What Happens When Your Car Sits Too Long?

Cars are meant to be driven. But usually, when we travel a lot for long periods, either for vacation, study, or work, we leave our car behind. And sometimes, we just don’t use our car anymore simply because it’s old. While others have issues that haven’t been addressed. Because of this, our vehicle can be left to sit. But what happens when your car sits too long anyways?

It today’s blog post, we’ll go over what to expect from a stagnant vehicle that is aging and has mechanical defects. We’ll talk about what things physically can decline quickly, what mechanical deficits to expect from inactivity, and what you can do if you own an aging vehicle that has been sitting longer than it was every on the road.

At More Cash For Scrap, we have been providing scrap car removal services throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley since 2005. And no one pays MORE cash for scrap cars than we do. We have seen it all when it comes to junk vehicles. And today’s blog post is written from our own personal and professional experiences in the scrap car removal industry.

What Can Happen to a Car After Sitting Too Long?

Just like we need to move to stay healthy, a car needs to be driven to work properly. When a person just sits around, he could feel weak and stiff. That’s exactly the same for cars. When it sits for a long time, its parts start to break down or get stuck.

First of all, your car could develop battery issues. We know that even when off, your car has “parasitic drains” from onboard electronics. And when it’s not driven for a long time, the alternator can’t recharge the battery. If that happens, the battery could die completely. It’s more than just an inconvenience; your car can suffer permanent damage because of a dead battery.

Additionally, if your car sits in one place for so long, it can have tire issues. Since it’s not moving, the car’s weight is constantly on one spot of your tire. It can cause flat spots that can permanently damage the tire’s structure. And it often requires expensive replacements!

Is It Bad for a Car To Sit for a Long Time?

The gasoline in your car’s fuel tank can also break down over time and turn into sticky, varnish-like substance. This substance can clog fuel lines, injectors, and the fuel pump. And this makes your car impossible to start.

And the worst? Mechanical problems! These are perhaps the most expensive to fix. Inside the car, old gas turns sticky, which clog lines. Brake parts rust and get stuck. Even the engine and other moving parts can suffer from lack of use. They can seize or wear out quickly when you finally try to drive. Really, a lot of things can go wrong when you leave your car undriven for a long time!

Fortunately, at More Cash For Scrap, we pay MORE cash for cars that have been sitting for a long time. Vehicles with seized engines, blown head gaskets, failed transmissions, and seized brakes are all worth MORE when you choose our scrap car removal services.

How Long is “Too Long”?

There’s no definite time on how long your car can sit without problems. That depends on its age and current condition , as well as how hot or humid the are that it’s stored in is. Additionally, colder or wetter climates will also have a negative impact on a vehicle that is left outdoors for long periods of time.

Usually, leaving your car for a few days to a week won’t cause any problems. But after two to four weeks, your battery might die due to hidden power drains. This is especially common on older vehicles or vehicles with high mileage.

If it sits for a few months, expect a dead battery, flat spots on tires, and fuel starting to turn into a sticky mess within the gas tank. Brakes will also likely begin to rust and/or seize up, along with any known leaks worsening from prolonged outdoor exposure.

And beyond six months, serious and expensive damage is almost guaranteed without proper care. Expect rust on the body and vital parts, potential pest infestations including the chewing of wires, and degraded fluids, hoses, and belts.

Signs that Your Undriven Car is In Trouble

Some signs are easy to notice—-rust, flat or deflated tires, no lights or power, or even a strong moldy or gas smell. But the most damaging issues are often hidden and need a closer look or a mechanic’s assessment to find out.

Here are some signs your car is in trouble:

Contaminated or Degraded Fluids:

You can’t see the gas turning gooey or the oil breaking down inside. These hidden changes hurt your engine and brakes. You might only find out when the car won’t start or when liquids leak out.

Seized Brake Components:

Rust can glue brake pads to the wheels. You won’t see this from the outside, but it will stop your wheels from turning or make the car pull to one side when you try to drive.

Pest Damage:

Mice or bugs can build nests and chew wires. You might only see droppings, or find out when the car won’t start or warning lights come on.

Corroded Fuel Lines/Tank:

Hidden rust inside the fuel tank or lines can cause leaks or blockages that you won’t spot until there’s a big problem.

Dry Rot on Hoses and Belts:

Rubber parts dry out and crack when not used. Some are hidden and can break suddenly when you try to start the car, causing major engine trouble.

Engine & Transmission Problems:

When the car sits, the inside parts of the engine and transmission don’t get lubricated properly. They can rust, get gunked up, or even get stuck. Then, the car just won’t move or work right.

Electrical Headaches:

Wires can get rusty from moisture, even without pests. This can cause things like blown fuses or features just stopping. Finding and fixing these electrical issues can be a real pain.

The sad truth? Most of these hidden problems usually mean really expensive fixes. What looks like a small repair can quickly turn into a bill for thousands of dollars. That’s because mechanics often have to dig deep to find the issue, replace stuck parts, or fix bad rust and wiring.

We Pay MORE Cash for Cars With Mechanical Failure

At the end of the day, the longer your car sits idle, the more likely you are to face, not only an inconvenience, but a big repair bill that might outweigh the car’s value. Which is why so many Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley residents turn to the scrap car removal services of More Cash For Scrap.

We buy vehicles of any make, model, and year, and in absolutely any condition. While some scrap car removal companies in the Lower Mainland will only buy complete vehicles or certain makes and models, we buy everything!

Our goal is to help keep the scrappy cars off of BC roads, while paying MORE cash for scrap cars than any other scrap car removal company in Metro Vancouver or the Fraser Valley. It’s just a small part of how we offer MORE!

Sell ANY Vehicle to More Cash For Scrap Today!

The worst things can happen when you leave your car undriven for a very long time. And when fixing isn’t the best option anymore, go to plan B—-call MORE Cash for Scrap. We pay MORE cash for cars in ANY condition.

Whether it’s a non-runner that has developed all sorts of mechanical issues from sitting for years, or one that has extensive rust all over due to harsh weather, we’re interested! Even those that have massive exterior damage from a collision are worth MORE than you think.

Even older vehicles that are in generally decent running condition, but are getting too expensive to maintain are worth MORE when you choose More Cash For Scrap. Because at More Cash For Scrap, junk vehicles that are still running are always worth MORE!

Scrap Car Removal in Metro Vancouver

At MORE Cash for Scrap, we make your scrap car removal process easy. We handle everything from start to finish to make sure you get MORE cash for your unwanted vehicle without much hassle. You don’t even have to worry about the paperwork. We handle it too!

Give us a call or send us a text message to get an instant cash offer. Just provide us the make, model, year, and the condition of your car. Then, we’ll turn it into MORE cash for you. Seriously, we pay MORE than any other scrap car buyers in town.

And don’t worry if your car is completely non-functional, we will still pay MORE cash for it. You don’t have to think about the logistics either. At MORE Cash for Scrap, we offer free towing from anywhere in the Lower Mainland!

So, if you want MORE customer service. Along with MORE flexible scrap car pick-up times. And want MORE cash for scrap cars than the other guys are offering, choose More Cash For Scrap. The Lower Mainland’s favourite scrap car removal company. We simply offer MORE!