How to keep SORN car in good condition

Iceweasel

Definitely no cover outdoors - it'll trap condensation and/or rub through the paintwork at the corners even if it is exposed to only light wind. Don't ask me why I know this

Handbrake off - if it's a manual g/box leave it in gear - if auto leave it in P.

Remove the windscreen wipers.

Inflate the tyres to the max pressure stated on the sidewalls to prevent/minimise flat spots.

If you are going to start and run the engine, it would need to be for at least 30 to 40 minutes otherwise don't bother.

A dampness eliminator trap inside is a good idea- they only cost a £1 in Asda or Home Bargains.

Fill the tank - there will be some unavoidable water from condensation in the bottom of the tank - so if you give the bug/fungus lots of air as well you increase the changes of gunge formation. The organisms that live in biofuel these days are more of a problem than fuel going 'off'. In three months the fuel will not deteriorate to any great extent. This especially important if leaving a diesel-engined vehicle idle for some time - but it applies to petrol-engined one too these days.

kmb500

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

While fuel may "go off", I recently started ,my VW T25 after over 18 months and it went first time (I also installed a new battery at the same time). Took about 15 seconds cranking for the mechanical pump to draw the fuel up to the carb, but then it burst into life, no coughing or spluttering etc.

I feel that the reported degradation of fuel over time is overstated.

Yeah it's really not an issue in my experience, my parents used to keep petrol in a jerry can in the garage and it was never used. I once ran out of petrol and we poured the jerry can into the car, the petrol was easily over a year, the car was fine.

Ebe_Scrooge

A couple of people have said leave the handbrake off and leave the car in gear. Handbrake off - definitely. But if it were me I'd prefer to leave it in neutral and make sure the wheels were securely chocked ( both behind and in front of the tyres, to be doubly sure ).

Mercdriver

facade wrote: »

Not really. They keep most of the bird poo off, but flap about in the wind and mark the paint. The waterproof ones trap condensation, and make it go rusty and smell inside, the breathable ones aren't waterproof.
(Same as an outdoor coat- you can have waterproof or breathable, not both.)

My Goretex coats seem to manage to be waterproof and breathable if maintain them correctly. The key to breathability with outdoor coats is to wear breathable layers below it. If you don't, it's not the coat's fault!

Strider590

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

A couple of people have said leave the handbrake off and leave the car in gear. Handbrake off - definitely. But if it were me I'd prefer to leave it in neutral and make sure the wheels were securely chocked ( both behind and in front of the tyres, to be doubly sure ).

This is sound advice, in storage my kitcar is chocked with the handbrake off, BUT I think by law a car parked on the road must have the handbrake on AND if anyone realised it was off, you might wake to find your car has been rolled down the street by some passing drunk teenagers.

Ebe_Scrooge

Strider590 wrote: »

This is sound advice, in storage my kitcar is chocked with the handbrake off, BUT I think by law a car parked on the road must have the handbrake on AND if anyone realised it was off, you might wake to find your car has been rolled down the street by some passing drunk teenagers.

Agreed. And during everyday use I always apply the handbrake and leave it in gear as a matter of routine - belt & braces, that's me


But if the car is offroad ( which it is by definition, as it's SORN'd ), that's when I'd use the chocks. I guess I was assuming the car was in a secure place; if this is not the case, then you're absolutely right - leaving it in gear will prevent scroats from pushing it away.

facade

Mercdriver wrote: »

My Goretex coats seem to manage to be waterproof and breathable if maintain them correctly. The key to breathability with outdoor coats is to wear breathable layers below it. If you don't, it's not the coat's fault!

They do work when they are brand new and the water repellent surface hasn't been touched, once I wear them and stop walking with my arms outstretched they leak like seives.

The only long term waterproof coats I've ever had were made of oilskin (or waxed cotton as they call it now)

Richard53

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

A couple of people have said leave the handbrake off and leave the car in gear. Handbrake off - definitely. But if it were me I'd prefer to leave it in neutral and make sure the wheels were securely chocked ( both behind and in front of the tyres, to be doubly sure ).

Is there a reason not to leave it in gear? I'm not aware of a reason, but always open to ideas.


As for a car cover - personally I wouldn't bother. All my cars (and bikes when I had them) live outside through the Welsh winter, and I don't see any noticeable deterioration. My caravan has a waterproof and breathable cover, but that is mainly to keep it clean (caravans are a !!!!!! to clean after a while in one place) and to keep the rain off, and there is much more propensity to leak than a car. A car left in the open will be drier (averaged over time) than one under a cover, as the wind will dry it out when the rain stops.

davemorton

Its only 3 months, not 3 years! Just park it, lock it, then after 3 months, it will probably still start, if not, just give the battery a re-charge.

DigForVictory

Regarding the fuel issue, a pilot pal is a fiend for refilling to the brim before storage as it prevents condensations missing up the fuel. Don't think he's ever left any vehicle unused for over a month though. (Affectionately referred to as the madman with the spanners at the pub.)
Further plus one for don't bother with a cover but perhaps invest in a wash & thickish wax.
To discourage anyone thinking "ah ah - handy getaway/joyride vehicle", I commend removing the glass from the wing mirrors - the Ford ones clip back in pretty easily in my experience, but are a raucous MOT Fail at a 200 yard distance.
All the best with babysitting the vehicle!