Hi folks, just about to register my 1999 octavia estate as sorn as can't afford to insure it ATM, and finding it difficult to sell (insurance around 3 times more than similar model fords & other brands - no explanation so far). Is a cover enough to protect motor from the elements of a car stored on a driveway long term, or is a cover even necessary?

I am finding this (it seems) recent expression of problems insuring Octavias cost wise very strange. It is most peculiar. I managed to insure my VRS for less than my Toledo V5 that was less powerful only a couple of years ago.

Anyway, a cover will help, as will some good polish and paint protection (autosmart, carnauba wax, meguiars, auto glym etc), which will also make it easier to give it a quick wash and keep it looking fresh. Blacken up the plastics and rubbers too especially around the windows to try and keep the moss and degradation away. Cover would probably help most with the latter issue.

Edited 6 April, 201610 yr by YellowCar

I would be more inclined to go the decent polish/protection route, as some of the cheaper covers can create abrasion marks on the paint as it rubs in the windy weather we are having at the moment, causing a more expensive problem than a bit of fading. As YellowCar said, just keep it clean fairly regular, and you are done.

I would be more inclined to go the decent polish/protection route, as some of the cheaper covers can create abrasion marks on the paint as it rubs in the windy weather we are having at the moment, causing a more expensive problem than a bit of fading. As YellowCar said, just keep it clean fairly regular, and you are done.

having suffered I would leave the cover off too---would help if you could get it's weight off the tyres or at least pump them up more to avoid flatspotting   and trickle charge the battery and handbrake OFF

I'd keep trying the insurance quotes, calling them up after online quotes seems to be the only way I can get the price back down to earth these days. Last time I insured the Octavia on it's own it dropped by £26 or £280 by calling up and saying WTVF are you smoking?? 

 

What is the idea with storage, for a year or a few months to see if prices change? If it's on the drive I'd just start and run it up once a week or 10 days and move it back and forward, leaving it in gear without handbrake on when off. 

 Last time I insured the Octavia on it's own it dropped by £26 or £280 by calling up and saying WTVF are you smoking?? 

 

^^This^^

 

In my experience, insurance companies routinely increase premiums by 25-35% every year in the hope you either don't notice or you CBA to do anything about it.  My own insurance company (rhymes with Dialect Fine) tried the same trick this year.  I phoned them to moan about a 25% increase in premium and they immediately reduced it to 10%.

I'm a big advocate of doing it old school and ringing round, I tend to use comparison sites as a guide unless they're blindingly cheap. When it comes to renewal I'll find cheaper elsewhere and still ring back my original insurer to see if they can beat it.

Broker. Broker. Try a broker. If AF, Greenlight or Chris Knott can't get you a decent quote I'll be very surprised but needs the old fashioned dog and bone involved.

I went on go-compare and found the best quote then rang Chris Knott who, when given that quote beat it by a little bit.

I went through the various online comparison sites and eventually one came back with Hastings direct, £28/month and I got a Brian toy   The company I had my 1.4 Ibiza with wanted over £500