Do you leave the car parked for long periods? Be very careful with certain components and don't forget the MOT (ITV)

It’s not the most common situation, but sometimes, for personal or even financial reasons, we may find ourselves having to park our vehicles for an extended period of time, or it may be that we have the luxury of owning that “pleasure car” that we use on special occasions. Just because it’s parked doesn’t mean we’re saving money; on the contrary, sometimes when we start it up again it can turn into a headache.

Obviously, a vehicle parked for a long time on the street is at greater risk of suffering the effects of the weather, both in its bodywork and its mechanics, compared with a vehicle parked in a garage, although neither is exempt from needing a tune-up or mechanical inspection when, after this forced rest, we have to drive them again.

There are several tips you should follow when getting your vehicle back on the road after it has been parked for quite some time. We are going to go through them in detail and, if any of them isn’t met and compromises your safety, go to your nearest or trusted workshop:

• Check the condition of the paintwork and bodywork: Most of the time we don’t have a cover to protect our vehicle, so ideally you should give it a good clean to prevent dirt from becoming embedded in the paint. Also, check the underbody and joints for signs of corrosion, which can spread and cause damage that is sometimes very expensive or difficult to repair.
• Check the various fluid levels: Before starting, open the bonnet and check the coolant, brake fluid and oil levels. Also, depending on how long it has been parked, you may need to change the oil and the filter, including the air filter, since some animals may use it as a shelter and damage it.

• Start the engine: You may not be able to, because if it has been parked for a long time the battery is likely to be flat if you didn’t disconnect it beforehand. Depending on your situation and circumstances, if this happens you can use a charger to recover it or at least jump-start it with jump leads, but be careful: depending on the battery type and the age of your car, it may need to be taken directly to a workshop to be started. If your car is a hybrid, be very careful about letting the battery discharge, as some systems can be damaged after a long period without power.

• Pay attention to the wheels and brakes: If you are going to leave your car parked for long periods, it is advisable to inflate the tyres to the maximum pressure recommended by the manufacturer, since they will gradually lose pressure, which can cause their structure to deform and become irreversibly damaged. While you’re at it, take a look at the brake discs and pads too.
• Watch out for leaks: Now the car is running, we have checked the tyres and brakes, and the engine is gradually warming up. Go back to the bonnet and make sure everything is working normally and there are no suspicious noises. The various hoses and connectors will also heat up and expand, so you can check whether any fluid is leaking.

• Open the glovebox and check the documents: You may be wondering why you should do this, and the answer is very simple: if the car has been parked for a long time you may have forgotten that your MOT (ITV) has expired, and if you are caught driving without a valid one, you are committing a serious offence punishable by fines ranging from €200 to €500. And note: this is very important, especially if your car is parked on the public road. Regardless of how long it has been parked, this does not exempt you from the obligation to have a valid MOT (ITV) and you can be fined if you fail to comply.