With the population stuck at home for an indefinite duration, a lot of people are getting worried about their car. When you are used to driving every day to work and back, your vehicle typically stays on the drive overnight or over the weekend. But what happens to the vehicle when you leave it for weeks on the drive without moving it?

Needless to say, your car requires maintenance and regular care to survive the lockdown. As a result, it’s essential to understand not only what you can do to look after it, but also what you are allowed to do. Indeed, the latest government advice can be confusing. Here is a brief overview of the dos and don’ts when it comes to taking care of your car in quarantine.

 

As many households are now working from home or unable to work, cars are left parked on the drives. However, as you are likely to need your vehicle for essential trips, it is crucial to understand how to keep it safe with an extended MOT and how to reduce repair and insurance costs during the quarantine.

 

 

Is servicing and MOT allowed?

The MOT period has been extended for every vehicle’s MOT due on 30 March 2020 or after. In other words, if your car’s MOT expires on 14 April 2020, you have received a six-month extension, meaning that it is now due on 14 October 2020. Therefore, your car insurer can also carry on as usual without any further MOT checks for the time being. Additionally, you will not get fined for the delay, as the DVSA automatically adds the extension to every MOT expiry date.

However, you can still be fined if your car is not road-safe or road-worthy. In other words, while you don’t need to book an MOT appointment, you still need to make sure your vehicle is safe to drive. A lot of MOT stations will close for the foreseeable future, but garages are staying open. Therefore, it’s a good idea to book a check-up at your local specialist. A Land Rover Servicing appointment, for instance, could be a good idea to maintain your Rover on the road. Keeping up with oil checks, minor repairs, and tyre changes are detrimental to the maintenance of your vehicle.

 

Do I need to insure my car?

If we’re all staying at home, do you really need to insure your car? The answer is yes. Ultimately, you are going to need your car to get to the shops and for necessary trips, such as managing grocery shopping for elderly relatives or taking the dog to the vet. In other words, because your vehicle is likely to still be in use, you will need to insure it. However, you can cut down on insurance costs by comparing different quotes and reducing your mileage.

If you can’t get the vehicle fixed and safe for driving, you may have to declare it SWORN until garages can receive the parts you need. Unfortunately, car parts are becoming hard to find as manufacturers are shutting down during the quarantine.

 

Can I drive?

You can still drive around as long as you limit yourself to necessary trips. Additionally, you should familiarise yourself with the regular checks you’ll need to perform on your car. Tyre pressure, oil level and brakes are the most important things you need to look after when the car is left unused and standing for an extended period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This post is a collaboration.