FAQs of storage
What are the benefits of having my car professionally stored and cared for?Should I sign a contract with terms and conditions before storing my car with Ecurie Esprit?
Do minimum and maximum storage periods apply if I store my car with Ecurie Esprit?
Do I have to provide a notice period if I need to end the storage term?
Will my car be safe and secure with Ecurie Esprit?
Do I need to insure my car if it is stored with Ecurie Esprit?
Does the value of my car matter?
Can you collect and deliver my car to the storage facility?
Can I deliver or drive my car to Ecurie Esprit myself?
Why do I need an Airchamber and battery conditioner?
Who provides the Airchamber and battery conditioner?
Who owns the Airchamber and battery conditioner at the end of the storage period?
Why do you dress, over-inflate and rotate the tyres of my car whilst in storage?
Why does my vehicle need to be exercised during the storage period?
Can I use my car during the storage period and if so, when?
Where can I stay for a short or extended visit to the area?
Do I need to do anything in preparation for storing my car with Ecurie Esprit?
Can I store my motorcycle with Ecurie Esprit?
When should I pay for the storage service?
What payment methods does Ecurie Esprit accept?
What are the benefits of having my car professionally stored and cared for?
Time and convenience: Owning and maintaining any type of car which is not used frequently requires precious time. Batteries, tyres, powertrains, ancillary items and all other moving components require active management to keep your vehicle in good condition and ready for use. Even in the case of a predictable requirement like a routine service or MOT, the owner must remember it, find a supplier, book it, make satisfactory logistical arrangements there and back and possibly incur down time whilst waiting during the maintenance event itself. This is for each car owned, assumes all goes smoothly with no return visit required and more likely than not requires the owner or their representative to be in the country. With more and more pressures on our busy lifestyles a professional car storage provider like Ecurie Esprit can bring storage, logistics and care services together as a single point of contact in a highly convenient way.
Space, security and protection: Satisfactory parking space, especially in urbanised areas, is becoming more constrained. Urban planning means new developments have less of it and existing developments continue encroaching as their curtilages are used more productively. With fewer new garages being constructed and fewer existing garages being used for storing cars a greater reliance is placed on the use of private outside areas and public on and off street spaces. This can be unsatisfactory as it increases the exposure of the car to the elements, to accidental and malicious damage and worse still – theft. A service provider like Ecurie Esprit dedicates its space for the sole purpose of professionally storing cars in a highly secure and controlled environment to standards which are unlikely to be found even at residences which benefit from private garaging.
Enjoyment and pleasure: Many of us choose to own one or more cars for the pleasure of using them and the experiences they lead us towards. In urban areas in particular this enjoyment has become more challenging. Increasing levels of congestion, parking restrictions and other urban planning measures designed to discourage car use all play their part in this trend. A professional car storage company in an out of town location but with good transport linkages to key urban areas enables owners to take a break from the city and enjoy using their cars in a more relaxing way. Ecurie Esprit is situated in Stratford upon Avon with excellent connections to the national motorway network and mainline railways. As a gateway to the Cotswolds this is a great location for a day trip or short break to the area and being centrally located is the ideal base from which to explore further afield for an extended trip in any direction. It also means, if you prefer to start or finish your experience from somewhere else we are well placed to deliver and collect your car to a location of your choice.
Value for money: The cost of space alone means most car storage providers represent very good value for money. Research in 2013 by parkatmyhouse.com involving a mixture of private and commercial spaces found London to be the most expensive city in the world to park at an average cost of £42 per day (with some commercial car parks in the West End charging up to £75 per day). The average daily costs in Manchester were found to be £12 and for Birmingham £10. At Ecurie Esprit this figure is closer to £3.50 for basic storage with the availability of insurance, air chamber, battery conditioner, active maintenance regimes and access to an extended range of fully managed care services.
Should I sign a contract with terms and conditions before storing my car with Ecurie Esprit?
Yes. We would not expect any customer to entrust the storage of their vehicle to us without an agreement being signed before the storage period commences. Likewise, we would not expect a professional service provider to propose the storage of a car without first providing this assurance.
