Where to start!?

Something-Wkd

Right, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I left the country in October for a job overseas. It was a really rush job as they needed me asap. Didn't have time to try to sell my car so it's just sitting at my parents house.

I'm coming home for holidays for a month in the summer and would you know, like to drive my car The problem is this - EVERYTHING ran out when I was out of the country.

NCT - March
Tax + Insurance - April

All of my papers are at home. Where do I start trying to get it ready for me when I'm home?! I know that I can get a cert to declare that it was off the road for the tax but don't I need the NCT before I do that? Even so, no insurance or NCT for anyone to drive it!!

Also, I'd only need insurance for a short while - has anyone ever got it for 3 months? Or even 6?

Thanks in advance!!

robbie_998

I may be wrong but i think its insurance first, then tax then NCT... carry the NCT Letter in the car with you to say you have booked the test for the car if you ever get stopped by the garda.

a lot of companies do temporary cover.. just ask over the phone.

Also before you drive away in your car depending how long you left it at your parents house maybe check the tires for bald spots where the car was sitting.

Henry Ford III

1/. Arrange ins. for a year. Pay monthly. Cancel and return cert. and disc. whenever you wish.

2/. Tax. statutory off road decl. Get signature witnesses and tax as normal - min. 3 months.

3/. Apply for an NCT appointment. Keep printout in the car.

That should see you ok short term.

pa990

generally, u can only insure for 12months.
But u can cancel it after 3 months, and get a rebate (less admin fee) from your insurance company / broker

kazul

robbie_998 wrote: »

maybe check the tires for bald spots where the car was sitting.

How would the tyres go bald if the car was sitting still, did they re-write the laws of physics when I wasn't looking?

robbie_998

kazul wrote: »

How would the tyres go bald if the car was sitting still, did they re-write the laws of physics when I wasn't looking?

:rolleyes::pac:






They come out with flat spots from sitting on a hard ground for soo long.

the car does weigh a bit you know.......

Atomic Pineapple

kazul wrote: »

How would the tyres go bald if the car was sitting still, did they re-write the laws of physics when I wasn't looking?

I change them every few weeks, you really should try to keep up

kazul

robbie_998 wrote: »

They come out with flat spots from sitting on a hard ground for soo long.

the car does weigh a bit you know.......

And the weight wears away the rubber? Or cars are so heavy that they compress the treads over time?

TestTransmission

I'd be changing the oil

robbie_998

kazul wrote: »

And the weight wears away the rubber? Or cars are so heavy that they compress the treads over time?

Someone please get me a piece of chalk.........

The AA are here to help.

Laying up your car
What to do before leaving a car unused for a long time
The preparation required before you put a car into storage depends to some exent on how long the vehicle will be left. Below are our recommendations for storing a car for one month, from one to three months, and for more than three months.

Read the general advice, and then see the specific items corresponding to the period for which you will be leaving your car.

General advice
Check the code of any coded radio before removing a battery lead. You must also find out if any on-board computer will be affected by having the battery disconnected for a long period of time. Refer to the vehicle owner's handbook or contact the manufacturer.
If you're covering the vehicle, don't allow plastic or any other moisture/condensation-inducing material to rest on the paintwork. If outside, be careful to avoid paint damage due to flapping covers.
Note exactly what you've done to the vehicle and put it in the car – perhaps tied to the steering wheel – so that when the car comes out of storage, everything can be returned to how it should be, either by you or anybody else.
There are commercial companies who will undertake storage and looking after your vehicle. This may be an option, though it might prove expensive.
If covering the recommended points below is impractical, you could arrange for someone to use the vehicle once or twice a month in dry weather, providing insurance, tax and MoT, etc, are current. This will help keep the engine and other systems functional.
Take care when restarting after a long period. The battery must be fully charged and all the fluid levels checked. Try the brakes, and check that the handbrake and clutch are free. It may be best to arrange a full service of the car, including changing the brake fluid.
One month
If you're storing your car for up to one month, we recommend the following:

Make sure the cooling system contains a good quality, glycol based anti-freeze at a concentration of 30% to 50%.
Renew the anti-freeze if it's over one year old. (This doesn't apply if the engine contains one of the modern long-life antifreeze solutions – OAT coolant.)
Leave the handbrake in the off position, making sure the vehicle wheels are securely chocked.
If the vehicle is in a secure garage, leave the windows partly lowered.
Ensure the drain holes in the doors, sills and bulkhead/heater are not blocked.
Unpainted metal parts (not rubber or trim etc) can be sprayed with a water dispersant such as WD40 to reduce corrosion.
Up to three months
If storing a car for up to three months we recommend the following in addition to the one month items above.

