Ask the Expert: Which car will be happy being left alone when we emigrate?

Can the Nissan Qashqai sit in an underground parking garage? - David Shepherd

Dear Alex,

My wife and I recently retired and are relocating to Alicante, Spain, and we will need to buy a car out there – something like a Nissan Qashqai, nearly new rather than used. However, we will be spending three to four months a year in the UK, during which time the car will sit unused in our flat’s underground parking garage, with no electrical sockets near our space. Do you have any advice about the type of car we should buy, and how we should keep it in good condition while we are away? I have heard that hybrids can get a flat 12V battery if not used regularly.

– RH

Dear RH,

It’s true that many full hybrid models do tend to drain their 12V batteries if left unused for an extended period. Then again, I’d imagine you’re likely to return to find a flat battery in almost any car that sits unused for a period of three to four months, unless the battery is in tip-top condition.

Of course, you can jump-start the car when you return to it with the aid of a jump pack, but this sort of battery drain won’t be good for the battery, so I’d try to prevent it from going flat in the first place.

You can do this one of two ways: either by getting a kill switch fitted to the car, or by taking the less neat, but cheaper, option of removing one of the battery terminals and tucking it away safely in a plastic bag before you leave Spain.

If that’s what you’re going to do, buying a hybrid should hold no fear, because with the battery disconnected, it can’t be drained. That should leave you free to choose whichever model you prefer.

Your suggestion of a Qashqai is not a bad one; its neat handling, comfortable ride, smart interior and relatively compact size all mean it hits the spot for a great many buyers – indeed, it’s one of Britain’s best-sellers.

If you’re after an alternative, the Seat Ateca is a good shout; it’s about the same size as the Qashqai and just as crisp to drive. Stick to lower-spec versions with smaller wheels to get the best ride quality; the 1.0-litre petrol engine is the nicest to use. And being a Seat, it’ll be easy to maintain over there.

Oh, and one more tip: whichever car you choose, fill it up as much as possible before you leave. The more fuel in the tank, the less air there is for the ethanol component within the petrol to react with, and the longer it’ll be before the fuel goes off.

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