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Car Unused for 4 years - cost to repair?


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corduroy
New User

May 28, 2015, 8:59 AM

Post #1 of 6 (2185 views)
  post locked   Car Unused for 4 years - cost to repair?  

I haven't used the car for 4 years due to extensive travelling. It's a 2004 Accord V6 Sedan EX with 58k miles. Since 2011, it has been sitting in a covered, climate-controlled storage, completely unused.

I bought it brand-new in 2003, drove it regularly, and had followed the recommended oil change and maintenance schedules.

At this point, I'd like to sell the car but wonder how much I would first have to pay to get it into a drive-able and sell-able condition, given the extended non-usage?

I don't have time for a private sale, so I think that leaves the following options:

1) Have it repaired and then sell it outright to a used car dealer
2) Have it towed as-is to used car dealer and sell it
3) Donate it (if repair costs are high relative to selling price)

I ran online quotes on the car value, which are in the $4000-6000 range. However, without knowing how much it would cost to repair, I cannot make an informed decision. Can someone be so kind as to give me some feedback regarding the expected repair cost? Even a rough range would be helpful. Thank you very much!


(This post was edited by corduroy on May 28, 2015, 8:59 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 28, 2015, 9:05 AM

Post #2 of 6 (2177 views)
  post locked   Re: Car Unused for 4 years - cost to repair?  

IMO the "climate controlled" garage was the best thing you could have done. I'd expect a new battery and some fuel issues and probably not much more than an oil change routine service and sell it yourself you should do better but if you can drive it for a few days at least to know it's truly OK.


Proper storage is everything,


T



corduroy
New User

May 29, 2015, 5:14 AM

Post #3 of 6 (2153 views)
  post locked   Re: Car Unused for 4 years - cost to repair?  

Tom, thanks for the reply! If all it needs is a new battery then that's great news! The car was in good condition when I placed it in storage 4 years ago, and I'm quite hopeful after reading your response.

Actually, my husband had also left his car in storage for 4 years completely unused (we were travelling together). However, it's an open (uncovered) storage. He placed a vehicle cover on the car but it probably did little to protect it from the elements.

His car is a 2006 Toyota Scion xB (purchased new) with 44k miles. What kind of repairs should we expect and what might be the cost?

Thanks again for your help!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 29, 2015, 6:18 AM

Post #4 of 6 (2148 views)
  post locked   Re: Car Unused for 4 years - cost to repair?  

I can't price out what "costs" would be for you by location and your choice of shop and their rates.


Just FYI on "car" type batteries. They are a "lead/acid" type with a known life expectancy never better than the day it was first filled/made which is marked on them either obviously or encrypted but a month/year is known. The degrade by time alone such that many are recycled if unsold within ONE year still new and essentially junk! That part is normal unless you assertively keep a battery on a "maintainer/charger" to keep one at full charge the can take time much better. Don't confuse "car" batteries with other types like for devices that really don't mind getting low on charge and just charge up again. Car batteries self destruct by being in a state of discharge which any would be after a few months or so could be normal if untouched.


So what, even though costs of them is up it would be time if these cars were new and you were using them daily about now.


Fuel is an issue. There is no way to know for sure without testing it in a laboratory or looking at it in a glass jar if additives (those are not stabil, pure gasoline is) what it suffered. Some will gel up and clog up strainers, filters up to mess up anything to do with fuel delivery for the engine. Some solvents (judgment call) will correct the situation some do nothing and leave you to drain all, clean out items or replace as needed.
There are at least 200 formulations of "gas" we call it sold in the US that change by location sold and time of year as well. It get much worse with the use of ethanol in fuel.


So: What I might do for these cars (both ways of storing them) is don't even try the batteries in them just get new and charge even a new battery before installation. If the outdoor vehicle was exposed to all weather extremes of cold/damp/hot conditions it could be much more of a challenge and dampness alone will harm brakes as the metal will at least "gun" rust on the rotors/drums where exposed differently than right where friction linings sat and feel like crap up to unsafe right away!


Other is oil in engines of both has had all that time to drain back to the sump or oil pan. This can be a serious problem to just an initial start up problem. This allows unseen areas inside engines to rust as the oil is all at the bottom and can actually seize them in place - outdoor stored even new whole unused vehicles get recycled over this problem in just over ONE year possible!
Many engines also use oil pressure for tensioning things and for valve lifters. Most would leak down at that much time and even if they cranked well might not start for some cranking time or manually pump up oil pressure ahead of trying at all.


Impossible to know the exact state of each without trying or looking up to a prep for initial try to run them. It might be a great idea to have a tech go to each car first before you try at all for a hands on look and check out.


Chances are both will be able to run fine again - actually just did up one for someone who bought a 4 year just parked car indoor stored but nothing but parked so just went thru this. Battery more than dead was shorted! Fuel was garbage too but a product called SeaFoam (used at about 1/3) of suggestion on container worked but took some run time and new fuel to clear out and is fine now.


The unknown with either is will they come up with oil leaks especially on shafts that spin on oiled items such as axles, PS pumps, front and rear engine crankshaft seals included. The car I just mentioned is a friends and said not to buy the dang thing over this but did anyway. It does now leak oil but runs great again and yes all brakes were unworn but needed help just lubing up moving parts right away.


I don't think you can know the extent if any without a few months of use after back in service? That's why I suggested some days of use to know if they are OK at least a little, then decide what you'll do. Sell, trade in or use again if in the cards.


Refresh: You were looking for the costs and can only say that batteries are mandatory now the rest is somewhat unknown till they are running again,


Tom



corduroy
New User

Jul 19, 2015, 3:48 AM

Post #5 of 6 (2017 views)
  post locked   Re: Car Unused for 4 years - cost to repair?  

Tom,

Thank you again for your help! I thought I'd write and let you know how it all went:

Honda Accord - I installed a new battery, and pumped some air into the tires. The engine wouldn't start at first, but finally it did. Then I took it in for an oil change, and from then it was smooth sailing! Ended up selling to a friend.

Scion xB - installed new battery, pumped air into tires, and engine started right away. Took it in for an oil change, and was able to sell it for a reasonable price.

Phew, I was afraid it would be a lot more complicated, and was relieved how things turned out (cars ran fine as you had anticipated). Thanks again!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 19, 2015, 3:59 AM

Post #6 of 6 (2014 views)
  post locked   Re: Car Unused for 4 years - cost to repair?  

Glad to hear it. Said up top the best thing is where it is stored then what you can do when you know it will be some time.


If I forgot to mention tire pressure, sorry. That would be a must.


New cars even that get stuck in a field for even just several months are a problem to dealers. Dead batteries, rusted brake parts but little to insignificant miles. Still will warrantee anything but just a waste as they should be driven around a lot at least and batteries charged up IMO.


Sounds like you made out fine - can't argue with that,


T
(will close off thread YOU can ask to reopen by any moderator as both cars are now sold being discussed so little more to do with this thread)







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