Leaving Ibiza for Winter? Don't Forget About Your Car!

As the summer season comes to an end, plenty of people start packing their bags, booking flights and heading back to the UK or elsewhere for the winter. Ibiza gets a little quieter, the beach clubs close, and life starts to slow down.

But what about your car?

If you're leaving Ibiza for a few months, it's worth giving some thought to where you're going to leave it. Because while you might be looking forward to coming back in the spring, your car could have had a rather different experience while you've been away.

We've seen a few things over the years that might make you think twice about simply parking up and hoping for the best. There's more to consider than you might think!

1. Your car makes a surprisingly good home for local wildlife

An underground car park is, for the most part, a safe, sheltered place to leave your car for the winter. But there are a few things worth knowing.

For starters, cockroaches are a fact of life in Ibiza, and underground car parks can be home to them. The last thing you want when you get back in the spring is to discover you've inadvertently become landlord to a few unwanted guests. Trust me, there is nothing worse then looking down to see whats tickling your leg, only to discover it's a cockroach climbing up it.

We've seen people leave their convertibles in an underground car park with the roof off. Absolute madness! We can only imagine what might have made itself at home in there over the winter, but it's certainly not something we'd recommend!

Cats also love finding somewhere warm and cosy to curl up, and unfortunately, a parked car can look like the perfect place for a snooze.

Our advice? Make sure your car is properly closed up before you leave, and don't leave it looking like an inviting little holiday home for the local wildlife.

2. Whatever you do, don't leave your windows open

A lot of people seem to think Ibiza has the same great climate all year round. It really doesn't. We get blooming great storms. It gets incredibly damp. Leaving your windows open, even just a fraction is not a good idea.

We once saw a lovely Mercedes left in an underground car park with one of its windows slightly open. It didn't look like a big deal at the time. A tiny gap, nothing more.

But by the time the owner returned the following spring, the entire interior was covered in green mould. Seats, upholstery, everything. It was horrific.

Ibiza might be known for its sunshine, but humidity can be a real problem when a car is left unused for months. Moisture trapped inside a vehicle can contribute to condensation, mould and some seriously unpleasant smells.

If you're leaving your car for an extended period, make sure it's properly secured and take sensible steps to reduce moisture before you go.

Trust us, you don't want your first job back on the island to be investigating whether your car needs a hazmat team.

3. Leaving it on the road isn't necessarily the easy option

After saying all that we've made it seem like you may as well leave it on the road haven't we? It may seem like the simplest solution, but if you're thinking of leaving your car parked on the street for the winter, there are a few things to bear in mind.

The police do patrol during the quieter months, and they check vehicles for things such as valid ITV (the Spanish vehicle inspection) and the required documentation. If a vehicle doesn't meet the relevant requirements, it could be subject to enforcement action, including being removed.

Then there are roadworks, local fiestas and other events.

Just because you've found a convenient parking space doesn't mean it'll still be available a few months later. Sometimes roads need to be cleared for works or events, and if your car needs to be moved while you're away, you might not be around to move it.

If the authorities need the vehicle removed, it could end up being towed.

An unexpected impound bill is probably not how anyone wants to start their Ibiza spring.

4. Don't assume your car is safe just because it's parked outside where you live

A car left in the same spot for weeks or months can attract the wrong sort of attention.

We've seen people try door handles and even try force windows down to see whether they can get into a vehicle. If a car looks as though nobody has touched it for ages, it can become an appealing target.

And it's not always the expensive things that disappear.

We once had a couple of 6-packs of milk stolen from the boot of a car that we'd left outside overnight. Yes, milk. Not a wallet, not a set of golf clubs. Milk! We shouldn't have left the boot unlocked. But it was winter. There was barely anyone around! Still, they are there, in the dead of night, trying handles to see what's about, even in the quietest of villages!

So if you're planning to leave your car on the street for the winter, don't assume it'll be completely undisturbed just because it's parked somewhere familiar.

5. Your pre-winter car checklist: a few things to do before you go

Before you lock up, head to the airport and forget about Ibiza for a few months, it's worth spending 20 minutes getting your car ready for its little winter holiday.

Here's what we'd recommend checking before you leave.

Give the interior a proper clean.

Remove all rubbish, food wrappers, crumbs and anything else that might attract unwanted visitors. Do you really want to come back to a car infested with bugs or mould?

Remove anything damp.

Wet beach towels, swimming costumes, gym clothes and damp floor mats are all best taken out and dried properly. Leaving damp fabrics in a closed car for months is asking for trouble when it comes to mould and unpleasant smells.

Close everything up properly.

Check every window, door and the boot. Don't leave a window slightly ajar thinking it'll help with ventilation. As we've seen first-hand, that can end rather badly. If your car has a removable roof or convertible top, make sure it's fitted and secured properly, too.

Check your tyres.

Tyres can gradually lose pressure while a car is sitting unused. Check the pressures before you leave and follow the manufacturer's advice if the vehicle will be parked for an extended period. If you're leaving it for several months, it's also worth asking whether any additional precautions are appropriate for your vehicle.

Think about your battery.

Batteries don't particularly enjoy being left unused for long periods. Depending on your car and how long you're away, a suitable battery maintainer may be worth considering.

If you don't have one, at least make sure you know where your jump leads or compatible jump starter are when you return. Just remember that a completely flat or deteriorated battery may need more than a quick jump-start.

Don't forget the basics.

Make sure your car is locked, valuables are removed, and you've taken your keys with you. Check that your vehicle's paperwork, ITV and other relevant requirements are up to date, too.

Have a plan for your return.

If you're going to be away for several months, think about who could help if the battery is flat or a tyre needs attention. It's much nicer to have a plan before you fly back than to discover a problem when you're tired and don't need the grief. You may well consider leaving a spare key with someone you trust. That way if the car needs moving, or you want them to give the battery a little tick over, they can.

It might seem like a bit of a faff when you're busy packing, but a little preparation now can save you a lot of unpleasant surprises in the spring.

And after everything we've seen over the years, we'd say it's 20 minutes well spent!

6. Give your car somewhere safe to stay this winter

If you're heading off the island for a few months, it's worth thinking about your car before you go, rather than discovering a problem when you return.

At Milner4x4, we offer winter car storage in a secure underground car park in Ibiza. It's an option for people who want somewhere dedicated to leave their vehicle while they're away, rather than leaving it parked on the street and hoping everything will be fine. You will have someone here keeping an eye on it, who you can contact.

Of course, no storage option can guarantee that a car will be completely problem-free after months without use, so it's still worth preparing your vehicle properly before leaving it with us.

Make sure it's clean and dry, all windows and doors are properly closed, and you've followed any recommendations for leaving your particular vehicle unused for an extended period.

A little preparation now can save you a considerable amount of hassle later.

Heading off the island for winter?

If you're leaving Ibiza for a few months and need somewhere to store your car, get in touch with Milner4x4 to find out about our secure underground car parking.

Enjoy your time away. And hopefully, when you return, the only thing waiting for you in your car will be the keys!