How often does a car need to be driven?

[Gericho]

When I say driven, I mean used as a whole.

If I wanted to buy an investment car to keep in storage as a future-classic ( like the "last waltz" Porsche 993 https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/29334/lot/158/199... ) then apart from the regular servicing, is there a recommended schedule for how often it should be actually be driven?

Consumables like tires don't matter too much, but I wonder what is the minimum required practice to keep all the seals, electrics, engine, turbos etc healthy?

I am looking to keep it as an investment so the miles have to stay low but I don't want a huge repair bill for items said above every few years. I have already had serious problems with a convertible roof due to lack of use. I was told if it was used every day, none of the problems of a siezed motor and broken seals would have happened. But surely I cannot use something everyday if its to be kept low mileage.

As the car gets older, good parts are next to impossible to come by which makes many issues unrepairable. That would defeat the purpose of having kept it so long.

Edited by Gericho on Thursday 5th September 12:05

[SFTWend]

I think your approach depends on whether the focus is on investment or driving pleasure.

You wouldn't want to be driving that Porker if it's purely an investment purchase because the mileage needs to stay low. That car could throw up all sorts of issues if put into regular service, whether regularly serviced or not. As you say, seals drying out etc.

Many owners keep their classics in storage, on a trickle charger, over winter without issues. I preferred to also use mine on dry winter days and found that an outing every couple of weeks was ample to keep everything in good order.

[supacool1]

I generally use my car once a week to take it to work and back (total 22 miles on A roads) to keep things moving. Less so in the winter months, but use it long enough to get everything up to normal temp.

[Alex_225]

I suspect it's very dependent on the type of car to be honest.

I have two very low mileage hot hatches but both are relatively modern (2006/2010) but have had no issues sitting still for quite some lengths of time. They were clean and dry but one sat still for 11 years with no battery. The main issue it had was the fuel pump going rusty and needing replacement, but with a full service it started and moved no issue.

They're both now in covered in a dry garage but they're both with new batteries and on C-tek chargers.