Cars, vans, caravans and any and all vehicles are expensive. If you buy second-hand, you are still looking at a hefty price tag for the car itself and for the insurance and tax. It is very important that your vehicles are kept in a safe, secure fashion.

Within this article we are going to talk about the importance of storage for vehicles, guiding you through the things to look out for and the things you need to do before storing your vehicle. 

So, let’s begin!

Why Consider Self Storage for Your Vehicle?

There are many reasons for considering using storage for vehicles with one of the main reasons being that you will know that your vehicle is safe from damage or theft. This is even more important if you are lacking in a decent parking space at your home. 

Storage for vehicles will also protect your vehicle from weather and environmental factors. This type of seasonal storage is important if you have a convertible. You will not be whizzing around in it in the middle of winter so during the cold winter months, you could place it into storage. You will know that it is fully protected, ready for when spring and summer arrive. 

Another reason for considering storage for vehicles is if you have any long-term travel plans. Even if you have a garage or driveway, you will not want to leave your car there whilst you are away. It could very easily be stolen. Placing it in storage will give you peace of mind that it is being kept safe whilst you are away. 

Types of Vehicle Storage Options

Indoor Vehicle Storage

Indoor vehicle storage comes with the benefit that your car is not only in a secure unit but it is also within a secure building.

A drawback could be that, depending on which storage facility you pick, your access could be limited as some self storage companies do only open the typical 9-5 hours. Within some of our stores, we do have extended opening hours of 6am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday. Please check our website to see if your local store has these extended hours. 

Outdoor Vehicle Storage

The benefit of outdoor vehicle storage is that you are more likely to have convenient access. Also, it will be much easier to store your vehicle and remove your vehicle from the unit when you want to.

A slight drawback is that it is outside so there isn’t that extra layer of protection. However, all professional self storage companies will have high-quality security systems. It is just about picking the right self storage facility which brings us nicely to the next section. 

Choosing the Right Self Storage Facility

When it comes to choosing the right self storage facility, it is important that you consider these factors:

• What security do they have in place?

  You will want to find a secure self storage facility that has advanced security features such as CCTV surveillance, secure access and alarm systems. Within our stores we have 24/7 CCTV surveillance around each of our facilities. We have pin-code access systems and each of our storage units is fitted with an intruder alarm, a smoke detector and a fire detector.

• Where is the facility located?

  You do not want your vehicles to be stored far away from your home as this will hinder your ability to access it easily and conveniently. Make sure that you pick a storage facility that is easy for you to get to.

• What are the access hours?

If you know that you will need your car from a certain time or to a certain time, you will need to find a storage facility that has the right access hours for you. Some of your stores do offer extended opening hours. Please check our website to see which stores or have a chat with our team on LiveChat. 

• Do they offer flexible rental contracts?

  Flexible rental contracts are very important when it comes to storage for vehicles. Or for any storage, really! Flexible rental contracts allow you to upgrade, downgrade or leave your unit early without any hassle or fees. With all our storage we only offer flexible rental agreements. If you are wanting to leave your unit before your rental contract expires, we just need 14 days notice.

• What is the reputation of the self storage facility? 

Seeing what other people have to say about the company is an excellent way to see who is right to choose for your vehicle storage. It is also a good way to see how they handle any bad reviews or customer issues. You will get to see how good their customer service is. 

We are extremely happy to say that we have nearly 1000 reviews on Trustpilot and 96% of them are 5* reviews. 

These are all factors you should consider before signing on the dotted line for storage for vehicles. 

Understanding Self Storage Costs

Another important factor is the cost of the storage for vehicles. You need to think about what size unit you need. The price of units increases with size so it is important to get the size right. If you aren’t sure, give the self storage company a call and they will help you to find your perfect unit. Our teams are brilliant at this and you will always get a unit with no wasted space. 

Self storage companies don’t often show all their prices so you will have to call or ask for a quote via their websites. 

Preparing Your Vehicle for Storage

It is very important that you prepare your vehicle for storage before you actually store it. Here we will take you through some of the most important things to do. 

Maintenance Before Storage

In order to prepare your vehicle for storage, you must first give it a thorough clean in order to prevent mould, mildew, and odours. 

Next, you should change the oil and filter to ensure that the engine is protected during storage, particularly if you are leaving it for an extended period of time.

Consider removing the battery and storing it separately in a cool, dry place to prevent it from draining or freezing. 

Protecting Your Vehicle

Firstly, you should place a moisture absorber, such as a desiccant or a silica gel packet, in the vehicle to prevent moisture buildup and corrosion. 

To protect your vehicle you should cover it with a breathable vehicle cover as this will protect the paint and prevent dust and debris from accumulating on its surface. You should also inflate the tyres to the correct pressure and cover them to prevent flat spots.

Legal and Insurance Considerations

No matter how safe and secure a storage unit is, nobody can foresee a flood or a fire happening so it is important to consider insurance for your storage for vehicles. Most household insurance does not cover self storage so you must speak with the self storage company you choose. 

We offer storage insurance to our customers which covers you for flood, fire, water leakage, lighting, explosion, theft by forcible entry amongst other things. This will give you further peace of mind that your vehicle is protected. 

Tips for Long-Term Vehicle Storage

If you plan on storing your vehicle for a long-term period, you will want to do regular maintenance checks. 

If you are storing it for a long period of time because you are going travelling, you may want to permit someone else to access your unit in order to do these checks. You will need to let us know that this person is authorised to enter your unit and you will be responsible for giving them access codes and padlock keys. 

The Benefits of Vehicle Storage

There are many benefits to using storage for vehicles. It will give you a safe and secure place to store your vehicle, no matter your reason for needing it to be stored. 

If you would like to know more about our storage for vehicles, please click here to find your local store.