Everything You Need to Know About Car Storage in the UK

For a lot of people, owning a car means juggling space, time, and practicality. Some have more vehicles than their drive can handle; others keep classics or weekend cars that only see the road for part of the year. Then there are those who travel or work away and simply need somewhere safe to leave a car they’re not using. Whatever the reason, the question’s the same: where can you keep a vehicle so it stays dry, secure, and ready to drive when you need it?

That’s what this guide explores, how car storage works, why it matters, what to expect in cost and upkeep, and how All Boxed makes it easy to store your car locally in Chippenham, Calne, or Melksham without overcomplicating things.

Can you store a car in a storage unit in the UK?

Yes, you can, and in many cases, it’s the most practical option. Whether you’re heading abroad, freeing up space at home, or looking for a safer spot for a car you don’t use every day, vehicle storage keeps it protected and out of the way.

The key is finding a facility that’s built for vehicles, not just general storage. It needs to be secure, dry and easy to reach when you need it. At All Boxed, we use the same clean, high-quality containers found in our household storage, but adapted for cars, vans and motorbikes. You can drive straight up, park inside and lock up your vehicle in minutes.

Each of our sites in Chippenham, Calne and Melksham has round-the-clock CCTV, gated entry and fire detection systems, so your car stays safe and untouched for as long as it’s with us. Whether it’s a classic you take out in summer or a work van you don’t have space for at home, it’ll be kept dry, secure and ready to drive whenever you are.and ready to drive whenever you are.

What to look for in a car storage facility

When you’re storing a car for any length of time, the conditions around it matter more than most people realise. A sealed, unventilated space might look secure, but it traps moisture and encourages condensation, which can quietly damage paintwork and interior fabrics over time. A properly ventilated, dry unit prevents that build-up from ever starting. It keeps the air stable, so the car comes out exactly as it went in, clean, dry and ready to drive.

Security is the other side of it. Anyone can claim to be “safe,” but proper car storage needs constant oversight. CCTV that runs around the clock, gated entry, and access that’s coded or controlled aren’t just nice to have, they’re what keep your insurance valid and your peace of mind intact. If you’ve ever left a car parked on the street and worried about what might happen overnight, you’ll understand the difference immediately.

Then there’s the simple matter of access and cost. A good facility shouldn’t make either difficult. You need to be able to reach your car when you want, without waiting for opening hours or staff to unlock gates. And you shouldn’t be tied into a contract that outlasts your plans. That’s why, at All Boxed, our storage sites in Chippenham, Calne and Melksham are open around the clock with straightforward monthly terms. You drive in, store the car, and know it’s protected, no hassle, no fine print, and no surprises when it’s time to take it out again.

The benefits of proper car storage

Good car storage pays for itself in what it prevents. Cars left outside don’t just gather dirt; they slowly deteriorate. Paintwork fades, interiors dry out, and moisture settles into the parts you can’t see. In a dry, ventilated space, that process stops. The car stays stable, no damp, no rust, no cracked leather, which matters whether you’re protecting a classic or just trying to keep an everyday car in decent shape through the winter.

Security is another quiet benefit. Once the car’s locked inside a monitored unit, the constant background worry disappears. There’s no risk of a passing scrape, no temptation for thieves, and no checking the window every time you hear a noise outside. For people short on space, it also gives a bit of breathing room, a cleared driveway, a garage you can actually use again, or simply less clutter to navigate day to day.

At All Boxed, the idea is to make that level of protection practical. Our sites in Chippenham, Calne and Melksham offer clean, dry, secure units with access whenever you need it, all on flexible monthly plans. You don’t have to overthink it, you just store the car, keep the keys, and know it’s ready whenever you want it back.

How car storage works at All Boxed

Storing your car with All Boxed is designed to be simple from start to finish. Most people begin by getting an instant quote online or giving us a call, there’s no long form to fill out or a fixed-term contract to worry about. Once you’ve chosen a unit at your nearest site in Chippenham, Calne or Melksham, we’ll reserve it for you straight away.

When it’s time to bring your car in, you just drive up, park inside, and lock the unit with your own access code. There’s no waiting around or handing over keys; it’s completely self-contained and secure. From that point on, you can visit whenever you need, whether that’s to check on the car, start it up, or take it out for a drive.

Your vehicle stays dry, safe, and untouched for as long as you need it stored. When you’re ready to collect it, you simply come down, unlock the unit, and drive away. No hidden costs and no stress, just straightforward storage that works exactly as it should.

Common questions about storing your car

Most people have a few questions before they decide to store a car, and they’re usually the same ones. Cost is the obvious starting point, it depends on the size of the unit and how long you need it for, but storage is often cheaper than people expect, especially when you factor in the protection it gives. At All Boxed, pricing stays flexible and monthly, with no tie-ins or unnecessary long-term contracts..

Insurance is a detail that sometimes gets overlooked. While your car is in storage, you’ll still need to keep it insured, though many owners switch to a laid-up or SORN policy to cut costs. The key thing is that your car sits in a secure, CCTV-monitored unit, which most insurers recognise as a safer environment than parking on the street.

