Going travelling - sell or store cars?

Pythagoras

Hi All,

My girlfriend and I are going travelling later in the year for about 7 months. We are reasonably organised for going, but one thing we are struggling with is what to do with our cars (we have one each). One option is to sell and buy another when we return, although we're likely to loose money this way. Also we'd need a car up until we go and as soon as we return, so we'd probably end up hiring a car for a few weeks either side of our trip.

I have found a storage company which could take a car; they use shipping containers, so it would be covered, secure and dry. That would cost about £700 per car (including the cost of SORN insurance). So we think that this might be cheaper and less hassle than selling. Although it's still a lot of money...

We just wondered if anyone one had any other ideas that we could consider? And are there any companies that specialise in long term car storage? (Apart from the ones that look after classic cars - we've only got a Golf and a Clio!)

Thanks

MX5huggy

I would leave it with friends or family, Insure them and get them to use them once a week for a decent distance 10 miles plus. Cars don't like standing around.

nobbysn*ts

Depends what they're worth. Personally, I'd probably sell one, and keep one. For seven months, I'd also keep the normal insurance running, unless they both run out when you're away. And I'd store it outside, try a caravan storage type place, they are anything from £1 a day.

scotsbob

I spend four months each year overseas and I just arrange for a relative to give the car a run once every couple of weeks.

On the plus side, after 7 months your average mileage will have lowered and that will help your eventual resale price.

vansboy

Agree the sell one and leave other with friend to use now and again.

If it isnt used, you'll end up with rusty brakes and exhaust, flat spots on tyres and a failed battery.

VB

specialboy

£100 per month plus insurance just to store it? Personally I'd do as others have said, sell one and leave the other with a friend.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Yep, sell one and let someone reliable look after the other.

tykesi

I went away for nearly eight months a few years ago. At the time I had a car ('99 Civic) which I knew well and wanted to keep. I stuck it SORNd in a garage without any preparation other than leaving the handbrake off and the windows open slightly. It was there for 14 months in total and when I got back I stuck a new battery on, pumped the tyres up and drove it for an MoT. It had corroded brake pipes replaced along with oil, filter and brake & clutch fluids done and used it daily for another three years before selling it. It's still going now (or at least is still taxed).

I'd agree it is probably best to only do this with one car though.

colino

If they are run of the mill cars, sell them both and sell them now. The summer car buying season has picked up early and less than retail quality cars seem to be flying out.
Additionally when I went travelling, in no way did I keep to my rough schedule - it turned into years!

Herzlos

How important are the cars to you and how much are they actually worth? Are either of you considering upgrading in the nearish future?

Unless they are particularly rare/special models you could potentially lose less by selling them and buying similar when you get back.

If you put them in storage, you've got the fees + the insurance, then you'll need to get them serviced on return as they'll have sat for 7 months, they'll also have depreciated by 7 months in that period as well.

As above, sell at least one of them as early as you can get away with 1, then either leave the other with family to use for that time or sell it as late as you can get away with, and buy 2 new cars when you return.

knightstyle

I stored a car or a year when I was sent abroad, in friends garage, charged battery and started first time when I went back to it.
Disconnect battery, chock wheels and handbrake off was all I did.