The inside of a vehicle can be an attractive place for rodents like mice, squirrels, and rats. 

Several aspects of a car, like warmth from the engine compartment, safety from predators, or the odors of leftover food, entice rodents to take up residence inside.

And besides those primary reasons, other qualities of vehicles also add to the appeal that makes rodents seek shelter there. 

During cold weather months, the warmth from your car engine bay is an inviting area for rodents. By gnawing away at different materials, rodents can make nests, providing them with protection from freezing temperatures.

And if you ever eat inside of your vehicle, the smell of leftover wrappers or scraps lets rodents know of a potential food source. After many rodents inhabit a car for some time, the odors they leave behind signal others of a viable feeding location.

The parking location of a car also plays a significant role in whether rodents find it appealing. Vehicles near food sources like dumpsters or bird feeders further attract rodents to seek sustenance inside. Or those parked near ideal nesting spots also run a higher risk of rodent infestation. 

Recently manufactured vehicles have a built-in quality that, in all honesty, unfortunately, attracts mice and rats. With automakers using bioplastics for both cost and environmental reasons, rodents find the wiring harnesses on today's cars especially appealing. That's because some bio-plastics contain a soy derivative, signaling mice, rats, and squirrels to a potential food course. 

Buying a used vehicle can save you thousands versus purchasing a new car, but finding a quality pre-owned vehicle with no previous damage — or surprise stowaways — can be a hassle. Not only that but driving around town and looking at different cars is time-consuming and may not be productive. You can buy any of Shift's cars directly online from the comfort of your home, know it has no hidden issues (from our 150-point inspection) and get a fair, up-front price. Shift's website has a large selection of fully inspected cars located across the country that are ready to go. The website is user-friendly, and you'll be able to find various makes and models to suit your needs and budget. Whether you need the utility of a Ford F-150 or the excellent fuel economy of a Toyota Prius, Shift has what you need.

Rodents can harm vehicles both mechanically and cosmetically and cause health and safety issues.

Broken mechanical components caused by rodents range from mundane and straightforward to complex and problematic. 

For instance, a chewed-through wire may result in the infotainment system not turning on. While that's inconvenient, it doesn't pose a significant safety issue. 

But if a rodent builds a nest in the engine bay, causing your motor to malfunction, the result could be thousands in repairs not covered by car insurance.

And a braking system that doesn't work correctly due to rodent damage represents a serious safety issue for you and your passengers.

Mice and rats harbor several diseases, like salmonella and the hantavirus. And since rodents commonly inhabit car air filters, you might push contaminated particles through the air vents whenever you turn on the ventilation system. And even if specific rodents don't have a disease, other things left behind by rodents like dander, droppings, or dirt can cause allergies.

And rodents can also scratch and claw at various locations around your vehicle, reducing its visual appeal. 

If you suspect a rodent infestation, some signs to look out for are nesting materials like leaves or branches, chewed upholstery and wires, foul odors, or gathered-up pet food.

Rodents like mice, squirrels, and rats can cause significant, expensive damage that insurance may not cover. But there are several tried and true methods for keeping them away from your vehicle.

Here are seven trusted rodent deterrents:

• Essential oils like peppermint oil and cayenne pepper oil are natural rodent repellents. You can spray them in various areas around your car to keep rodents away. Or, for even more deterrence, you can use soaked cotton balls placed in specific places.
• Since rodents flock to areas like grass or woodlands, parking your vehicle inside a garage gives you an extra layer of security. 
• Check to close all windows and sunroofs at night. Even a crack in the window could prove enticing for a rodent, so keeping them shut offers solid protection.
• Spread mulch, sawdust, or cedar shavings near your car. The scent of cedar consists of phenols that drive away rodents, making for a natural solution to the problem. An added benefit of cedar is it also repels snakes, fleas, and cockroaches. Several types of cedar exist, with Western Red Cedar proving to be the best rodent deterrent. 
• You can wrap the wiring in your vehicle with rodent-repelling tape. Honda offers a special tape containing capsaicin, a substance found in hot peppers that rodents shy away from. 
• Regularly cleaning up the inside of your vehicle of trash, wrappers, and food scraps limit any odors that might attract rodents seeking subsistence. 
• If you typically park outdoors, rotating the space you occupy makes your vehicle less inviting and suitable for rodents. 

When you're in the market for a used vehicle, finding a seller you trust can be a challenge. Not only do you need a quality pre-owned car that's free from rodent damage or transmission issues, but you also want a hassle-free experience. Shift makes buying your next vehicle easy. We offer fair, no-haggle prices driven by powerful machine learning algorithms and tons of data. And with our no-pressure sales environment, there's no stressful negotiating. Once you purchase a car from Shift, it's good to go for the long haul with one of our best-in-industry service contracts. With a Shift Vehicle Protection plan, not only are essential components covered, but you also receive roadside assistance if you run into trouble. Wherever you happen to be in the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada, help is just a toll-free phone call away, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.