storing car for future use?

joyfull

Hi,

Have 10 yr old rover 25, 70, 000 miles.

Been a great car, well cared for, no major just maintenance repairs. Just passed mot.

Unable to drive (health issues) so considering keeping it off road with a view to giving it to partner when his (old) car gives up the ghost.

Would be kept outside. Time period unknown. Obviously battery would go flat.

We're both on v low incomes and it seems a shame to let go of the car which may have many more yrs left in it.

Would appreciate any thoughts on this.
Thanks.

Chopper_Read

Damp will be your main enemy so no cheap covers.

Rolandtheroadie

Sell it now with a good MOT on it and put the money in the bank until it's needed.

Either that or sell your partners car.

I've parked them up before, they then become a pain, get in the way and eventually they were normally given away or weighed in as they had gradually deteriorated.

maninthestreet

Sell it......

paulsad

Outside it'll just deteriorate without being run, tyres will go flat, battery will become u/s, engine may eventually seize. With posh cars in storage they drain all the fluids - remove battery, put them on stands, sometimes even put them is blow up tent type thingys to keep out the moisture etc.

reeac

joyfull wrote: »

Hi,

Have 10 yr old rover 25, 70, 000 miles.

Been a great car, well cared for, no major just maintenance repairs. Just passed mot.

Unable to drive (health issues) so considering keeping it off road with a view to giving it to partner when his (old) car gives up the ghost.

Would be kept outside. Time period unknown.

Keeping outside would be the killer even with the best cover. Underbody corrosion, brake seizure etc.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Agree with the above, outside storage is not good.

Even if you can find dry storage make sure the car is throughly hot washed underneath before parking up, otherwise the salt that will inevitably be caked on now will spend all summer attacking every part of the underbody suspension and braking system.

Herzlos

Unless you have a serious attachment to the car or don't think it'll be off the road long (a few months) then it'd probably make more sense to sell it now and buy a similar one when you start driving again.

It'd save you all the costs and hassle associated with the storage and any depreciation. You can then probably buy a similar aged one for less than you got (as it'll become worth less in the time you're not driving).

TrickyWicky

Sell it.. but if you REALLY want to keep it..

Disconnect the battery. Put it up on axle stands, underseal the bottom of the car, remove the wheels, brake discs and calipers, buy a cover, cover it. Stick tubs of salt or charcoal in to absorb dampness from the air.

Every two weeks uncover it, clean it, hoover it, wipe clean the steering wheel, door handles, seats and anything else like the gearstick which frequently has human hands touching it (mould grows on these surfaces the fastest). Leave the window open periodically so it can breathe. You may also want to periodically run the engine and use the heater to heat up the car.

With regards to fluids, you can leave the engine and gearbox oils, the coolant can stay however the brakes can seize. The brake fluid can absorb water so you're best just dismantling the brake discs and calipers and emptying out the brake fluid. Reinstate them when you need the car running again.

While its hard work, keeping that car that means a lot is sometimes something you just want to do. I'm in the same boat, I have one on e the drive thats been there for years. It's never had any damp problems until I covered it - then the steering wheel starting going mouldy along with the leather - slightly. That was a big lesson - first time in three years that it had the problem!

forgotmyname

What you dont want to do is start the engine let it run for a few minutes and then turn it off.

Is you start it then make sure it gets upto normal operating temperature for a good 10 to 15 minutes.

Lots of cold starts will cause excessive wear to the engine. Keep the battery off the car where you can charge it up every month.

joyfull

Thanks so much for the responses. This will really help the decision. Starting to think keeping it is not an option.