Automatic car washes offer a quick and easy way to clean your car on a budget. In fact, thousands of automatic car washes operate in the UK, making it a popular choice for drivers.
Even so, using an automatic car wash isn’t without risks. Below are ten key reasons to think twice before using one.
- 1. They can cause scratches and swirl marks
- 2. They can fade your car's paintwork
- 3. They can break fragile car parts
- 4. They often miss important spots
- 5. They use poor drying techniques
- 6. They don't include interior cleaning
- 7. They're not suitable for larger vehicles
- 8. They sometimes have long queues
- 9. They have limited customisation options
- 10. They often fall into an insurance grey area
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
1. They can cause scratches and swirl marks
Most automatic car washes use spinning brushes or cloth strips which can trap dirt from previous vehicles. If poorly maintained, that dirt acts like sandpaper on your car, resulting in scratches and swirl marks. The recycled water can also contain fine particles which transfers to the brushes and cause scratches.
2. They can fade your car’s paintwork
Regular use of automatic car washes can lead to dull or faded-looking paintwork. This is because repeated use of rough brushes and harsh chemicals will strip the protective layer on your car, leaving it exposed to UV light and environmental pollutants.
3. They can break fragile car parts
An automatic car wash moves your car through a tunnel while large spinning brushes and high-pressure jets clean it. If the mirrors, antenna, or trim pieces stick out, the fast-moving brushes can break them.
Also, the track that guides the wheels of your car can scrape rims if not centred, while the jets can put strain on wipers and sensors.
It’s important to remember that an automatic car wash is a mechanical system with many moving parts. It’s easy for fragile components on your vehicle to break or become damaged during the process.
4. They often miss important spots
Designed to provide only a surface-level clean, automatic car washes often miss important spots like wheels, mirrors, and other tight areas. They can also miss badges, trims, front grilles, spoilers, and number plates, leaving dirt and dust to build up over time.
Proper cleaning of these areas requires specialist tools and cleaning agents, and automatic car washes lack the ability to reach them.
5. They use poor drying techniques
When drying the vehicle, automatic car washes typically use powerful air blowers, which can leave water spots and visible streaks. The high air pressure may also force water into small gaps and seals, causing drips and moisture build up.
If cloth strips or brushes are used for drying instead of air blowers, they can trap dirt and potentially scratch the surface. In some cases, they provide inconsistent results, leaving parts of the car still wet.
6. They don’t include interior cleaning
Interior cleaning is not usually available at automatic car washes, as they don’t have trained car care professionals on-site. If you want the inside of your car cleaned, you’ll need to do it yourself at home or use another service such as mobile valeting.
7. They’re not suitable for larger vehicles
Automatic car washes are generally unsuitable for trucks, vans, and lorries, as they have height and width restrictions. Using them with larger vehicles can risk damage, incomplete cleaning, or simply being unable to fit properly.
8. They sometimes have long queues
Although automatic car washes are seen as a quick and easy way to get your car cleaned, that’s not always the case. In fact, the most popular ones get so busy that you could end up waiting in long queues.
This is particularly common during peak times, with cars lining up one after another. Even just a few cars opting for premium services can leave you waiting 20-30 minutes or longer. There’s no real solution to this problem, other than estimating when it’s likely to be quiet.
9. They have limited customisation options
Unlike mobile valeting or detailing, automatic car washes are a ‘one-size-fits-all’ service. A lot of extras like clay bar treatment, paint correction, machine polishing, and tyre dressing are not available.
Plus, they have limited customisation options, like choice of soaps, scents, and protectants. Essentially, your car gets the same treatment as every other customer.
10. They often fall into an insurance grey area
We’ve learned that automatic car washes can damaged your vehicle. What’s worse, if your car does get scratched or damaged during a wash, proving liability can be difficult.
In fact, many automatic car washes have wavers that state they not responsible for any damage. Even if you’re able to make a claim, it’s nearly impossible to prove the wash caused the damage, unless you have before and after photos.
Sometimes, insurance companies treat such incidents as ‘wear and tear’ or ‘maintenance-related’, which could leave you out of pocket. In turn, the ‘cheap car wash’ can quickly become expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does an automatic car wash take?
Automatic car washes usually take around 2-10 minutes, depending on the wash type and chosen package. However, this does not include the time spent driving to the facility and potentially waiting in queues.
How much does an automatic car wash cost?
The cost of an automatic car wash varies based on location, service type, and features. Generally, a basic automatic wash ranges from £4-£8, whereas premium packages can cost between £10 and £20.
What is the biggest advantage of an automatic car wash?
The biggest advantage of an automatic car wash is the speed of service and convenience. They offer a quick exterior wash without having to book in advance, making them a popular choice for busy people.
What is the biggest disadvantage of an automatic car wash?
The biggest disadvantage of an automatic car wash is the risk of damage to your car, especially when using them regularly. Not only can they cause scratches and swirl marks, but they can fade or dull the paintwork. Automatic car washes also tend to miss parts of the car, as they simply lack the care and attention of hand washing.
What are some other disadvantages of automatic car washes?
We’ve covered the most common disadvantages of automatic car washes, however there are some others to consider. These include the environmental impact of using water and chemicals, the limitations of extras and add-ons, and the machines themselves being noisy and hazardous to animals.
What is the best alternative to an automatic car wash?
The best alternative to an automatic car wash is hand washing, whether you do it yourself or use a mobile valeting service. Hand washing is a much safer and thorough option, especially when using the two-bucket method, which provides a superior clean that won’t damage your car. When comparing mobile valeting to automatic car washes, a mobile valet always wins.
Are automatic car washes suitable for large vehicles?
No, automatic car washes are not usually suitable for large vehicles. Most have height and width limitations, meaning you’ll be unable to fit trucks, vans, lorries, and in some cases, even SUVs or off-roaders.
Can automatic car washes remove tough stains?
No, automatic car washes often struggle to remove tough stains like bird droppings and tree sap. In this case, pre-treatment or hand washing is recommended.
Are there different types of automatic car washes?
Yes, there are different types of automatic car washes including tunnel washes and touchless washes. Tunnel washes are the most popular in the UK, these are usually found at the roadside, at fuel stations, and supermarkets.
Does the weather affect automatic car washes?
The weather doesn’t usually affect automatic car washes as they are built to withstand tough UK winters. This includes being resistant to rain, wind, and ice. However, on rare occasions, extreme weather conditions like snow or lightening can cause an automatic car wash to be temporarily closed.
Can automatic car washes damage my car?
Yes, automatic car washes can damage your car as they use spinning brushes and high-powered jets, which often recycle water and carry dirt and debris from other vehicles. This can result in scratches and swirl marks, and repeated use can fade or dull paintwork.
Automatic car washes also come with the risk of breaking fragile parts of the car such as the mirrors and windscreen wipers, or scraping rims due to the mechanical tracks. Plus, harsh chemicals and poor drying methods can cause long-term surface damage.
Conclusion
If you just want a quick and basic clean, using an automatic car wash occasionally is generally fine.
However, for more regular cleaning and to avoid the risk of damaging your car, hand washing is the better option. It also delivers a level of clean that no automatic car wash can match.