Leaving your car in the villa garage for months: a checklist
Going home for the winter? How to prepare a luxury car for months in a Costa del Sol garage: wash, battery, tyres, humidity and a breathable cover.
· 2 min read
Wash it before it sleeps
A car that sits for months with dirt on it keeps that dirt working on the paint. Bird droppings, insects, salt from coastal air and dust can etch clear coat when left for weeks, and a garage does not stop that.
Wash it by hand with plenty of water and a clean mitt, dry it fully, and clean the wheels and wheel arches too. Vacuum the interior and take out anything that can smell or attract pests: food, wrappers, damp towels, even air fresheners that can soften in warm weather.
Battery, fuel and tyres
A modern car keeps drawing a small current even when it is off, and a battery left alone for months will often be flat on your return. A battery maintainer (also called a trickle charger) connected to a socket in the garage is the usual answer. Check your handbook, because some cars have specific advice for long-term storage.
Many owners fill the tank before leaving so there is less empty space for condensation. For the tyres, a slightly higher pressure than normal helps avoid flat spots, and if the car will stand for a very long time, ask your garage or manufacturer what they recommend. Avoid leaving the handbrake on for months on some cars; chocks under the wheels are a safe alternative.
Humidity is the quiet enemy
On the Costa del Sol, winter air is damp, and a closed garage can hold that moisture around leather, carpets and rubber seals. Musty smells and mould spots on seats are common in cars left shut up for the season.
Ventilate the garage if you can, and consider a dehumidifier or moisture absorbers inside the car and in the garage. Keeping the interior dry and the floor mats uncovered matters more than any product you spray.
Cover, pests and someone to check in
If you use a cover, choose a breathable one made for indoor storage. Plastic sheeting traps moisture against the paint. Gaps around the garage where rodents could enter are worth closing, since wiring can attract them.
Insurance and road-tax paperwork is yours to check with your insurer before you leave, as terms for vehicles that are not in use can differ. Most of all, have someone look in every few weeks: a quick visit to open the garage, check for leaks and start the car if the manufacturer advises it.
How Lavanda can help
Our mobile car care team can give your car a careful hand wash and interior clean at your villa before you travel, and the same again before you return, so it is ready the day you land.
If you are also closing up the house, we can plan the home and the car in one visit.
