Vehicles Left Standing

beccauk

I'm probably answering my own question here, but I wanted to check before taking any action:

I have, on my driveway, a 2003 Ford Fiesta with circa 43,000 miles on the clock. It hasn't been driven in 13 months, and is SORNed and uninsured. Its value, while it was still being driven, seemed to be around £1,000 on Autotrader.

Am I right in thinking that any 'damage' caused by not driving it means the car has written itself off and that I should just contact a scrapyard and be grateful for any money they offer, if any? Or is it worth selling it, bearing in mind it'd be a slow process as it'd involve re-insuring and taxing it for test drives?

Second question: My current car (a 2009 Focus) is likely to be stationery for prolonged-ish periods (say 3-5 weeks at a time) this year as I'm going to be away a lot. Is this length of time likely to cause a flat battery? Is there any precautions I should take to reduce maintainence issues?

jimjames

I can't imagine there will be a massive hit to the value if the car is still driveable. I just bought one that had sat for 8 months and paid £500 although it also had damage to it that reduced the price. Put it on Ebay as is and you'll get offers especially with low mileage but with a bit of effort you could increase the value eg charge battery and make sure it all starts up.

If a car is not going to be used then I'd suggest disconnecting the battery as otherwise the alarm etc will drain it and kill the battery if it's left discharged.

Norman_Castle

If the Fiesta was healthy when parked up its likely to still be good now. Charge the battery and see if it starts.

With the Focus the battery may be low but not flat after 5 weeks so no long term damage. Charging it fully before you leave would help. If possible and safe park it without the handbrake on.

[Deleted User]

That is a nice low mileage Fiesta in my opinion, and an excellent grands worth for any young drivers first car .The car has no idea of its age and its 43 thousand miles away from the time it rolled off the Spanish production line. It wont have rusted any more than if it was rolling around the salty wet UK streets. They only thing I can think of which deteriate with age by doing nothing is the battery and possible if very long term the rubber seals in brake cylinders/calipers. Bargain at 1k despite being 12 years old.

securityguy

A friend of mine left a Fiesta on her drive for about six month. It started on the first turn of the key, didn't even need to charge the battery. Which astounded me, as I would expect clock plus alarm to drain the battery over that period of time.

patman99

You might (and I mean might) need to add fresh fuel in order to get the engine to fire up and run properly as petrol does evaporate over time and become unusable.

Rolandtheroadie

Any car I've left for a prolonged period (as I had an irrational emotional attachment to them) has cost to put back on the road, then the romance has gone and I regret doing it.

On the Fiesta, I'd try and get it started, then advertise it on ebay with an honest description. No insurance, no test drives, no road tax. Sold as seen, spares or repairs.

[Deleted User]

Best to leave the handbrake off and in gear when left parked up for any length of time.

My sister parked up for 6 months and left handbrake on and brakes had seized when she came to put it back on the road. It was left again for a few month at a later date but with the handbrake off and the brakes were fine when it got put back on the road again.

Gloomendoom

I had a 120,000 mile V6 Rover 800 that had sat in a farmyard for two years. I replaced the battery (no cost as it was still under warranty from Halfords), it started first time on the old petrol so I took it for an MoT not expecting to pass. It did with no advisories.

Leaving a car standing doesn't always wreck it.

konark

Try to get engine running and drive it a couple of feet up and down your drive to make sure the brakes and clutch aren't binding. Other problems with lengthy lay-ups are seized locks, stressed wheelbearings, tyres mis-shaped from standing too long etc. Cars don't like being layed-up and those who do this regularly, such as classic car owners who only use their car in the summer, take great care before laying-up and in recommissioning

AdrianC

Put it on eBay, 99p, no reserve. Some optimist will think they've got a bargain.