Will a Sedan Get Damaged If Parked for a Year?
4 Answers
Parking a sedan for a year can cause damage. Here are the symptoms that may occur when a car is parked for a year: 1. Tire Aging: There are many disadvantages to leaving a car unused for an extended period. The first component to be damaged after parking for a year is the tires. If the tires bear weight on a single point for such a long time, they will show signs of aging. 2. Car Rust: If the car is not used for a year, the battery may also be damaged, and rust may develop inside the engine. The body and chassis may also exhibit rust. 3. Failure to Start: The battery is a crucial component in a car, responsible for powering all electronic devices and starting the engine. Once the engine is running, the alternator takes over to power the electronic devices and recharge the battery. If the battery is damaged, the engine will not start.
I had a car that sat unused for a whole year while I was working abroad. When I came back, I found the battery completely dead. The tires were deformed with cracks on the sidewalls—the repair shop said it was due to prolonged single-point pressure. There was even a mouse nest in the engine bay that chewed through two wiring harnesses, costing over 800 yuan to clean up. The worst part was the rusted and seized brake discs, which made a metal grinding noise when starting. Now I’ve learned my lesson: before long-term parking, I always inflate the tires properly, disconnect the battery’s negative terminal, and ideally have someone start the car for 10 minutes each month. If parked outdoors, it’s best to use a car cover to prevent tree sap from corroding and yellowing the paint. Never assume locking the car is enough—mechanical parts deteriorate faster from disuse than from regular driving.
Our repair shop often sees such cases: 80% of vehicles parked for over six months require battery replacement, especially AGM batteries with start-stop function. Oil sedimentation can form sludge that clogs oil passages—I once saw a Mercedes with engine oil emulsified like yogurt. Rubber components suffer most from prolonged parking—door seals crack causing air leaks, while engine belt aging and fracture risks double. Ethanol-blended gasoline in the fuel tank separates and corrodes the fuel pump—last year we towed a BMW with completely clogged fuel pump filters. We recommend starting the engine for at least 20 minutes every two months until reaching operating temperature; driving a few kilometers is even better. If possible, use jack stands to lift the vehicle and prevent tire deformation.
My old Sagitar was parked for eleven months during last year's pandemic lockdown, and it wouldn't start at all when I retrieved it. After jump-starting, the dashboard lights went haywire with warning indicators, and the diagnostic scan showed an ABS sensor malfunction. The mechanic said moisture had seeped into the connectors. The dipstick revealed blackened oil, and the drained old oil contained metal shavings during the oil change. What hurt the most was the interior—several cracks had formed on the leather seats, and dead pixels appeared on the infotainment screen. A friend reminded me to place desiccants inside the car for long-term parking and to spray protectant on the door seals. Now, I'd rather drive it weekly for grocery shopping than leave it parked long-term. Machines truly follow the principle of 'use it or lose it.'
