Long term car storage companies

[beanie]

I may be relocating for a few years and won’t be able to take my car so I’m looking at the possibility of leaving the Z with one of the specialist storage companies. Costs and services vary from place to place but I thought I’d ask if anyone here has any experience of them.

I’ve still got to weigh up whether it’s worth it or not-I’ve got an old mk2 golf 16v that I’ve had for nearly 16 years and I’d really like to keep that as well - unfortunately the costs per car are pretty significant at some places so perhaps one or both will have to go

 

[ronk]

Maybe rent a garage or two and pay up front?
Have you friends/relations/neighbours who could help and maybe oversee this for you?

 

[Zedtastic]

If you're near Essex, www.autoinn.co.uk

 

[beanie]

Ronk - I’d thought about a garage but I’d rather not leave it sat in an uncontrolled environment for so long. I could ‘carcoon’ it but I’d still be left wondering about security and maintenance during that time.

Zedtastic - thanks for the link. My parents are down towards Bournemouth so Essex is a bit of a trip from there. However, I should be flying back to the uk once or twice a year so it’s not too far from Gatwick for picking up and dropping off.

 

[ronk]

Ronk - I’d thought about a garage but I’d rather not leave it sat in an uncontrolled environment for so long. I could ‘carcoon’ it but I’d still be left wondering about security and maintenance during that time.

If it’s put on blocks with the tyres off the ground in a dry garage it will be fine - I would also push the brake pads back and leave the the handbrake off and leave the fuel tank full.
When you re commission the car change the engine oil and you’ll be good to go.

The security issue - would it be in a locked domestic garage?

 

[R60BBA]

https://garagequeens.co.uk

^ run by Richard Baxter, former BMW Car Club Chairman.

 

[Darkangelv2]

http://radservices.co.uk/

They don't advertise the service but do provide it and are located in Waterlooville so localish. A friend of mine stores there, it's £120 i believe and they have car covers and trickle charge etc.

Worth calling to discuss maybe.

 

[beanie]

Thanks for the recommendations guys

If it’s put on blocks with the tyres off the ground in a dry garage it will be fine - I would also push the brake pads back and leave the the handbrake off and leave the fuel tank full.
When you re commission the car change the engine oil and you’ll be good to go.

The security issue - would it be in a locked domestic garage?

If I can find somewhere local then I would consider it. Unfortunately time isn’t on my side and I can’t get to places to view them as I already live outside the uk. This is why I was immediately drawn to the company option as it takes away the hassle and worry associated with long term storage - at a price of course.

The other reason for preferring the company route is that my golf has been in a dry garage for some years now and despite all the precautions and care being taken, light rust has come back in a couple of places on the floorpan.

 

[ronk]

Thanks for the recommendations guys

If it’s put on blocks with the tyres off the ground in a dry garage it will be fine - I would also push the brake pads back and leave the the handbrake off and leave the fuel tank full.
When you re commission the car change the engine oil and you’ll be good to go.

The security issue - would it be in a locked domestic garage?

If I can find somewhere local then I would consider it. Unfortunately time isn’t on my side and I can’t get to places to view them as I already live outside the uk. This is why I was immediately drawn to the company option as it takes away the hassle and worry associated with long term storage - at a price of course.

The other reason for preferring the company route is that my golf has been in a dry garage for some years now and despite all the precautions and care being taken, light rust has come back in a couple of places on the floorpan.

I hope you can get something sorted but it sounds like you’re up against the stoppers time wise and being out of the UK doesn’t help either - do you have any friends/colleagues who could assist ?

 

[beanie]

Yeah, time is a little tight and organising it from afar just compounds the issue!

If I can find somewhere fairly close to my parents then I’ll try and rope in my brother and dad to have a look at the place. If not I’ll just have to take a chance based on reviews and gut feeling.