Classic cars are great in the summer – driving down the mountain on a sunny day is heaven.
But classic cars in winter are a different matter, and many people have chosen to store them for the colder and harsher months.
Before winter arrives, we'll take a look at statutory road closure notices (SORN) for classic cars to help you determine whether officially taking them off the road is the best idea.
What is SORN, how to prepare your classic for it and will it save you money? Here is our guide to vintage engines.
SORN (Statutory Off-Road Notification) is when you notify the DVLA that your car is not currently in use and that you are moving off the road
What is SORN and how to register a car as SORN?
SORN (Statutory Off-Road Notification) is when you notify the DVLA that your car is not currently in use and that you are taking it off the road.
You can register your car as SORN via the DVLA website or by telephone or post. It is free of charge and you can register as SORN immediately or from a designated date.
For your car to be legally SORN it must be parked off the road and not being driven, otherwise you could be fined up to £2,500.
Drivers will receive a tax refund for all full months of remaining tax (if they registered after January 1, 1984) and will be able to cancel their car insurance to save more money.
For your car to be legally SORNed it must be parked off the road and not being driven, otherwise you could be fined up to £2,500
Why take your classic car as a SORN?
Pros
Classic cars are often only driven during certain seasons, usually during the nicer spring and summer months.
When the weather is bad and you're unlikely to be taking your car out regularly, it's a good idea to park your car in a garage for protection.
This can also give you a great opportunity to carve out time to work on it and get it back up and running without having to pay for it to be on the road at the same time.
Taking your classic car off the road for the winter could help you save money. By registering your car as SORN you do not have to pay for insurance and fuel.
Canceling your insurance will allow you to get a refund for the months you don't drive, although you may incur cancellation fees.
If you want to drive it again in the warmer months, just pay for it and re-insure it and you'll be back on the road.
Defects
Storing a classic car can keep the bodywork in pristine condition, mechanically classic cars perform best when used regularly, so reporting it as SORN and storing it may cause mechanical or electrical problems – engine, battery and tire problems are common and need to be addressed. .
Depending on where you store your SORN classic, it may be visited by local wildlife. Rodents can settle and build nests in the warm corners of classic cars, damaging wiring and even upholstery.
The obvious downside is that you can't drive or you'll face a penalty and a £2,500 fine if you're caught driving illegally. To get back on the road you have to pay tax and car insurance, so the spontaneity of getting into a classic car for a drive on a sunny day is gone.
If something happens to your car and it is not insured during SORN, you could end up with a huge bill. Worse even if it is stolen!
An option to deal with this is to purchase deferred insurance, but this could result in potential SORN savings.
Many insurance companies offer comprehensive insurance that will protect your car while in storage against damage (accidental or malicious), fire, lighting and explosions, theft or attempted theft
What is criminal insurance?
Your classic may be SORNed during restoration, you simply want to store it or transport it, and purchasing insurance is a very good way to protect your car and your investment.
Many insurance companies offer comprehensive insurance that will protect your car against damage (accidental or intentional), fire, lighting and explosion, theft or attempted theft.
The insurance also covers transport time – to and from the garage and even to exhibitions.
Greg Butherway, underwriter at Heritage Classic Car Insurance, commented: “Just register your classic car as SORN offers no cover.
“You should at least consider term insurance, but only if you know your vehicle will be off the road for an extended period, for example for long-term renovation or maintenance work. This way you will be protected against accidental damage, fire and theft.'
If you're going to WIN your classic car for the winter, how should you store it?
Storage and dry cleaning
It is extremely important to provide a safe and dry place to store your car. It may be a garage or a specialized warehouse.
A dehumidified, ventilated and air-conditioned area is ideal because even if your car is under a roof, it is still exposed to the elements, and dirt and moisture can cause rust.
Also remember to clean your car before storing it to make sure there are no materials on it that could cause rust. Keep the cover on your car even if you store it too.
Fuel tank and lubrication
Some recommend topping up the fuel and adding a stabilizer to prevent corrosion, oxidation and maintain fuel quality.
Others, including the RAC, say you can empty the tank and then add some fuel before taking the car out of storage.
We advise you to consult a repair shop that specializes in your brand to see what is best for your specific model.
Also, do not forget to lubricate and maintain your car parts – treat rubber seals to prevent cracking and prevent hinges from deteriorating.
Don't store your car like that! Make sure your classic is SORN, stored in a well-ventilated area, covered and with nothing touching it as this may damage the paint or bodywork and increase the likelihood of rust
Block it
If cars are parked for months, they should be chocked; remove the handbrake and place chocks or wooden blocks under each wheel to stop it from moving. Holding the handbrake on may damage the brakes.
Tires and battery
To make sure your classic's tires don't get damaged by the weight of the car sitting on them for months, remove the wheels or balance them on axle stands. This will release the air and reduce the pressure on the rubber.
Be sure to disconnect the battery to avoid discharging it, and then charge it when you want to reconnect it.
Work
In an ideal world, you'll have your classic serviced before storing it, but you'll at least change the oil yourself if you don't take it back. And remove the spark plugs.
The exact savings depend on many factors, but if you don't insure your car on the road, you can save a lot of money on insurance, and even if you choose deferred insurance, it is usually much cheaper than regular insurance
Will I actually save money by owning the SORN classic?
This is considered individually.
As classic cars are exempt from road tax (if manufactured before 1 January 1984), owning a SORN classic won't save you money, but you may save on insurance and bills, as well as fuel.
Of course, if you don't insure your car on the road, you can save a lot of money on insurance, and even if you decide to buy term insurance, it's usually much cheaper than regular insurance.
The fee can be as little as £80 a year.
By not driving your car, you save fuel; fuel is at a three-year high with a tank costing as much as £100 and classic cars are not fuel efficient, so you could save hundreds of pounds by not driving your car for months.
Even if you plan to repair or restore your car during this period by taking it off the road, you may be able to reduce some of these expenses by putting it through SORN.
To calculate your savings, look at insurance quotes, see how much you can save compared to regular insurance, add your fuel savings, then subtract your storage costs to get the edge.
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