The head of the used car sales company “Longo LT,” Paulius Valiukėnas, says that a car is not an object that can simply be parked and expected to be found in the same condition after several years.
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“Engine, transmission, or chassis parts do not wear out as much when stationary as they do when driving, but some processes occur regardless. Rubber ages, the battery discharges, brake corrosion can begin, and the properties of some fluids and fuels change. Therefore, a car that has not been driven for a long time is not necessarily in better condition than one that has been regularly used and properly maintained,” says P. Valiukėnas.
What suffers when a car is parked?
One of the most sensitive parts is the battery. Even in a modern car that is turned off, electrical energy is used by the alarm system, control units, and other systems. A battery left discharged for a long time can lose part of its capacity.
Parking also affects the brakes. Small surface corrosion on the discs usually cleans off while driving, but after a longer time it can be more severe, and brake pads or parking brake mechanisms can stick.
“Tires also do not fare well standing in one position for months – they can deform. Moreover, rubber ages over time and due to environmental effects regardless of tread remaining. Fluids should not be forgotten either: for example, brake fluid absorbs moisture, so its replacement time depends not only on kilometers driven,” explains the expert.
Starting the car for a few minutes is not a solution
Sometimes it is thought that occasionally starting the engine and letting it run for a few minutes is enough for a car that is not used for a long time. However, according to P. Valiukėnas, such “warming up” of the car does not bring much benefit.
“Short engine operation in place does not help the brakes, tires, transmission, or chassis, and the battery may not even have time to recover the energy used to start the engine. If the car is to be moved periodically, it is better to drive it normally so that the engine and other systems reach operating temperature and the brakes are used,” says P. Valiukėnas.
If the car will not be used for several months or longer, proper preparation is more important: maintaining battery charge and tire pressure, and proper storage location.
Garage and outdoor parking are not the same
The condition of the car is greatly influenced by where it spent its unused time. A dry, ventilated garage and parking outside on a damp surface create completely different conditions for the car.
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“Moisture promotes corrosion of metal parts and brakes, and outdoors precipitation, temperature fluctuations, and sun also affect the car. Signs of improper storage conditions can include heavily rusted brake discs, corrosion on chassis or exhaust system parts, cracked rubber, oxidation in electrical connectors, or moisture marks in the interior. However, one sign alone should not be used to conclude that the car was stored improperly for a long time,” notes the expert.
Problems may only appear on the road
It is not enough to visually assess a car that has been parked for a long time. Some defects may only appear when the car is regularly used again.
“When driving starts, vibration may occur due to deformed tires, brake pulsation or unusual noises, brake calipers may stick. When systems start operating regularly again, hardened gaskets or seals may leak. If the car was parked with old fuel, starting may be harder or the engine may run unevenly,” lists P. Valiukėnas.
Therefore, when inspecting such a car, not only its appearance but also service history and a full test drive are important. According to the expert, it is worth finding out how long the car was unused, where it was parked during that time, and how it was maintained.
“Greater suspicion should arise not from the fact that the car was parked, but from a situation where the seller cannot explain why it was not used, where it was stored, and what maintenance was done during that time,” emphasizes P. Valiukėnas.
When is a long “rest” not a problem?
A car that has not been driven for a long time is not necessarily a bad choice. If it was properly stored and maintained, has a clear history, and its technical condition has been checked, less mechanical wear can be an advantage.
“Low mileage itself is not a quality certificate. A ten-year-old car can have ten-year-old tires, an old battery, unchanged fluids, or problems caused by parking. Much more is revealed by the car’s history, maintenance, storage conditions, and actual technical condition. A well-maintained and regularly used car can be a better purchase than one forgotten in a parking lot for years,” summarizes P. Valiukėnas.