Do minimum and maximum storage periods apply if I store my car with Ecurie Esprit?
Our offer is geared around a three month minimum storage period, payable in advance. Customers may permanently remove their vehicle from storage at any time by prior arrangement, however the minimum three month charge is non-refundable.
There is no maximum storage period – we are happy to look after your car for as long as required - either on a fixed term or open ended basis.
Do I have to provide a notice period if I need to end the storage term?
Customers may permanently remove their vehicle from storage at any time by prior arrangement. Contractually we ask for one month notice not to expire before the end of the minimum three month initial period.
Will my car be safe and secure with Ecurie Esprit?
Understandably we treat this very seriously and take all reasonable care and skill to safeguard your vehicle. Our ‘protect and react’ strategy involves an extensive range of physical and technical defences reinforced by operational measures which always have security uppermost in mind.
Do I need to insure my car if it is stored with Ecurie Esprit?
This is not a requirement on our part. All vehicles stored with us can be covered by our own insurance policy against the risks of fire, theft and malicious or accidental damage. This affords our customers the opportunity to suspend or cancel their own insurance arrangements if they wish. This benefit is available within our standard monthly storage charges for vehicles valued up to £100,000. A small monthly surcharge is levied for vehicles valued in excess of £100,000 with the surcharge amount being agreed in advance of the storage term commencing.
A customer may also choose to maintain an existing insurance policy (for example to maintain a no claims discount or enable periodic use of the vehicle during the term), in which case the customer should inform their own insurer that their vehicle is being stored with Ecurie Esprit. Please note it is a legal requirement for a vehicle to be taxed, MOT’d (if applicable) and insured unless declared as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notice) with the DVLA (Drivers Vehicle Licensing Authority).
Does the value of my car matter?
We understand cars can be emotive as well as rational possessions. It is our pleasure to store any type of car and provide the same level of care and attention irrespective of its economic value.
If your vehicle is valued in excess of £100,000 a small monthly insurance surcharge may apply. You will also need to advise a member of our staff if your vehicle has an agreed valuation in excess of normal market value for insurance purposes for any reason.
Can you collect and deliver my car to the storage facility?
Yes. We operate an in-house collection and delivery service using a state of the art enclosed transporter. Our service can transfer vehicles across the UK and Europe and in partnership with a network of freight forwarders we can also arrange movements further afield if required.
We offer the complimentary initial inbound transport of your vehicle to our storage facility within our fully inclusive monthly car storage fee. Surcharges apply for journeys beyond mainland UK* and weight/dimension restrictions apply for covered transport (please enquire). Open trailer and national driven services are also available and our drivers carry motor industry trade plates as a matter of course.
* mainland UK defined as anywhere accessible in England, Wales or Scotland without the requirement of a plane or boat.
Can I deliver or drive my car to Ecurie Esprit myself?
Yes. We readily accept self and third party deliveries by prior arrangement and if notified in advance of your requirements will be happy to assist with local train station transfers and onward taxi booking arrangements.
Why do I need an Airchamber and battery conditioner?
The controlled micro-environment provided by an Airchamber mitigates the corrosion caused to a vehicle by hidden moisture in the air and condensation, whilst simultaneously ensuring a desirable level of vapour remains for the protection of natural materials such as wood, leather and rubber. The device also provides a valuable exoskeleton to ensure nothing contacts your car, negating the risk of scratches associated with the application/removal of car covers and providing a vital last line of defence against dust, fallout, bird droppings and accidental damage.
The CTEK charger and conditioner protects against the depletion and associated damage to your battery that can occur as a result of infrequent and short term use. As well as preventing a flat battery event its use reduces the likelihood and frequency of a replacement unit being required and the inconvenience of having to reprogramme memory settings such as radio pre-sets, power seat/door mirror positions, reverse dipping rear view mirrors and window/sunroof one touch closing functionality.
Who provides the Airchamber and battery conditioner?
