The car storage questions we hear most often tend to come down to one concern: will my car be looked after properly, and will it be ready when I want it back?
Windrush Car Storage has cared for classic cars, supercars and other cherished vehicles for more than twenty years from our two car storage facilities in Central London and the Cotswolds. Whether someone is considering short-term car storage for a few weeks or long-term car storage for several years, many of the same questions come up. In this article, we answer the questions clients ask most often before placing a car into storage.
Where are your car storage facilities?
Windrush has two car storage locations: one in Central London car storage facility (W12, near Notting Hill/Holland Park) and one Cotswolds car storage facility (GL54, near Bourton-on-the-Water). Neither address is published and neither building carries external signage because discretion is part of how we keep our clients’ vehicles secure. Clients receive the full address once they have booked and shared the relevant ID documents, and visits are by prior appointment only. Anyone considering car storage in either Central London or the Cotswolds is very welcome to arrange a private tour first. You read more here about the advantages of each location.
How much does car storage cost?
The cost of car storage depends principally on the location, length of stay and whether you are storing one or more vehicles. Current pricing and details of what is included can be found on our London car storage and Cotswolds car storage webpages. Whichever facility you choose, your car receives the same proactive approach to storage and care as another car that we care for.
Is there a minimum storage period?
Yes, the minimum stay at each location is two weeks. Some clients use our facilities for short-term car storage for a fortnight while travelling; others have kept the same car with us for more than a decade. Every car receives the same care, whatever the length of stay. You can read more about short-term car storage here.
Is my car insured while it is in car storage?
Clients must maintain their own vehicle insurance while a car is in storage with us, as our liability while a vehicle is in our care is limited in certain respects under our conditions of business. Depending on how the car is being used, a specialist insurer may offer a laid-up or storage policy that costs less than full road cover. We can assist clients in obtaining any cover they may need via one of our preferred brokers.
Do I need to SORN my car while it is in storage?
Not necessarily. You can make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) if a vehicle is being kept off the public road and is not taxed for road use. That said, many Windrush clients keep their cars taxed so they remain ready for use at short notice. As mentioned above, we require that vehicles in storage are insured by their owners at all times. If your car is SORN, it will need to be taxed again before it can be driven on a public road. You can read the current requirements in the GOV.UK guidance on SORN.
Will my car be kept under a protective car cover?
Yes. Windrush supplies a soft, stretch-fit, breathable indoor cover for every car, suitable for all vehicle and paint types. The cover is applied only after the car has been carefully washed and allowed to air dry completely. It is then fitted and removed methodically to minimise the risk of dragging dust across the paintwork. A breathable cover adds a layer of protection for the car’s finish while allowing moisture to escape. Using a Windrush cover also ensures that the manufacturer’s cover remains clean and unused while the car is in storage.
Do you offer climate-controlled car storage?
Yes. Both Windrush facilities are designed to provide a stable environment for long-term vehicle storage, but they achieve this in different ways. Our Cotswolds facility uses active dehumidification to maintain a target of 55% relative humidity, with environmental conditions monitored continuously. Our London facility uses the building’s thermal mass to help maintain stable conditions and minimise the temperature and humidity swings that can lead to condensation and material deterioration.
The aim is not simply to make a storage space warm or dry. Excessive humidity can promote corrosion, mould and electrical problems, while an environment that is too dry can adversely affect leather, rubber, wood and other materials. What matters most is keeping conditions stable and preventing the humidity extremes that can damage a stored vehicle over time.
You can read more in our guide to humidity damage and how control it with our climate-controlled car storage.
What happens to my car when it arrives for storage?
Every car goes through the same documented preparation process before entering storage. We photograph its condition, assign it a unique ID and protect the interior with seat, steering wheel and floor covers. The car is then carefully washed, fluids and battery condition are checked and tyre pressures are raised to help reduce the likelihood of flat spots. The car is allowed to air dry completely. Its brakes are then applied to clear surface moisture, a drip tray is positioned beneath it, a dedicated battery conditioner is connected and, finally, its cover is fitted.
Once the car has been prepared and settled into storage, we will send you an email to confirm and include a video of this process for your peace of mind.
Do you keep my car battery charged while it is in storage?
Yes. Every car is connected to its own dedicated CTEK battery conditioner supplied by Windrush and electrically tested for safety each year. Battery-conditioner status is checked every seven days. Maintaining a healthy battery is particularly important on modern cars, where low voltage can lead to warning lights, electronic faults and other issues.
For electric vehicles, where appropriate we can also connect the vehicle or charger to our WiFi network to help maintain connectivity for manufacturer systems and software updates.
