Many residents spend half the year somewhere else. The car stays behind, and the island is not kind to cars that stand still. Here is what actually happens to it, what the rules say, and how to leave it so that it starts, stops and looks right when you come back.
What happens to a car that stands for months
A modern car is never really switched off. Alarms, keyless entry and connected services draw a little power all the time, so a battery that is not charged can go flat in a few weeks. A deeply discharged battery often does not fully recover.
Tyres slowly lose pressure and can develop flat spots where they rest on the ground. Brake discs pick up a layer of surface rust, especially near the coast, and a parking brake left on for months can stick. Outdoors, the sun dries out rubber seals, fades paint and plastics and heats the cabin, while dust and calima settle on everything.
What the rules say
- Insurance: in Spain, a registered car must keep its compulsory insurance even when nobody drives it. The exception is a temporary deregistration (baja temporal) at the DGT, which takes the car off the road entirely until you register it again.
- ITV: the inspection date does not pause while you are away. With an expired ITV the car must not be driven, not even to the airport, and some councils still fine cars parked on the street with an expired ITV.
- Road tax and other dates do not stop either, so it is worth noting them before you leave.
Your options
Your own garage is the obvious choice, but the battery, tyres and dates still need someone. A street or a community car park adds sun, dust and knocks. Long-stay airport parking is convenient on the day you fly, but nobody looks after the car while it is there. A friend or neighbour can help, as long as they know exactly what to do and have the time.
A care and storage service puts all of that in one place: the car is kept indoors, the battery is maintained, the dates are watched, and someone with automotive experience checks it regularly.
A checklist before you leave
- Wash the car and clean the interior, so that nothing marks the paint or attracts insects.
- Check the ITV, insurance and service dates for the months you will be away.
- Fill the tank, which leaves less room for condensation inside it.
- Set the tyres to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer for a full load.
- Connect a battery maintainer, or have someone charge or drive the car regularly.
- If it is safe where the car stands, leave it in gear or in P rather than relying on the parking brake for months.
- Use a breathable cover made for the car, never a plastic sheet, which traps moisture.
When you come back
Before driving off, look at the tyres and check their pressure. The first few metres the brakes may feel rough while the discs clean themselves. If a warning light stays on, or the car struggles to start, have it checked rather than hoping it will settle.
How we can help
At Gran Canaria Premium Car we look after cars for residents who spend part of the year away: indoor storage under a fitted cover, battery maintenance, regular checks, and the ITV, service, workshop visits and cleaning arranged while you are away. When you return, your car is waiting at the airport or at your door. The price is on request, because it depends on the car and the length of your stay.
By Efrén Suárez MartínFounder, Gran Canaria Premium Car