To say my car has been stood for nigh on 4 years - aside from a drive to work 2 years ago where it has remained since - the Coupe passed its MOT with only an advisory for a tyre. An indicator bulb was out, but I sorted that there and then.
The underside of the car looked to be in good order too, I had a good look round it whilst it was in the air.
Most surprising was how it flew through the emissions with flying colours

Chuffed to bits, must get out and use it once I get a pair of new boots on the rear.... BUT... Just when you think you have got away with a relatively easy MOT, you put your head back in Coupe mode and the first thing to pop into my head was belts! They were last done about 1000 miles ago, but that was getting on for 5 years ago now, so that is another priority!

Great result

Good news on the new MOT.
Interesting dilemma re the belts.
Presumably, their condition has no bearing?

If it were not for past experience, I would probably risk it for a good few thousand miles, but I have had 2 very close calls with severed belts, it would be about right for me to be 3rd time unlucky.

To look at the belts, they seem brand new, its the same with the tyre, bags of tread on it but perished side wall... Use your Cars people they dont like being stood.

Great to hear it sailed through the MOT.

Just in time for spring / summer.

Will you be able to get to any meets?

Personally I would just do the the aux belts given the car has done 1K miles since the last change, if a visual inspection reveals the main 'looks' good (unless you are heavily modified), despite being stood I cannot remember a main belt going on a standard or Gtec1 chipped car can you? Obviously there is a risk but in my view far less than if you had been using the car everyday for the last 5 years (with cold starts, traffic light Grand Prix's and oil contamination)

Tyres most damage stood up outside is from UV light, if they passed their MoT I would be using those too until the Summer at least. Haven't seen your tyres but usual minor degregation is superficial and to the surface.

The main reason I havent been to any meets for a few years is due to working weekends, but I am hoping to address this in the coming months and get along to the odd event later in the year.

If it wasnt for the fact I have had two very near misses with the belts, I would be inclined to agree with you Submariner, but these pictures show why I am airing on the cautious side.

As for the tyres, the sidewalls have quite bad cracks rather than just slight crazing, although they are not deep, I intend to use the car for long distance motorway journeys so for the sake of £55 a corner, I will get 2 new rears for piece of mind.

I think on the whole, I have got away quite lightly after the car has stood for so long.

I took the Coupe home last night, the first trip it has had for over 2 years since being sat on the pitch. I gave her a good polish and clean up, but I was expecting the worst on the drive home, however, she made it home and back to work this morning without issue. Had a scare this morning when I was greeted by a big puddle on the drive, but after a quick inspection, it turns out that the windscreen washer bottle has a minor leak!

Daughter enjoyed the trip to school too!

I have missed that 5 cylinder burble!