Ill have to declare my car "Off The Road"...

SexyBetty · 25 Apr 2006 at 08:57

... for at least a year, so is there anything I can do to make sure it doesnt just disintegrate over time? Like starting it up once a week?

Any more suggestions?

F355 · 25 Apr 2006 at 09:12

What car is it?

It is probably best to sell it and buy another one in a year. Just think of the depreciation and problems that you might have due to it being unroadworthy for a year.

SexyBetty · 25 Apr 2006 at 09:42

K reg Golf CL

Its not worth much, but if selling it is for the best, then Ill have to get it up to scratch before then, thanks for the advice

ci_newman · 25 Apr 2006 at 09:46

Is there any special reason to take it off the road for a year?

Its probably worth working out how much you could get resale and how much it'd cost you to buy again... If you think it should fly through an MOT in a years time... keep it!

Sputnik II · 25 Apr 2006 at 09:47

F355 said:
It is probably best to sell it and buy another one in a year. Just think of the depreciation and problems that you might have due to it being unroadworthy for a year.

depends on the age of the car really doesn't it. If its a couple of years old and worth several thousand pounds then selling is the way to go but, If its an old car in extremely good condition then it's better to lay it up for a year or so.

Sputnik II · 25 Apr 2006 at 09:55

SexyBetty said:
K reg Golf CL

Its not worth much, but if selling it is for the best, then Ill have to get it up to scratch before then, thanks for the advice

If thats the car I'd personally just lay it up for a year or so. It's not worth bundles so your not going to have a huge depreciation on it. Have you got a garage where you can store it? or a driveway etc.
When not using a car for a long time its best to do a bit of work on it before you park it up. Change the oil, change or drain the coolant, if possible put it on axle stands so you don't get flat spots on the tyres, leave it with the handbrake off so brakes dont seize on, turn the engine over occassionally as well as pressing the clutch a few times each month. All these things should mean that putting it back on the road is easier to do.

SexyBetty · 25 Apr 2006 at 10:22

The reason Im doing it is because the OH has just got a company car, so I was going to use his, and it would only be for a year because he only has a years contract

Phantom · 25 Apr 2006 at 10:27

are you allowed to do that?
i was under the impression that only employees with company were the only people to drive the cars given to them by the company and not anyone else (i.e. family, partners etc). How does the insurance work? does he insure it himself or does the company?

kitten_caboodle · 25 Apr 2006 at 10:28

my company car (insurance paid by the company) covered anyone i gave permission to drive it

Just had to fax a copy of their licence over to the office, or if that wasn't avaialble, give the licence number so they could check out with the DVLA that they were eligible to drive.

F355 · 25 Apr 2006 at 10:33

I think she is saying she would use the car he has now.

I would still sell it. You will only regret it if the price of VW Golfs shoot up in value and that isn't likely

ci_newman · 25 Apr 2006 at 10:53

Pah, Ian you dont make any sense sometimes!

I mean, having a lovely car like your alfa and not using it to save money

If you have the space to keep the car, and it isnt going to cost anything to maintain / store for a year, go for it! If its going to get in the way and be a right pain in the bum, sell sell!

Dr Who · 25 Apr 2006 at 11:22

Phantom said:
are you allowed to do that?
i was under the impression that only employees with company were the only people to drive the cars given to them by the company and not anyone else (i.e. family, partners etc). How does the insurance work? does he insure it himself or does the company?

Thats rare nowadays, mine was insured for anyone I gave permission to

SexyBetty · 25 Apr 2006 at 11:49

Sorry I didnt explain that well, he has a new car, so Im having his old one

I can still drive his company car though

The_Dark_Side · 25 Apr 2006 at 12:04

SexyBetty said:
Sorry I didnt explain that well, he has a new car, so Im having his old one

I can still drive his company car though

won't he simply get another company car at the end of the years contract?

agw_01 · 25 Apr 2006 at 12:05

Do you have a garage where you can keep the car?

If so, wash it thoroughly first. Dry it properly, especially areas like door seals and wheel arches and then cover it with a plastic car cover.

You don't really have to start it once a week, but maybe once a month. Let it get up to its proper temp to get rid of any moisture in the engine.

Change the oil at least once while it's stood... especially the stuff that's already in there. You don't want it turning into horrible thick tar... that won't help the engine at all.

SexyBetty · 25 Apr 2006 at 12:15

The_Dark_Side said:
won't he simply get another company car at the end of the years contract?

Long story, but no. Probably not

And thanks agw_01. Yes we do have a garage.

Ill take everything on board

F355 · 25 Apr 2006 at 12:19

ci_newman said:
Pah, Ian you dont make any sense sometimes!

I mean, having a lovely car like your alfa and not using it to save money

If you have the space to keep the car, and it isnt going to cost anything to maintain / store for a year, go for it! If its going to get in the way and be a right pain in the bum, sell sell!

but that is just for one month and it is saving me a fair amount of cash.

I am just trying to save Miss SexyBetty some money

You also need to think that in a year if you want a new car you don't have to MOT, Tax and insure a car just to sell it.

monkeyspank · 25 Apr 2006 at 13:09

Don't put the handbrake on if possible. You don't want it to sieze up.

MNuTz · 25 Apr 2006 at 13:09

my mk3 golf has been sitting outside now for nearly a year due to a knackered gearbox and other than the brake discs getting a little rusty and a flat battery theres nothing wrong with it.

I havent touched it in all that time either, charged the battery and it started first time.

Muncher · 25 Apr 2006 at 15:21

Sell it.

There's no point at all keeping it on your hands just to rust and potentially have issues when you come to use it again.