Breaking the mould...

[MOCAŠ]

The tax on my Fabia runs out at the end of this month, so I need to get it MoT'd again. It's been about 18 months now since I last used the car (when I drove it back from its last service ) and it's been sitting on the drive since then.

Well, I went out to take a look at it this morning, and found that its interior has succumbed to some kind of nasty mould. The whiff on opening the driver's door was quite powerful, and the seatbelts, front seats, rear carpets, gearknob and - especially - the steering wheel have all been affected.

Could it be rescued by a skilled detailer? I'm guessing the seatbelts can just be wiped clean and the steering wheel and gearknob will respond to some decent leather cleaner, but what about the seats and carpets - am I looking at replacing them, or will this stuff just be on the surface?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Will]

Mould issues aside - if you're not using it, why not just sell it?

Seems silly to pay for services, MOTs and road tax if it's just sitting there going mouldy. And I'm guessing insurance too?

The interior will clean up. Any local valeter with a wet vac/steam cleaner/patience/elbow grease etc will bring that up looking fine. Then sell it

Will

 

[Will]

Perhaps it's gone mouldy because isn't this the car that was made out of cakes?

 

[MOCAŠ]

Mould issues aside - if you're not using it, why not just sell it?

I should, but for some reason I never get round to it. When it went for its last service I asked the garage to give me a price for it, but never followed it up. Thing is, I really like the car - I just haven't needed more than two seats recently.

Previous reading: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/ot-off-topic-forums/98043-price-inertia.html

 

[Will]

Well, despite it not being worth as much to sell as you might like, it's surely more costly/wasteful to spend ££££s (four figures?) servicing/MOT'ing/taxing/insuring/valeting it whilst it depreciates to be worth even less.

Just out it as it stands, cut your losses and drive the SLK instead. You can always hire/borrow a car if you need more than two seats.

In fact, even a private hire limo would be cheaper on those occasions, bearing in mind that you've not used it at all in 2 1/2 years (I'm guessing!)

Will

 

[wemorgan]

If it were me I'd try some diluted multi purpose surface cleaner - something with some bleach to kill the bacteria.

As Will says, sell it. It may be worth peanuts, but cleaning mould once a year is hassle too.

 

[martyz]

Had some mould issues myself when opening up my 201 that has been untouched for the last year. Mould in same places as yours,managed to get rid of it very easily.

Get a bowl of warm water,add TCP,soak a microfibre cloth in solution .wring out and simply
wipe the offending mould off,works on all surfaces and kills the spores,very quick and effective ,tip picked up from trade .

 

[MOCAŠ]

Well, despite it not being worth as much to sell as you might like, it's surely more costly/wasteful to spend ££££s (four figures?) servicing/MOT'ing/taxing/insuring/valeting it whilst it depreciates to be worth even less.

Just out it as it stands, cut your losses and drive the SLK instead. You can always hire/borrow a car if you need more than two seats.

In fact, even a private hire limo would be cheaper on those occasions, bearing in mind that you've not used it at all in 2 1/2 years (I'm guessing!)

Will

I know - you're speaking perfect sense.

But I'm a bit daft when it comes to parting with cars. In fact, I think I've only ever actually sold one. The rest have either been retained or exchanged.

My twisted logic tells me that if I sell the Fabia for around a third of what I paid for it a few years ago, I'll then spend more buying another "second" car and start the whole process again.

The Fabia does everything I require of a second car; I just need to find a reason to use it. Maybe I should adopt some kids...

 

[MOCAŠ]

If it were me I'd try some diluted multi purpose surface cleaner - something with some bleach to kill the bacteria.

Had some mould issues myself when opening up my 201 that has been untouched for the last year. Mould in same places as yours,managed to get rid of it very easily.

Get a bowl of warm water,add TCP,soak a microfibre cloth in solution .wring out and simply
wipe the offending mould off,works on all surfaces and kills the spores,very quick and effective ,tip picked up from trade .

Thanks for the advice, guys. Good to know that I'm not the first to have experienced this particular issue.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

The Fabia does everything I require of a second car;

......sits there for 18 months not doing anything.....

Why not buy something nicer looking to not use, like a 1965 Pagoda? At least it will appreciate in value.....

Seriously though, I've had van interiors with more aggressive mould than that and they've come up a treat.

 

[MOCAŠ]

Why not buy something nicer looking to not use, like a 1965 Pagoda? At least it will appreciate in value.....

Did I mention the X1/9 that's been sitting under a tree since I last used it in 2007...

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Is the Skoda a diesel?

If it is, I might take it off your hands, mould and all....

 

[renault12ts]

I'm not sure you hold your steering wheel correctly, more half past nine than ten to two.

 

[MOCAŠ]

Is the Skoda a diesel?

If it is, I might take it off your hands, mould and all....

Wash your mouth out!

(But thanks for the offer.)

 

[MOCAŠ]

I'm not sure you hold your steering wheel correctly, more half past nine than ten to two.

Been trying to figure out why the stuff has formed where it has. I suspect it has more to do with whatever was on the hands of the grease-monkey at the garage when it went for its last service, as I've only driven it home since then.

 

[wemorgan]

Cars aren't air tight, so over time any moisture in the air will get in - a few warm days over 18 months is clearly a good breeding environment for mould. I wouldn't go point the finger at the previous mechanics - I feel the source of the problem is closer to home

It seems the Fabia is the solution for the problem that doesn't exist for you -> sell

 

[grober]

How can I put this delicately--- probably reflects the distribution of detritus from the human occupants of the car acting as a growth medium for fungal spores which are almost ubiquitous. Couple that to a nice humid " environmental chamber" and voila! Scary thing is that without our active immune system we would go the same way.

 

[MOCAŠ]

Cars aren't air tight, so over time any moisture in the air will get in - a few warm days over 18 months is clearly a good breeding environment for mould. I wouldn't go point the finger at the previous mechanics - I feel the source of the problem is closer to home

Not pointing any fingers as such. However, the rear seat hasn't been occupied by anyone since late 2008, and when it went for its last service in 2010 (after having been sitting unused in the same place for a year), the interior was spotless. So I'm at a loss to understand why, having been unused again for a further 18 months or so, this stuff has now formed. Add to that the decidedly unusual pattern of formation on the steering wheel (as noted by Renault12ts), and it seems to me that it has not resulted from normal contact during driving (ie: one 5-mile journey 18 months ago), but from someone mooching about inside the car, gripping things here and there.

Anyway, regardless of how it formed in the first place, I just want to get it cleaned up (and hopefully get rid of the smell as well).

 

[balge]

White vinegar. Don't ask me how I know.
As a bonus the car will smell like a chippy for a week or so.

cheers!

 

[MOCAŠ]

White vinegar. Don't ask me how I know.
As a bonus the car will smell like a chippy for a week or so.

Thanks, although I'd be wary about replacing one strong smell with another.

Will look to get the interior steam cleaned first and see if that solves the problem.