmental Factors
Home storage may not provide the best protection from environmental factors like extreme temperatures or humidity.
Security
Home storage may lack advanced security features compared to professional facilities.
Professional storage facilities offer specialised services and environments tailored for vehicle storage. They can provide enhanced security, climate control, and added services that might not be possible at home.
Climate Control
Professional facilities often offer climate-controlled environments, protecting your vehicle from extreme temperatures and humidity.
Security
Enhanced security features like surveillance cameras, gated access, and 24/7 monitoring.
Additional Services
Many indoor car storage facilities offer services such as regular maintenance, battery charging, and even concierge services for vehicle transportation.
Cost
Proper storage facilities come with a monthly fee, which can vary based on the level of service and location, which can become extremely expensive over an extended period. You need to factor in the total cost if you're looking to put your vehicle into long-term car storage.
Accessibility
Depending on the facility's location and hours of operation, accessing your vehicle might be less convenient compared to home storage.
Contractual Obligations
Some facilities may require long-term commitments or have specific terms in their contracts.
Before you put your car into storage, take it for a drive, get it up to temperature and check for any issues or warning lights. It's better to resolve these issues before your car goes into storage because leaving your vehicle for a prolonged period could compound any issues.
Changing the oil and other fluids prior to lay-up is crucial to prevent corrosion inside the engine.
Over time, used oil accumulates acidic compounds, moisture, and various contaminants. If used engine oil is left in your car while in storage, these elements pose a risk of corroding crucial engine components. This corrosion not only jeopardizes the engine's performance but also undermines its longevity and reliability.
Top up the power steering fluid and brake fluid. These fluids are hygroscopic, meaning that they absorb moisture from the surrounding air over time. Moisture contamination can lead to corrosion, so topping up the fluids before storage helps reduce the amount of air space in the reservoirs, minimizing the potential for moisture absorption.
Fresh antifreeze & engine coolant is also essential to protect against temperature extremes and prevent corrosion and rust within the cooling system.
Using a battery trickle charger is vital to keep the battery charged, especially important for modern vehicles with electronic systems. Disconnecting the battery for extended storage periods can also prolong its lifespan, plus you don't want to come back to your pride and joy with a dead battery.
Maintaining correct tyre pressure is necessary to prevent flat spots from forming during long-term storage. For extremely lengthy periods, consider using tyre cradles or axle stands for added protection, or rotating your tyres to prevent uneven wear.
Clean your brakes before storage; you don't want your brakes to seize and corrosion to set in. We have a separate comprehensive car brake cleaning guide.
A comprehensive car wax and polish removes harmful substances like bird droppings or tree sap, which can damage the paint over time. Ensure the vehicle is completely dry to prevent rust, paying additional attention to hidden moisture traps.
Applying a layer of quality car wax or sealant forms a protective barrier against dust and moisture. Rust prevention treatments are particularly beneficial for older vehicles or if you live near the sea where salt levels in the air are higher. It's also worth adding a leather moisturiser to leather seats to help keep them in good condition while in storage.
Car covers are essential for outdoor car storage, protecting the vehicle from dust, debris, and potential scratches. Choose one that's the right size for your vehicle, to prevent excess flapping and potential wind damage.
A clean interior prevents mould growth and maintains a fresh smell. Conditioning leather interiors helps avoid cracking and drying out. You'll find a wide selection of interior car cleaning products on our web site.
Using pest deterrents like mothballs or rodent repellents is essential, especially in rural or less controlled environments where the risk of infestation is higher.
Implementing moisture absorbers like silica gel packs helps maintain a dry interior environment, crucial for preventing mildew and mould.
Fill up your tank with fuel before storage. It might seem counter-intuitive to have a full fuel tank when you're not planning to go anywhere, but when a fuel tank is partially empty, condensation can form inside due to temperature fluctuations. This moisture can lead to corrosion of the fuel tank and fuel lines over time.
By filling the tank before storage, you minimise the air space inside the tank, reducing the potential for condensation and corrosion.
Fuel can degrade over time, especially if exposed to air and moisture. A full tank of fuel minimises air exposure, which helps preserve the quality of the fuel during storage.
For petrol engines, we recommend a product such as Millers Oils Tank Safe for corrosion protection and vapour phase inhibition (VPI).
The VPI particles travel as a vapour and form an invisible protective layer on the surface of metals, preventing moisture, oxygen and other corrosive elements from making contact with the metal surfaces in your engine.
Disconnecting the negative terminal or using a trickle charger ensures the battery stays healthy during extended storage periods.
If your car isn't being used regularly, consider a limited mileage or classic car policy which could be cheaper.
Keeping track of registration renewals is important to avoid unintentional lapses or penalties. Don't forget to complete a SORN if your vehicle is off the road – otherwise you'll still need to pay your vehicle excise tax.
Adding additional security measures like steering locks or alarm systems provides extra protection, particularly in outdoor or less secure storage situations.
Choosing a facility with enhanced security features like CCTV and gated access offers additional peace of mind and vehicle safety.
Periodic checks help identify any potential issues early on, such as leaks or a decrease in tyre pressure.
Occasionally running the engine and moving the car helps maintain its mechanical condition and prevents issues like brake disc corrosion.
Before getting back on the road, reconnect the battery if it is disconnected, check all fluid levels, and inspect the tyres for any damage or low pressure. Once these static checks have been made, turn the engine on and let the engine get up to temperature. While it's getting up to temperature, check over the bodywork and interior to make sure the vehicle is in the same condition as when you put it into storage. Check for drips and fluid loss.
When your car is up to temperature, get in, put your belt on and enjoy that first drive!
As ever, if you have questions, get in touch with our technical experts via phone, email or chat. We'll be happy to discuss your requirements and recommend products that we think will help you with the long-term storage of your car, whether that's fluid changes, car cleaning products, additives to protect your fuel system, breathable car covers… get in touch!
You may find our comprehensive guide to cleaning your brakes useful.