We provide complimentary use of an Airchamber and CTEK battery conditioner within our fully inclusive monthly storage fee. Both devices are fastidiously maintained and regularly checked using our portable appliance testing (PAT) equipment.
Who owns the Airchamber and battery conditioner at the end of the storage period?
Ownership of these assets remains with Ecurie Esprit after the storage term but these items are available to purchase new, directly from us and delivery can be arranged nationally.
Why do you dress, over-inflate and rotate the tyres of my car whilst in storage?
Active management of your tyres is very prudent – they are the only things which connect your car to the road. We dress them with a preserver to inhibit side wall cracking and perishment. We also inflate them to 50psi and rotate the wheels bi-weekly to mitigate against deformation or ‘flat spots’ which can cause unpleasant vibrations, excessive wear and ultimately a failure. This routine is also good for wheel bearings for the same reasons.
Why does my vehicle need to be exercised during the storage period?
Cars are designed and engineered to be dynamic moving objects with key components and ancillaries placed at risk of deterioration if not regularly exercised. The practise of not exercising a vehicle during a period of storage can often prove a false economy, with issues of greater magnitude in terms of time and cost requiring rectification further down the line, usually at moments of high inconvenience. Our active maintenance programme has been developed to mitigate these risks and promote the early identification of issues and faults.
Every month we start up the engine and run to operating temperature which re-lubricates the internal components and seals, exercises the belts and pulleys and counters the gumming up of fuel system componentry. Every other month we drive the vehicle on the highway or a rolling road to mitigate binding of the brake, clutch and gearbox systems. We also cycle the ancillary functions of the vehicle to verify their status and exercise the motors which power them. We check levels and gauges and where fitted we run the air conditioning system to lubricate system seals and suppress stale odours.
Can I use my car during the storage period and if so, when?
Yes - we encourage customers to regularly enjoy the use of their cars whilst in our care. We endeavour to be flexible but usually ask for 48 hours notice prior to a usage event so we can clear your entry with site security and check and prepare your car ahead of arrival.
Where can I stay for a short or extended visit to the area?
If you are looking for somewhere in the area to stay, dine or relax there are many options and we are happy to advise for differing budgets and requirements. In the first instance, we are pleased to recommend the following:
- Menzies Stratford upon Avon Welcombe Hotel, Spa and Golf Club.
- Church Street Townhouse, Stratford upon Avon.
- Ettington Park Hotel, Stratford upon Avon.
- Mallory Court Hotel, Leamington Spa.
Do I need to do anything in preparation for storing my car with Ecurie Esprit?
We take care of most things during our multi-stage vehicle induction process so you don’t have to. There are however some practical items you should consider to ensure the experience runs seamlessly:
- Ensure you are able to evidence proof of ownership for the vehicle (e.g. V5C registration document) and corresponding photographic proof of your own identity and address (e.g. passport + recent utility bill or photocard drivers license).
- If you intend to maintain an existing insurance policy you should notify your insurance provider that your car will be stored with Ecurie Esprit.
- Provide us with the vehicle handbook, a set of keys with remote fob, the alloy locking wheel nut key and operating details for any tracking or other security devices fitted to your car.
- Provide us with the vehicle documentation we request to handle the servicing, MOT and SORN or Road Fund License renewals should you require us to look after these items as part of our managed care service.
- Leave some fuel in the tank (we recommend no less than 1/4 of a tank).
- Remove any personal or business related possessions from the vehicle.
- Remove any foods or perishable goods and any dangerous, hazardous or illegal materials from the vehicle.
Can I store my motorcycle with Ecurie Esprit?
Yes. As motorcycle owners and enthusiasts ourselves we are pleased to accommodate these requests. All motorcycles stored with us receive the same high standards of care as motorcars at a 50% rate of the comparable car storage fee.
When should I pay for the storage service?
Following the initial three month advance payment, charges are payable monthly in advance thereafter upon presentation of a valid invoice.
What payment methods does Ecurie Esprit accept?
We accept payment by BACS, standing order, direct debit, wire transfer, cash, cheque and debit or credit card. For credit cards and company debit cards a 2.5% surcharge applies.