Car Not Driven for Weeks? Checks Before You Set Off

Written by Petro Olekhnovych, mobile mechanic in Aylesham, Kent

If your car has not been driven for weeks, check the battery, tyres, brakes, fluids and lights before you set off, and make sure the tax and MOT are still valid. Most cars wake up fine after a few weeks. A few minutes of checks can stop a flat battery, a soft tyre or a lapsed MOT turning into a problem on the road.

Battery: will it start?

A battery slowly loses charge when the car sits unused. The longer it stands, the more likely it is to struggle.

A quick test before you get in: press the unlock button on the key. If the car responds, the battery has some charge. If nothing happens, use the physical key in the driver’s door.

Then switch on the ignition and see if the dashboard lights up properly. If the engine turns over slowly but starts, it is a sign the battery is low. If it will not start at all, a jump start or a jump pack may get you going.

Some cars lose settings such as the clock or radio code after a flat battery, so you may need to reset them.

If the car will not start, or keeps going flat, the cause is not always the battery. Our guide to why a car won’t start explains how to tell a battery problem from a starter or charging fault.

Tyres: pressures and condition

Tyres can lose pressure while a car stands. Check all four, and the spare if you have one.

• Check them cold. The Highway Code advises checking pressures before a journey, when the tyres are cold, because warm tyres give a misleading reading.
• Use the right figures. Tyres must be inflated to the car maker’s specification for the load. The figures are usually on a sticker inside a front door frame, or in the handbook.
• Check the tread. For cars, the legal minimum is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.

Look for cracks, bulges or cuts in the sidewalls too. If you see any, do not drive on that tyre. Get it checked first.

Under-inflated or over-inflated tyres affect your braking and steering, so this check matters more than it looks.

Brakes: surface rust and a stiff handbrake

After a few weeks, especially in damp weather, the brake discs often get a light coat of surface rust. That is normal.

When you move off, test the brakes gently at low speed. Build up to firmer pressure gradually as you go. A few gentle stops usually clean the surface.

What is not normal:

• the car pulls to one side when you brake
• grinding or scraping that does not go away after a few stops
• a pedal that feels soft or sinks
• a brake warning light on the dashboard

If you notice any of these, stop driving and get the brakes checked. The Highway Code says to see a mechanic straight away if the car pulls to one side under braking. Our post on brake pad warning signs covers the other symptoms.

A handbrake can also stick after wet weather. Gently rocking the car between first gear (or Drive) and reverse can free it. Do not force it.

Fluids and leaks

Before you start the engine, look under the car for fresh drips or puddles. Then check the levels:

• Engine oil. Check it before starting, on level ground, using the dipstick. Top up with the correct oil if it is low.
• Coolant. Check the level in the expansion tank with the engine cold. Never open the cap on a hot engine.
• Brake fluid. Low brake fluid can lead to brake failure. If it is below the minimum mark, do not drive. Get it checked first.
• Screenwash. Easy to forget, and you will want it on a dirty Kent road.

If the red oil pressure light or a temperature warning comes on after you start, switch off and do not drive. Those warnings can mean serious engine damage if ignored.

Lights, wipers and the first drive

Walk round the car with someone helping and check every light, including brake lights and indicators. Check the wiper blades for splits and clear away leaves or debris from the windscreen.

On the first drive, keep it gentle. Leave extra space and listen for anything unusual. If you are not confident the car is safe, have a mechanic check it before you set off.

Tax, MOT and SORN: the paperwork

A car that has stood still can quietly drop out of date.

MOT. You can check when your MOT is due on GOV.UK using the number plate. Driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000. The exceptions are driving to a pre-arranged MOT test, or to or from a place where the car will be repaired. GOV.UK also runs a free MOT reminder service that sends a text or email one month before it is due.

Tax. You can check whether a car is taxed or registered as off the road (SORN) on GOV.UK.

SORN. If you registered the car as off the road, it must be kept off the public road, for example in a garage, on a drive or on private land. You cannot use it on a public road until you tax it again, except to go to or from a pre-booked MOT or other testing appointment. Using it on the road for any other reason could lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500. There is no “unSORN” process. You simply tax the car again.

Check your insurance is still in place too, especially if you changed it while the car was off the road.

Laying up a classic car for months is a different job from leaving a daily car for a few weeks. If that is your situation, see laying up a classic car for winter.

How we can help

If the car will not start, a warning light is on, or something does not feel right, we can come to you. We work as a mobile mechanic across Kent, from Aylesham to Canterbury, Dover, Deal, Sandwich, Folkestone and the villages between.

We can:

• find the cause of a no-start or warning light with fault finding, then tell you what it needs
• check and replace brake pads and discs
• change the oil and filter, or carry out an interim or full service
• do a pre-MOT check if the MOT is coming up

Labour is £30-£50 per hour depending on the job. We agree the price on WhatsApp before any work starts. Parts are extra.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for brake discs to look rusty after a few weeks?
Yes, a light surface rust is common, especially in damp weather. It usually clears after a few gentle stops. Grinding that continues, or pulling to one side, needs checking.

Can I drive a SORN car to its MOT?
Yes, but only to and from a pre-booked MOT or other testing appointment.

My car was fine before. Why won’t it start now?
A battery that sits unused slowly loses charge. A weak battery can be enough to stop a car starting, but other faults can cause the same symptom.

Should I check the tyre pressures before driving?
Yes. Check them cold, using the figures for your car, before the first drive.

Need help? Send a WhatsApp to 07563 350335 with your car’s make and model and we’ll come to you.

Sources

• GOV.UK: The Highway Code, Annex 6 vehicle maintenance, safety and security
• GOV.UK: When you need to make a SORN
• GOV.UK: DVLA busts 9 myths around SORN
• GOV.UK: Getting an MOT, penalties
• GOV.UK: Get an MOT reminder
• GOV.UK: Check MOT history
• GOV.UK: Check if a vehicle is taxed
• Parkers: car checks after it has been sitting parked