The subject says it. I might need to go to the continent for about three months and wonder what state to expect my Fabia (04, 1.2) to be in when I get back. Last time the rear breaks rusted up, but a kind RAC man hit them with a hammer until they were no longer jammed. Another time the front brakes jammed but thankfully gave way before the clutch, and the grinding noise then disappeared after about 10 miles :-)

This time I will park in a garage, and not apply the handbrake. However, it will be for about three times as long as usual. Any advice on what to do beforehand and/or avoid would be most welcome, as would an estimate of whatever likely repair bill might be likely.

Alternatively, can anyone recommend an insurance company that would cover me in the EU? My "fully comp" UK policy will only cover the first 30 days, and the company will not sell additional cover at any price. The alternatives that would cover 90 days were too expensive (800 vs 250 for the year). Perhaps they charge extra because my car is LHD ;-)

Many thanks in advance.

Edited 27 June, 201016 yr by jeremiah

If it were me, i'd chock the wheels, leave the handbrake off, and DO NOT leave it in gear. I'd lock the car with the bonnet open and disconnect the battery, leaving the bonnet unlocked but in a locked garage while you were away. Of course, if you can find someone you trust, just get them to pop around once a week, turn the car over and roll it backwards and forwards a few feet...

-Duggie.

If it were me, i'd chock the wheels, leave the handbrake off, and DO NOT leave it in gear. I'd lock the car with the bonnet open and disconnect the battery, leaving the bonnet unlocked but in a locked garage while you were away. Of course, if you can find someone you trust, just get them to pop around once a week, turn the car over and roll it backwards and forwards a few feet...

Thanks for the reply. Can you please tell me what is the rationale for not leaving the car in gear? The garage is actually an underground carpark, so I am reluctant to put bricks in front of the tyres in case some chav should sneak in when the security are not looking, and get an idea ...

The AA will cover you for up to 90 days in Europe. Duggie's advice sounds good. In an ideal world you would stand it on axle stands and take the wheels off, drain the oil from the engine and gearbox and put storage oil in.

My rally cars quite often don't move for 6-9 months and the company that does my prep basically disassembles them and racks them up in a store.

The subject says it. I might need to go to the continent for about three months and wonder what state to expect my Fabia (04, 1.2) to be in when I get back.

Just in case this useful to someone: the car started fine after three months in the garage, the brakes worked fine (though there was noise for the first few miles as the rust was being scraped off), and it has been fine since.