Save Time & Money
Written by Michael Foote, Insurance Expert
For many supercar owners, life gets busy, or the weather turns, and the car can end up sitting idle. But can that hurt the car? And are there consequences for your insurance?
Let’s take a look at why it matters to keep your high-performance vehicle moving, even if you’re not clocking up big miles.
Supercars Are Built to Be Driven
While a £200,000 supercar might seem like a piece of art, it’s still a machine designed for movement. Regular driving keeps key components lubricated, maintains battery health, and helps prevent problems with brakes, tyres, and fuel systems.
When left idle for long periods, even well-maintained cars can develop:
- Flat-spotted tyres
- Sticking brake calipers
- Weak or dead batteries
- Condensation inside the engine or exhaust
- Faults with air suspension or electronics
And unlike a standard family car, these aren’t cheap or simple fixes.
Mileage Isn’t the Only Thing That Matters
Many supercar buyers aim to keep mileage low to preserve resale value, especially for rarer models like an Aston Martin Vantage. But insurers and mechanics alike advise a balance. A car that hasn’t been started or moved in months often raises more red flags than one that’s gently used.
How Inactivity Affects Your Insurance
Most specialist insurers won’t penalise you for low mileage, in fact, it can often reduce your premium. But if your car is unused and left without proper maintenance, it could impact future claims.
For example:
- A dead battery that prevents theft tracking may lead to a rejected claim
- Signs of neglect could affect a payout following mechanical failure
- Storage without the agreed level of security (e.g. locked garage) could void your policy
You may also need to declare your car as off-road with a SORN if it’s not insured or taxed, though this removes all road cover.
Best Practices for Low-Use Owners
If you don’t plan to drive your supercar often, aim to:
- Start it every 2–3 weeks and run it to temperature
- Move it slightly to avoid tyre flat spots
- Top up or trickle-charge the battery
- Keep the tank at least half full
- Check your policy for requirements around storage or inactivity
And don’t forget to take it for a proper drive every now and then, 20–30 miles of varied roads can do far more for the car’s health than just idling on the driveway.
Drive It or Lose It
These cars weren’t built to sit still. Even if your supercar is a luxury you only enjoy occasionally, regular light use is key to keeping it reliable and covered. It’s not about putting on miles, it’s about preserving what makes the vehicle special in the first place.
For more tips on balancing ownership with peace of mind, head to our Prestige Vehicle Insurance hub to see what flexible policies are available for low-use drivers.