If you’ve found signs of rats in your car — chewed wires, droppings on the floor, or that strange, musty smell — you’re not alone. It’s more common than people think, especially if your car’s parked outside or left unused for a while. Rats don’t care whether it’s a garage, a field, or a side street. If they can find shelter and something to chew, they’ll move in — even if it’s under your bonnet.

Once they’re in, they can do a lot of damage. They chew wires, build nests, tear through insulation, and leave urine and droppings behind. And if you don’t deal with it properly, they’ll come back — or worse, they’ll stay.

So let’s go through everything you need to know. Step by step.

Why would a rat choose to live in your car?

Rats don’t just crawl into cars for fun. They’re looking for somewhere warm, dry, and quiet. Cars that aren’t driven often are perfect — especially if the weather’s cold or wet.

Here’s what draws them in:

• Shelter: Cars offer tight, enclosed spaces that feel safe
• Warmth: The engine bay stays warm long after the car’s turned off
• Materials: Seat foam, filters, insulation — they all make good nesting material
• Smells: Food wrappers, spilt drinks, or pet food left behind are a big lure

They usually enter through gaps underneath the car or around the wheel arches. Once they’re in, they can crawl into the engine bay, cabin air filters, and even behind the dashboard.

How do you know if rats are living in your car?

Sometimes, the signs are clear. Other times, it’s subtle. But if you know what to look for, you’ll catch it early.

Start by checking these areas:

• The engine bay — look near the battery, wiring, and air filter
• The boot — especially in cars that store food or gear
• The cabin — under seats, behind floor mats, and near the glovebox

Things you might notice:

• Chewed wires or hoses
• Droppings (small, dark pellets)
• Shredded paper or plastic
• A musky or urine-like smell
• Nests made from fabric or insulation
• Strange noises when you start the car

If your car’s been sitting for more than a few days, especially in winter, it’s worth giving it a once-over before starting it.

What’s the first thing you should do?

As soon as you spot the signs, stop using the car — at least until you’ve checked for damage. Driving with chewed wires or loose insulation can lead to serious problems, including electrical faults or engine overheating.

Start here:

1. Open the bonnet and look for nests or chewed wires.
2. Remove any visible debris — carefully and with gloves.
3. Check for droppings or smell inside the car.
4. Do a walkaround — look underneath and around the tyres.

If you find damage to wiring, don’t risk starting the car. Have it towed to a mechanic or arrange a mobile visit.

How can you remove the rats safely?

Now that you know they’re there, the goal is to get them out. You want to make the car unliveable for rats without damaging it or harming anything else nearby.

Here’s what works best:

1. Clear the nesting areas

Put on gloves and a mask. Remove nests, droppings, and shredded materials. Bag it all securely. Wipe down the area with disinfectant.

Be thorough — if anything’s left behind, the scent may attract rats back.

2. Use traps around the car

Set up snap traps or baited boxes under the car, near the tyres or engine. Peanut butter or dry pet food works well as bait.

Avoid traps inside the car — they’re hard to place safely and might not be effective in tight spaces.

3. Use scent deterrents

Rats hate strong smells. You can try:

• Peppermint oil on cotton balls (placed near the engine or tyres)
• Mothballs (only outside the cabin — not safe for humans to inhale)
• Commercial rodent repellents (sprays or pouches designed for vehicles)

You’ll need to reapply scents regularly. Rain or heat can wear them off.

4. Leave the bonnet open (if it’s safe)

If your car’s in a secure area, leaving the bonnet open can make the engine bay feel exposed. Rats like darkness and safety. If the space feels too open, they’re less likely to stay.

What if you’ve already got damage?

If rats have chewed your wires, filters, or seat fabric, you’ll want to get the car checked by a mechanic. Some problems aren’t visible right away — but they can lead to bigger issues later.

Common damage includes:

• Broken wiring harnesses
• Chewed coolant or fuel hoses
• Clogged air filters from nesting
• Faulty sensors due to damaged connectors

Ask the mechanic to look for droppings or urine stains inside the dash area too. If urine gets into the vents, the smell can linger and spread when the heater’s on.

How do you stop them coming back?

Once you’ve removed the rats and fixed the damage, the real challenge is keeping them out for good. Rats are creatures of habit. If they liked your car once, they might try again — unless you make it less appealing.

These changes help:

Park in a different spot

If you always park in the same corner, and that spot is near bins, compost, or hedges, try moving the car somewhere else — even just a few metres.

Keep the area clean

Don’t leave food wrappers, crumbs, or spilt drinks in the car. Wipe down surfaces regularly and hoover the seats and mats.

Drive the car more often

Rats are more likely to move in when a car’s still. Just running it for 10–15 minutes every few days helps keep them away.

Use deterrent lighting

Motion-activated lights in your driveway or garage can scare rats off before they get close.

Try ultrasonic devices

Some people place plug-in devices near their garage or drive that emit high-frequency sounds. They’re not a guaranteed fix, but they can add another layer of protection.

Can rats get into cars even when they’re locked?

Yes. Rats don’t need the doors to be open. They climb in through the wheel wells, vents, or gaps near the engine. Some crawl up from underneath and find their way into the cabin through the ventilation system or loose panels.

Locking the car keeps people out, not rats.

If you’ve got an older car with gaps in the underbody or loose wheel arch lining, that’s worth sealing. You can also use fine metal mesh to cover vents (just make sure airflow isn’t blocked).

Should you use poison?

You might be tempted to throw down some poison and be done with it — but think carefully. Poisoned rats don’t always die outside the car. They may crawl into a panel or behind the dash, and the smell of decay can be worse than the original problem.

Also, poisons aren’t selective. If a neighbour’s cat or a wild animal finds the bait, they can suffer too. Unless you’re using poison in a locked bait station, under the guidance of a pest control professional, it’s better to use traps.

When should you call a pest controller?

If the rats keep coming back, or if you’ve tried everything and the problem’s getting worse, it’s time to call someone in.

A pest control professional can:

• Set up tamper-proof bait stations
• Trace where the rats are coming from
• Use safe treatments inside garages or driveways
• Recommend long-term prevention options

They’ll also help you deal with any rats still living inside the car, especially if they’ve nested deep in the dash or vents.

How can you protect a car in storage?

If you’re storing a car for a long time — in a garage, on a drive, or in a field — rats are more likely to move in. You’ll need to go a bit further to keep them out.

Try this:

• Lift the car on ramps or axle stands (rats can’t climb as easily)
• Place traps or scent deterrents around the perimeter
• Remove any food or paper from inside the cabin
• Seal the air intake with steel mesh (remove it before driving)
• Cover the car with a breathable, snug-fitting cover

Check the car weekly if you can. Even small signs — like droppings or chewed plastic — are easier to deal with early.

Final thoughts

Getting rid of rats living in your car can feel frustrating, especially when it keeps happening. But once you know how they got in and what they’re after, you can make the car less appealing — and get ahead of the problem.

You start by cleaning the area, setting traps, and clearing nests. Then you check the wiring, look for damage, and fix what you find. Finally, you keep it clean, move it often, and make changes to stop them coming back.

With a bit of patience — and a few simple habits — you can get your car back to normal and keep it that way.