Whether you’ve inherited a car, you’re heading overseas for an extended period, or you’re a car nut who’s run out of space for your toys, long term vehicle storage is a great way to save space and give you peace of mind that your car’s secure and out of the elements.
In this guide to long-term vehicle storage, we share our tried and tested advice for successfully storing your car, including how to prepare, protect, and store your vehicle safely to keep it in great condition for years to come. We also share a few top tips on recreational vehicle storage.
How to prepare for the storage of a car
There are three basic steps we recommend people take to prepare for the storage of a car, if it’ll be in storage longer than 3 months:
1. Service your car
Always ensure your car is in tip-top condition before storing it. This applies whether you’re storing the car in storage containers at home or in a self-storage facility. Visit your mechanic and have the car thoroughly serviced, making sure to let the mechanic know you’re about to place it in long-term vehicle storage. Your mechanic can give you the best advice about what’s required to keep the car in good condition, but we typically recommend:
- Replace your oil and engine fluids (e.g. coolant) with fresh products, ensuring no leaks. This is critical as old engine oil can contain contaminants that can lead to corrosion.
- Check transmission, brake, and power steering fluid levels and top them up as necessary.
- Deal with any rust patches.
- Fill the fuel tank with premium fuel (i.e., not ethanol-based) and add a stabiliser. This is crucial for preventing gum buildup and increasing the chance the car turns over easily once you remove it from storage.
2. Clean and detail your car
There’s nothing worse than opening your car after it’s been stored for a long time to find the interior has grown mould, or that rodents have found their way into your car. In the same way, cleaning gear is essential when storing camping gear in self-storage. Cleaning the interior and exterior of your car is a key step required for the storage of a car. Specifically, we recommend:
- Thoroughly wash the exterior to remove tar, bird droppings, insects, mud and dirt. If left on, these particles can cause damage to the paintwork over time. This is particularly important if you live in a coastal region where salt can find its way into the car, causing corrosion over time.
- Remove leaf litter and dust/dirt buildup from the engine bay.
- Wax the car to add an extra layer of protection from any dust the car might accumulate in storage.
- Remove all rubbish from the car’s interior, and check hard-to-reach spots like under the seats. Removing stray pieces of food that might attract rodents and insects is important.
- Vacuum the carpet and seats.
- Wipe the interior to remove any dust and residue that might have built up.
- Clean all windows and mirrors with Windex or a similar glass cleaning product.
- Remove all of your belongings from the car.
3. Fully dry the car
It’s essential to fully dry your car before placing it in long-term vehicle storage to prevent mould and mildew from developing. Clean the interior and exterior of the car a few days before putting it in storage to give it the best chance of drying out. Use a chamois to dry the vehicle as you go, and allow the interior to thoroughly air dry if you use a lot of water to clean it.
Car self storage – How to store your vehicle
Your car’s been serviced, is clean, and is ready for storage. Here are six essential tips for putting your car in self storage.
- Detach the battery – if the car will be stored for more than a 1-2 months, detach and remove the battery to preserve the battery life. This allows you to store the battery closer to you, where you can slow charge it periodically to preserve its lifespan.
- Spray your cylinders – spray engine oil/fogging oil into the car’s cylinders to reduce the risk of corrosion. This is particularly important if you’re leaving the car for several years. You can access the cylinders by removing the spark plugs.
- Use wheel stands – storing the car in one spot for an extended period risks developing flat spots on your tyres that can’t be repaired. Instead, jack the car up and place it on stands. If you’re only leaving the car for a few months, pump the tyres up to a higher PSI level than normal to compensate for the loss of pressure. Your mechanic can advise you of a safe level to use to inflate the tyres.
- Cover the car – use a breathable vehicle cover to keep dust off the car. A cloth cover is best as it will protect the vehicle without adhering to the paint and causing damage over time. Keeping the windows cracked slightly under the cover is a good idea to ensure air flow to the interior.
- Block the exhaust and air intake vents – stuff steel wool or old rags into the exhaust, and cover the air intake vents, to minimise the chance of rodents nesting in the vehicle.
- Notify your insurance company and adjust your rego – don’t forget to cancel your rego if you won’t be driving the car for an extended period! Also contact your insurance company to see how to adjust your policy to cover the car while in storage.
Self storage for vehicles – Things to keep in mind
As touched on above, there are several common pitfalls of long-term self storage for vehicles that are important to be aware of:
- Tyre pressure will drop over time, so it’s essential to store the car on blocks if it’ll be in storage for more than a few months to prevent flat spots.
- Fuel deteriorates over time. Ethanol-based fuel can gum up over time, so always fill the car with
- Your battery will eventually run flat unless the car is turned over regularly, so it’s a good idea to remove the battery.
It’s a good idea to periodically check up on your vehicle to catch any issues early.
Recreational vehicle storage – Top tips
When it comes to recreational vehicle storage for items like caravans and camper trailers, the same basic principles apply as for long-term vehicle storage: store your RV clean, dry and in good condition. Two other things to keep in mind are:
- Disconnect your electronics and battery system. Often, RVs have more complex battery systems designed to run appliances. Make sure to remove all batteries.
- Drain water systems, like water tanks and septic systems, to make sure you don’t leave residual moisture in the vehicle.
Long-term vehicle storage – Is it right for you?
Long-term vehicle storage has many benefits—your car is out of the weather, protected from theft, and it frees up space in your yard or garage. However, storing a vehicle for longer than a month or two requires a bit of careful planning so it’s good to think through whether it’s the right option for you.
Specifically, it’s good to think about how much the car is worth and whether the cost of storage, and the potential for the car to depreciate over time, make storing it worth it.
If it’s a classic car or one with sentimental value, self storage is a great option. However, if it’s an everyday run-around vehicle, it might not be worth the hassle. Depending on how long you’re going to be away, leaving the car with a friend or selling it may be a better option.
For more tips on how to pack a storage unit safely and efficiently, or to enquire about long-term vehicle storage options near you, contact our friendly Gold Coast Containers team today.
References
- Smith G (21 December 2015) ‘Best tips for putting my car into storage’, Cars Guide blog, accessed 23 May 2025.
- Koukia P (13 March 2025) ‘Long Term Car Storage: The Ultimate Guide to Storing Your Car for the Long Term’, Panda Hub blog, accessed 23 May 2025.
