How Do You Store a Car? A Complete Guide for Short & Long Term
How Do You Store a Car for Short & Long Term?
Whether you’re storing a classic car for winter or preparing a vehicle for international shipping, knowing how do you store a car correctly is essential to prevent damage and costly repairs. This guide covers best practices for general storage and the specific steps needed before shipping.
How Do You Store a Car? The Step-by-Step Process
Proper storage protects your vehicle’s mechanics, bodywork, and interior. Follow this systematic approach.
- Choose the Right Location
- Ideal: A dry, secure, and well-ventilated garage is best.
- Alternative: A dedicated, covered storage unit.
- Last Resort: If outdoors is unavoidable, use a high-quality, breathable car cover (not a plastic tarp) and park on a solid, level surface like concrete or tarmac, not grass.
- Prepare the Exterior
- Wash and dry the car thoroughly to remove dirt, sap, and bird droppings that can etch the paint.
- Apply a protective coat of wax for an extra barrier.
- Check for and treat any minor scratches to prevent rust.
- Prepare the Interior
- Remove all personal belongings.
- Give the interior a thorough vacuum and clean to prevent mould and odours.
- Use a moisture absorber (like silica gel bags) inside the cabin to combat damp.
- Leave windows slightly open a crack if in a secure garage to aid air circulation.
- Prepare the Mechanics
- Fuel Tank: Fill the tank completely to prevent internal rust from condensation. Add a fuel stabiliser for storage over 3 months.
- Battery: For long-term storage, disconnect the negative terminal or use a maintenance (trickle) charger to prevent it from going flat.
- Fluids: Check and top up all fluids (oil, coolant, brake fluid). Consider an oil change before very long storage.
- Tyres: Inflate tyres to the recommended pressure. For storage over a month, consider using tyre cradles or moving the car slightly every few weeks to prevent flat spots.
What to Consider Before Storing Your Car
Key factors that dictate your storage approach:
- Duration: A few weeks requires less preparation than 6+ months.
- Climate: Damp UK conditions require a stronger focus on moisture control (vents, absorbers). Extreme cold requires antifreeze checks.
- Vehicle Value: High-value or classic cars justify the cost of climate-controlled storage.
- Security: Ensure your storage location is secure and that your insurance policy is valid for the storage period and location.
- Pest Control: Remove any food crumbs and consider using rodent deterrents in the garage.
How Do You Store a Car Before Shipping?
The pre-shipping storage period has specific requirements that align with export preparation rules.
- Fuel Level: Unlike long-term storage, reduce fuel to ¼ tank or less. This is a mandatory safety regulation for Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) sea transport.
- Battery: Disconnect the battery to prevent drain during its weeks in transit. Ensure any alarm systems are disabled.
- Personal Belongings: The interior must be completely empty. No items can be left in the glovebox, boot, or door pockets for customs and insurance reasons.
- Cleanliness: A thorough interior clean is vital. Biosecurity laws in countries like Australia and New Zealand are strict; soil or organic matter can lead to quarantine.
- Location: Store the car in a secure, accessible location ready for our collection driver. Provide clear access instructions.
Popular Destinations We Ship To
Once your car is prepared and stored correctly for shipping, we ensure its safe transport worldwide. From our UK base, popular destinations include:
- United States & Canada
- Australia & New Zealand
- European Union (e.g., Spain, Germany, France)
- United Arab Emirates & Gulf States
- Africa
- Japan & South Korea
Each destination has specific import regulations, which we guide you through from the initial quote.
Final Checklist: Storing Your Car
- Washed, waxed, and dry exterior.
- Clean, empty, and dry interior with moisture absorber.
- Correct fuel level (full for long storage, ¼ tank for shipping).
- Battery disconnected or on a maintainer.
- Tyres inflated.
- Secure, suitable location.
- For shipping: Documents ready and personal items removed.
By understanding how do you store a car in different scenarios, you can protect your investment and ensure it’s in perfect condition for its next journey, whether that’s back on the road or across the ocean. Contact us for expert advice on pre-shipping storage and international vehicle logistics.
You may also benefit from reading:
How to Store a Classic Car Long-Term
How to Find A Best Vehicle For Selling Abroad
How to Avoid Demurrage Charges