Hose under the wheel arches to remove accumulated mud. Wash the vehicle then polish, apply a chrome protective polish where appropriate. Let the car dry thoroughly before putting it away.
Remove the battery. Be sure to check the code of any coded radio before removing a battery lead, and find out if any on-board computer will be affected by having the battery disconnected for a long period of time. Refer to the vehicle owner's handbook.
Clean the battery terminals, top up if required (if it's not a sealed-for-life battery) and arrange for it to be slow/trickle-charged about every four to six weeks. Don't leave it where it may freeze. Some special chargers can be left on all the time.
Raise or remove the carpets if you suspect dampness, and dry thoroughly.
Make sure the wiper blades are not in contact with the front or rear screens.
Empty the windscreen washer bottle.
If the vehicle is not to be parked on the public highway you should consider getting a refund on your road tax by declaring Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) on the refund application form. You can read more details on the DVLA website.You may also be able to reduce your insurance cover to fire and theft only.
If the car is in a garage, make sure that there's plenty of ventilation – gaps under the doors and a high-level air vent – to promote circulation.
An alternative is to use a dehumidifier, in which case the garage should be sealed as far as possible. Dehumidifying is cheaper and probably better than heating a garage, though a dehumidifier will need a low-temperature shut-off thermostat as it can't work below about 4C. Corrosion is not a problem in very cold weather, provided the car is dry and free from road salt.
More than three months
If storing a car for more than three months we recommend the following, as well as all of the above 'one' and 'three' month items.

Carry out a complete lubrication service, including oil filter.
Slacken the auxiliary drive belts, ie alternator, power steering, air conditioning, etc. Note: don't slacken the camshaft drive belt.
Lubricate locks with a suitable lock oil. Spray under the bonnet, around the battery box, under the wings and the metal in the boot area with a water dispersant.
Place the vehicle on blocks or stands (to raise the wheels clear of the ground and unstress the tyres). If you can, remove the wheels and store them flat in a cool dark place. Don't leave a vehicle resting on a hydraulic jack, as it will slowly creep down.
Starting a car left unused for a long time
The work required to start a car that's not been used for a long time will depend to some extent on how well the car was prepared before being put into 'storage'.

Check tyre pressures
Check that nothing's nesting under the bonnet or has chewed through the pipes/hoses
If any auxiliary drive belts were loosened when the car was put into storage then these must of course be re-tightened before the car is run
Check all fluid levels before starting – oil should be changed once the car's running
Stale fuel could be a problem – hopefully there's not too much in the tank so that fresh fuel can be added and can get through to the engine
Taking the plugs out first and turning the engine over is a good idea as this will reduce the load on the engine whilst the oil is redistributed
It's also important to check brake operation including the handbrake – if the car's been left with the handbrake applied then there's every chance that the brakes will have seized on. It may be possible to free them by engaging a gear and driving gently otherwise dismantling may be necessary.

It's good practice to arrange a full service once the car is running again.

Regarding the mot – the only circumstance in which a car may be driven on the highway without an mot is if it is being driven by prior arrangement to a garage for an mot to be conducted.

If you require a garage to undertake any work prior to arranging the mot then the car should be moved only by truck or trailer.

Any good to you ?

fonecrusher1

kazul wrote: »

And the weight wears away the rubber? Or cars are so heavy that they compress the treads over time?

If a car is sitting in the same spot for months the tyres deform a little bit in the tyre/ground contact zone.

Magenta

OP:

1. Apply for NCT, print a copy of your booking confirmation
2. Get insured (some insurers will want a copy of the NCT booking letter so that's why you get NCT booked first).
3. Go to Guards and get car declared as off-the-road, send this form to Tax office with your credit card/Laser details.

kazul

robbie_998 wrote: »

Someone please get me a piece of chalk.........

