Leaving a car unused

What you need to do if you're not going to be using your car for a few weeks or months

Don't remove a battery lead unless you know the radio code

If you are going to leave your car unused for a while there are a few simple things you can do to make sure that it will be in good condition and ready to use when you get back. What you will need to do depends on how long the vehicle will be left.

We've broken it down to 'up to a month', 'one to three months', and 'more than three months'.

Remember that, since the introduction of Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) in 2011, your car must remain insured while not being used unless you make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).

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Don't remove a battery lead unless you know the radio code.
On-board computers can be affected by long term disconnection of the battery – check the handbook or contact the manufacturer.
Don't let plastic covers rest on the paintwork. Flapping covers can damage paintwork.
Make a note of what you've done to the vehicle and put it in the car as a reminder when you need to use the car again.
For long periods or high value cars think about using a commercial storage company.
You could simply arrange for someone to use the vehicle once or twice a month in dry weather – providing insurance, tax and MOT, etc. are in order.

One month

If you're not sure if the battery will stay charged, a 'smart charger' is a great investment. These only charge the battery when it needs it and can be left connected without risk of overcharging.

Get the anti-freeze concentration checked – particularly in Winter
Leave the handbrake off if parked off road – chock the wheels securely first
Leave windows partially open for ventilation – but only if the car's is in a secure garage
Unpainted metal parts can be sprayed with WD40 to reduce corrosion – don't spray rubber or trim

Up to three months

In addition to the 'one month' points:

Clean, and polish the car – hose under wheel arches to remove mud but make sure it's dry before putting it away
Invest in a 'smart charger' that can be left connected to the battery without risk of overcharging
If you suspect dampness, raise or remove carpets and dry thoroughly
Check that drain holes in doors, sills and bulkhead/heater are not blocked
Lift wiper arms so that the blades are clear of the glass
Consider a refund on your road tax by declaring Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). More details on the DVLA website
You may also be able to reduce your insurance cover to fire and theft only
If the car's in a garage, make sure there's plenty of ventilation

As an alternative to ventilation you could seal the garage and use a dehumidifier – cheaper and probably better than heating. (A dehumidifier will need a low-temperature shut-off though as it can't work below about 4C. Corrosion is not a problem in very cold weather, provided the car is dry and free from road salt.

More than three months

In addition to the one month and three month points:

Carry out an 'oil and filter' service
Slacken auxiliary drive belts – alternator, power steering, air conditioning, etc. Don't slacken the camshaft drive belt
Lubricate locks with a suitable lock oil
Spray under the bonnet, around the battery box, under the wings and the metal in the boot area with WD40 or similar
Lift the vehicle onto blocks or stands to raise the wheels clear of the ground and unstress the tyres
If you can, remove the wheels and store them flat in a cool dark place

Starting a car left unused for a long time

The work required to start a car that's not been used for a long time will depend to some extent on how well the car was prepared before being put into 'storage'.

Check tyre pressures
Check that nothing's nesting under the bonnet or has chewed through the pipes/hoses
Re-tighten any drive belts loosened when the car was put away
Check all fluid levels before starting – change the oil once the car's running
Stale fuel could be a problem – hopefully there's not too much in the tank so that fresh fuel can be added and can get through to the engine
Taking the plugs out first and turning the engine over is a good idea as this will reduce the load on the engine whilst the oil is redistributed
Check brake operation including the handbrake – the brakes will probably be seized on if the car's been left with the handbrake applied. Try engaging a gear and driving gently, otherwise dismantling may be necessary

Arrange a full service once the car is running again.