At first glance, indoor car covers may seem a bit superfluous or even mollycoddling – an extravagance reserved for classics or Italian exotics that rarely see the light of day.
However, in truth, their benefits are numerous and worthwhile on any car stowed away, from exotics to SUVs to hatchbacks. Unless you own a bespoke indoor space dedicated solely to protecting your four-wheeled beloved, an indoor cover may be worth investing in.
What’s the point in an indoor car cover?
While behind a garage door your car will be protected from some elements, if it shares that space with other objects – bikes, tools, lawnmowers, etc. – it will still be vulnerable to the occasional knock or scratch. Coupled with dust particles, UV rays and a damp environment, your safe space may not be so safe after all.
An indoor cover will provide the additional protection your car needs to remain in the best condition for as long as possible. However, choosing the right cover for your garage is imperative as you may have specific needs to be accommodated, and one size does not fit all.
Where to start?
No matter which car you wish to protect, you should be able to find a cover to do the job. You’ll need to choose between a custom fit cover (one that follows the specific lines of your vehicle and includes mirror pockets) or a contoured fit (follows the general contours of your vehicle and stretches over).
It’s important to keep in mind the environment in which your car will be kept when not in use, as indoor car covers will not provide adequate protection against the perils of outside storage.
Cosmos Indoor Car Cover
Price: £29.99 | VIEW OFFER
Cosmos offers a sleek and smart option in its product, specifically designed for indoor protection on a range of cars. This product features an elastic build to stretch over the body of your vehicle, offering versatility in its use at home. It’s available in four sizes, suitable from Minis to a BMW 5 series.
The design will protect against sand and dust corrosion, as well as paint fade if stored in view of a sunlit window. The fabric is breathable, so as to ventilate in a damp environment. Although, while breathable, this product is not waterproof and so isn’t appropriate for outside use. Ideal for smaller cars thanks to its snug, stretch overfit.
Leader Accessories 3-Layer Indoor Car Cover
Price: £24.99 | VIEW OFFER
A cheaper alternative to the Cosmos is the Leader Accessories Basic Guard 3 Layer. This indoor cover offers protection against UV rays and dust resistance – however, it comes as a universal-fit package, meaning it lacks the same tight fit as the Cosmos and other covers on the market. This then leaves your car more vulnerable to corrosion underneath, though with a broader size range it has the potential to cater to a greater number of vehicles, including yours.
Konnfeir Half-Car Cover
Price: £28.99 | VIEW OFFER
As noted in a previous list of Parkers’ car cover picks, not everyone wants – or needs – to have a full cover. The Konnfeir Half Cover is comprised of an aluminium material to aid in waterproof performance and durability. The cover is built for all seasons and is fit to protect against a number of outdoor perils, including water, frost, snow, dirt, bird droppings and tree sap – according to Konnfeir.
At around £30, this product is more expensive than both the Basic Guard 3 Layer and the Cosmos, though better materials offer improved performance. The drawback is the risk of lower-half damage, as this cover only provides protection to the roof, windscreen, mirrors and bonnet. Would be best suited to a large SUV or any car with extensive space to be covered.
Cover Car Shop Indoor Car Cover
Price: £90+ | VIEW OFFER
Over on the Cover Car Shop website, you can customise your cover to cater for the specific shape of your vehicle via their online database of 3,000 cars. From here, you may determine the shape and durability of your product, choosing whether to go for inside or outside application.
Your car will benefit from its high-end finish and four-layer durability, but it’s worth noting these covers are considerably more expensive than the other picks on this list, with a basic indoor cover for an Audi A1 starting at around £90.
TopSoon Indoor Car Cover
Price: £15.57 | VIEW OFFER
At just under £16, TopSoon offers the most affordable cover on this pick. There is no option for customisation, as this cover secures itself with nothing more than a ring of elastic around the bottom of a plastic sheet.
The TopSoon will not provide the same protection as the cosmos or the Leader Accessories, but as a simple plastic wrap it is easy to install and uninstall as and when needed. Though more unsightly than the other products, it still provides waterproof capabilities and is abrasion resistant at a very affordable price. Best used for short-term protection, such as when painting a garage interior.
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