Car covers...why would you use one?

[Macneil]

Browsing Autotrader to see local cars for sale and there is a C class not far away, looks ok and obviously hasn't been valeted befroe photos so you can see it's well used, even a bit dirty in the footwells. I decided to take a swing by earlier and have a look, but it was completely covered in an all over car cover and it just put me off. I used to see them all the time back in the seventies, but the only time I've seen one recently is on a VW beetle that a guy over the road is restoring. This one looked expensive, with clear plastic areas for the rear reflectors, might even be car specific.
I know the merc must be stored outside as it's all terraced housing but the only reason I can think of to shroud it is that it leaks rainwater? Or would a really careful owner use it to protect the car? The interior photos definitley don't reflect an owner who keeps their car completely spick and span. When I lived round there bird droppings were a problem, maybe it's that?

[Simon_GH]

Tree sap and bird droppings are most likely reasons in my opinion.

[rossub]

To protect it from the elements if you don’t use it for extended periods e.g. over winter.

Nobody uses a car cover if it’s in daily use.

[defblade]

rossub said:

Nobody uses a car cover if it’s in daily use.

Simon_GH said:

Tree sap and bird droppings are most likely reasons in my opinion.

At an old workplace, where I had to park under a tree, I started using one daily after the day I came back to my car to find that I basically couldn't see out of the windscreen due to bird poo. So I'd say Simon is more likely the winner. It was a PITA tho!

[BlackTails]

rossub said:

Nobody uses a car cover if it’s in daily use.

Not true.

[plenty]

My driveway is surrounded by mature garden, and other than bird droppings my cars become caked in foliage after a few days, especially after the gardener visits.

Any minor clearcoat imperfections introduced by the covers can be easily polished out in minutes.

[chunkyjh]

I used one on a retro classic I had that I drove infrequently. I ensured the cover remained clean inside and free from grit and was always put onto a clean car and was of good quality, made to measure with a fleece lining. I then found the impact of it on the paint was minimal and the car was always immaculate when I came to use it.

[Whatever123]

All of mine are inside, 5 of them have car bubbles & another cover over the car underneath that!

Biggest reason is possible rodent entry & electrics chewing, peace of mind whilst away from them.

[anonymous-user]

My 25 year old C43 lives under a cover, purely because I use it infrequently, but like it to be immaculate at all times.




Even in summer, left uncovered the dust and dew leaves marks on the body. Plus the cover keeps UV light away from the interior too. I have a garage, but there's no room...

[soad]

It’s not just cars, motorbikes use them also (no garage).