Should you cover your car in winter?

What a cover does for a car in winter

• Keeps frost and snow off the glass. The cover takes the frost, not the windscreen. Remember the Highway Code still requires you to be able to see: rule 229 says to clear all snow and ice from all your windows before setting off.
• Keeps road grime and debris off. Leaves, bird droppings and tree sap land on the cover instead of the paint.
• Protects a car that is laid up. A second car or classic that stays parked through winter benefits most, because the cover can stay on for long stretches.

Why breathability matters most

Winter air is damp, and temperatures swing between day and night. Moisture that gets under a cover has to be able to escape. MGOC Spares, which sells covers for classic MGs, puts it plainly: a fully impermeable cover traps any moisture present beneath it and holds it against the paintwork, and condensation under a sealed cover on a car that is not used regularly is a common cause of body deterioration. Halfords makes the same case for covers that keep rain out while allowing condensation to evaporate.

Frost, wind and fit

A loose cover in a winter gale is the main risk to paint. MGOC Spares notes that a generic cover that is too large billows in the wind, abrading the paint at the contact points. Halfords' advice is to pick one that fits snugly so it will not flap. Use every strap or underbody tie the cover comes with, and check it after stormy nights.

When not to cover

• When the car is dirty. Halfords warns never to put a cover on a dirty car because trapped dirt can scratch the paint.
• When you only have a non-breathable sheet.A tarpaulin or plastic sheet traps damp against the body.
• When the cover does not fit. An oversized cover in an exposed spot does more harm than good.
• When you drive the car daily. A frost guard or windscreen shield is easier to live with.

Common mistakes

• Covering straight after a muddy drive.
• Choosing by "fits most cars" instead of measuring the car's length.
• Leaving straps undone because the night looks calm.
• Buying a cover described only as waterproof, with no mention of breathability.

Related reading

• How to measure your car for a cover
• Car cover buying guide
• Indoor vs outdoor car covers
• Our car cover picks
• Winter emergency kit essentials

Frequently asked questions

Will a car cover stop frost on the windscreen?

A full cover keeps frost off the glass because the frost forms on the cover instead. If frost on the windscreen is your only problem, Halfords points to frost guards and windscreen shields as a simpler way to prevent overnight ice. Either way, the Highway Code (rule 229) says you must be able to see, so all snow and ice must be cleared from all windows before you set off.

Can a car cover damage the paint?

Yes, in two ways. Dirt trapped under the cover scratches the finish, which is why Halfords says never to put a cover on a dirty car. And a loose cover that billows in the wind abrades the paint at the contact points, a point made by MG specialist MGOC Spares. Clean car, snug fit.

Should I cover a car I drive every day?

Usually it is more hassle than it is worth. Putting a cover on and off twice a day, often wet and cold, is a chore, and a wet cover bundled into the boot is not pleasant. For daily drivers, a windscreen frost guard deals with the main winter annoyance. Full covers make more sense for a second car or one parked for weeks.

Is waterproof better than breathable for winter?

A cover needs to breathe. MGOC Spares warns that a fully impermeable cover traps any moisture beneath it against the paintwork, and that condensation under a sealed cover on a car not used regularly is a common cause of body deterioration. Look for a cover that resists rain but still lets moisture escape.