The AA are here to help.



Any good to you ?

Will the chalk stop the tyre wear on an immobile car?

AA advice not much help in explaining the tyre wear, sorry.

robbie_998

kazul wrote: »

Will the chalk stop the tyre wear on an immobile car?

AA advice not much help in explaining the tyre wear, sorry.

please tell me your not serious.

Place the vehicle on blocks or stands (to raise the wheels clear of the ground and unstress the tyres). If you can, remove the wheels and store them flat in a cool dark place.

Do you look after your own car ?

kazul

I was playing the devil's advocate as you gave bad advice IMHO.
I've gotten mine through 2 NCTS having done most of the work myself. I'm a former tyre and exhaust fitter and also a former used car salesman, so I like to think I know a thing or 2 about cars.
The tyres may deform if the car is left parked for a long time but there isn't a hope in hell that bald patches would appear without friction, think about it.

robbie_998

kazul wrote: »

I was playing the devil's advocate as you gave bad advice IMHO.
I've gotten mine through 2 NCTS having done most of the work myself. I'm a former tyre and exhaust fitter and also a former used car salesman, so I like to think I know a thing or 2 about cars.
The tyres may deform if the car is left parked for a long time but there isn't a hope in hell that bald patches would appear without friction, think about it.

Only one bald patch from where the tyre was in contact with the ground.

even though its not a bald patch it still appears worn.

very similar.

oh wait.... you already knew that :rolleyes:

TestTransmission

robbie_998 wrote: »

Do you look after your own car ?

Do you?

robbie_998

TestTransmission wrote: »

Do you?

Yes. I've worked in a garage before too.

anything else ?

TestTransmission

robbie_998 wrote: »

Yes. I've worked in a garage before too.

anything else ?

really?Can you tell me the name of the garage so I never go there

Magenta

robbie_998 wrote: »

Do you look after your own car ?

TestTransmission wrote: »

Do you?

robbie_998 wrote: »

Yes. I've worked in a garage before too.

anything else ?

TestTransmission wrote: »

really?Can you tell me the name of the garage so I never go there

Don't be afraid to use your nails, girls.

TestTransmission

Magenta wrote: »

Don't be afraid to use your nails, girls.

The guy is a troll,doesn't even own a car.

fonecrusher1

TestTransmission wrote: »

The guy is a troll,doesn't even own a car.

How do you know?

robbie_998

TestTransmission wrote: »

The guy is a troll,doesn't even own a car.

no i'm not... everything i say is true... I have a full license, i drive, i look after the car, i worked for a garage before

Who are you to tell otherwise about what i did and did not do ?

Something-Wkd

Right, what I think I'll do is

1. Get a mate to book it in for NCT - I rem needing it for Insurance or Tax last time

2. Get it insured for a year - I'll be back at Xmas so would be handy to have it all sorted

3. Get it declared as off the road since Oct (even tho it was taxed up to April) and then get it taxed for 6 months.

On the getting it declared off the road - can I get someone to do that for me or will I have to go in myself when I'm back? I'm sure the cops will need a signature on something...

As for the tyres being bald etc...I doubt it but they may be a bit weird (yes...I'm sure that's a perfectly acceptable term!).

One more question - got for the NCT - let it fail if it does and then fix the problems or get it to a garage first?

Cheers

Max Power1

Something-Wkd wrote: »

One more question - got for the NCT - let it fail if it does and then fix the problems or get it to a garage first?

Cheers

definitely put it through first. Then you know what needs fixing (if anything) and you arent replacing un-necessary parts.

robtri

kazul wrote: »

I was playing the devil's advocate as you gave bad advice IMHO.
I've gotten mine through 2 NCTS having done most of the work myself. I'm a former tyre and exhaust fitter and also a former used car salesman, so I like to think I know a thing or 2 about cars.
The tyres may deform if the car is left parked for a long time but there isn't a hope in hell that bald patches would appear without friction, think about it.

i was all about to believe you till you uttered those words "Used car saleman" .......

Something-Wkd

Right so, I'll put it through the NCT first and hope there isn't too much to fix!!

Thanks for all of the advice!!

dylbert

You don't need the NCT to tax a car anymore, some insurance conpanies are looking for it though, I now Quinn are.