And if you’re not sure how much space you’ll need, that’s easy enough to figure out. A standard car fits comfortably in one of our container units, with enough room to move around and access doors or panels if you need to. If you’re unsure, our team can match the vehicle to the right size before you book, so you know it’ll fit perfectly.

Getting started with car storage

Once you’ve decided to store your car, sorting it out is straightforward. You can get a quick quote online or give us a call, then choose whichever site works best for you, Chippenham, Calne or Melksham. When your unit’s ready, you just drive in, park up and lock it yourself. That’s it.

There’s no long contract or complicated handover, and you’ll always be able to get to your car whenever you need to. Whether you’re keeping it off the road for a few months or for the foreseeable future, everything’s set up to be simple, flexible and secure. If you’re ready to get started, you can book a space or give us a ring, we’ll help you find what fits.

How to prepare your car for storage

Getting your car ready for storage is about prevention more than anything else, stopping the small problems that develop when a vehicle sits still for too long. Start by giving it a proper clean inside and out. Wash, wax and dry the paintwork, vacuum the interior, and clear out anything that could trap moisture or attract pests. Fresh oil and topped-up fluids make a big difference too, as old oil can turn acidic and cause corrosion if left sitting for months. A quick spray of lubricant on hinges, locks and moving parts will stop them seizing while the car’s not in use.

With the basics done, focus on the fuel and battery. A full tank helps prevent condensation forming inside, as there’s less empty space for moisture to collect and drip down into the fuel. Over time, those droplets can corrode metal tanks and dilute the petrol or diesel. Keeping it full eliminates that risk, and a dose of fuel stabiliser will keep the system healthy if the car is off the road for a while. Run the engine briefly to circulate it, then turn your attention to the battery. A trickle charger is ideal for maintaining charge, but if you don’t have one, disconnecting the negative terminal works just as well.

Tyres and brakes need attention too. Inflate the tyres slightly above the normal pressure to stop flat spots forming, and avoid using the handbrake, it can stick if left on. Instead, use wheel chocks to keep the car steady.

Once it’s clean, sealed and settled, cover the vehicle with a breathable car cover to keep dust off and air moving around it. If you’re storing it indoors, a well-ventilated, dry unit is best; if outdoors, make sure it’s on level ground and protected from trees or falling debris.

At All Boxed, every car is stored in a clean, dry, secure unit with proper airflow and monitored access, so once you’ve done the prep, you can lock it up and walk away knowing it’ll stay exactly as you left it.

How often should you check on a stored car

Even when a car’s in storage, it still needs a little attention to keep it healthy. A quick weekly check and a proper run every few weeks will stop most long-term problems before they start. Once every two to four weeks, start the engine and let it idle for about 15 to 30 minutes. This keeps the battery charged, the oil circulating, and the fluids moving through the system. If you can, take it for a short drive. It’s the best way to prevent flat spots on the tyres, keep the gearbox and steering lubricated, and make sure the brakes don’t seize.

In between, a quick visual check once a week is enough. Look underneath for leaks, make sure the tyres haven’t lost pressure, and check that any battery conditioner or trickle charger is working properly. Every month or so, it’s worth checking the oil and coolant levels too, and if the car isn’t covered, give it a quick wash to stop dirt or bird droppings marking the paint.

At All Boxed, you can come and go as often as you like. Our sites in Chippenham, Calne and Melksham are open around the clock, so it’s easy to stop by.

Car storage costs at All Boxed

Cost is often the deciding factor when choosing where to store a car, which is why we keep ours simple and fair. At All Boxed, you pay monthly, with no hidden fees or long-term tie-ins, just clear pricing for the space you actually need. Each unit is dry, secure and accessible 24 hours a day, so you’re not paying extra for convenience or peace of mind; it’s all part of the service.

Because every vehicle is different, our prices vary slightly by unit size and location, but the principle stays the same: straightforward, flexible storage that doesn’t overcharge or overcomplicate. The aim is to give you proper protection for your car without wasting money on extras you’ll never use.

You can get an instant quote online or speak to our team to find the best fit at one of our sites in Chippenham, Calne or Melksham. Either way, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for, secure, local storage that keeps your car safe, clean and ready for when you need it.

Keeping your car in good hands

Car storage isn’t about locking something away and forgetting about it, it’s about knowing that when you come back, it’s exactly as you left it. Whether you’re protecting a classic, parking a work van, or just freeing up space at home, it’s worth choosing somewhere that treats your vehicle with the same care you do.

At All Boxed, that’s what we’ve built our service around: secure, dry, accessible units, flexible monthly terms, and no hidden extras. Every site, Chippenham, Calne, and Melksham, is monitored around the clock, so you can walk away knowing your car’s safe until you’re ready to bring it back out.

If you’re ready to sort your space, you can get a quote online or call to speak with the team. We’ll help you find the right unit and get everything set up quickly, no pressure, no fuss, just straightforward storage that works.