Can I store an electric car?
Yes. Electric cars can be stored at both Windrush facilities and receive the same proactive care as combustion-engined vehicles, with additional attention given to battery condition and charging. EVs can be connected to our power supply to maintain an appropriate state of charge during storage and, where required, we can connect the vehicle or charger to WiFi.
Electric vehicles have slightly different long-term storage requirements from petrol and diesel cars, particularly when it comes to traction-battery charge levels and 12V battery health, so their storage routine is managed accordingly. You can read more about our electric car storage.
What happens to a car during long-term storage?
Long-term storage at Windrush is active car care rather than simply parking a vehicle in a building. All storage areas are inspected at least twice a day, while battery conditioners and drip trays are checked weekly. Each car regularly has its fluid levels and tyre pressures checked before being started and run up to operating temperature on our internal rolling road. This lightly exercises the vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems without the car leaving the facility.
If anything requiring attention is identified, we contact you and suggest an appropriate remedy.
How much notice do I need to give before using my car?
We generally ask for 24 hours’ notice, although shorter notice can usually be accommodated. Before handover, we check the battery, lights, horn and fluid levels, top up the screen wash, return the tyres to road pressures and finish the interior and exterior before carrying out a final quality check. We even set the clock.
Can I collect my car out of hours?
Yes. Out-of-hours car collection and drop-off is available through our secure Drop Zones in both London and the Cotswolds, allowing clients to collect or return vehicles outside normal opening hours by prior arrangement. This means an early departure, late flight or weekend return does not prevent you from accessing your car when you need it.
Can you collect and deliver my car?
Yes. Collection and delivery can be arranged to or from almost anywhere. We regularly collect from homes, offices, airports, dealers, workshops and auction houses. Local journeys can be completed by one of our trained and experienced drivers, while our enclosed transporter can be used for longer journeys or whenever covered transport is preferred.
You can read more about our car transport and shipping service.
Can you arrange servicing and MOTs while my car is in storage?
Yes. We can manage annual servicing and MOT requirements on your behalf and keep track of when work is due. Our aim is that a car leaves storage ready to be driven and enjoyed, rather than returning to its owner with an expired MOT or an overdue service. This forms part of the wider range of car storage services available to Windrush clients, including servicing and MOTs.
Can you fix issues with my car while it is in storage?
Yes. Whatever the issue, the answer is always yes. Over more than twenty years we have built a trusted network of specialists who can repair, replace, restore or install almost anything on a car, including addressing mechanical and electrical faults, paintwork, trim and alloy wheels. Windrush acts as your single point of contact, arranging and overseeing the work and keeping you informed until it is complete. In many cases, the car never needs to leave the facility.
You can read more about our Install, Repair & Restore service.
Can I move my car between London and the Cotswolds?
Yes. Cars can be moved between our London and Cotswolds facilities using our own in-house transporter. Some clients keep a car in London during the main driving season and then move it to the Cotswolds during periods when they are less likely to need it in town. Our team can organise the transfer on your behalf, ensuring the process is smooth and efficient.
Can I leave my everyday car with you while I use my stored car?
Yes. Your storage bay remains yours while your stored car is out, so you can arrive in your everyday car, leave it with us and drive away in the car you keep at Windrush. We look after the replacement vehicle to the same standard as the storage vehicle until you return.
Can I store an imported car before paying duty and VAT?
Yes. Our Cotswolds facility is recognised as an HMRC Customs Warehouse. This means Customs Duty and import VAT on qualifying imported vehicles can be suspended while the vehicle remains under the customs warehousing procedure at Windrush. If the car is subsequently released for permanent use in the UK, the relevant duty and VAT would normally become payable. If it is re-exported without entering free circulation in the UK, the suspended charges may not become payable.
You can read more about Windrush Customs Bonded Storage and the current GOV.UK guidance on importing vehicles and paying VAT and Customs Duty.
Windrush can also help manage the UK registration of overseas vehicles, working with importers, HMRC and the DVLA on your behalf. The rules vary according to the vehicle and circumstances, so we recommend discussing an individual import with us before the car arrives. Read more about importing a car to the UK in our recent article.
Every one of these questions comes back to the one we started with: will my car be looked after properly, and will it be ready when I want it back? At Windrush, the answer lies in the detail: a documented process, a team who know each car individually, and a willingness to take care of whatever the car or its owner needs.
If you have a question we have not covered here, the team will be glad to talk it through. Many clients find the most useful first step is a private tour, which gives you the chance to see exactly how your car would be stored and cared for. Tours of our London car storage and Cotswolds car storage facilities can be arranged by appointment. Arrange a private tour.
