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May 22, 2023
4 min read

Mobile Ozone Odour Removal: Eliminating Vehicle Smells at the Molecular Level

Air fresheners mask odours. Ozone destroys them. Learn how MMCC's mobile ozone treatment eliminates cigarette smoke, pet smells, and food odours from fleet vehicles permanently.

Fleet vehicles develop odours. It is inevitable. Shared pool cars accumulate the combined residue of every driver’s habits. Company cars used for long commutes absorb food smells, coffee spills, and the occasional cigarette. Vehicles returned from employees who smoke or travel with pets can be particularly challenging.

Air fresheners do not solve this problem. They add a competing scent that wears off in days, leaving the original odour untouched. Professional ozone treatment eliminates odours at the molecular level — permanently.

How Ozone Odour Removal Works

The Chemistry

Ozone (O₃) is a naturally occurring molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. It is one of the most powerful oxidising agents available and is widely used in water purification, food processing, and medical sterilisation.

When introduced into a vehicle cabin, ozone molecules react with odour-causing compounds — breaking their molecular structure and converting them into harmless, odourless byproducts. This is not masking. This is molecular destruction.

The Process

Step 1 — Preparation: The vehicle interior is cleaned to remove surface sources of odour (food debris, stains, visible contamination). This ensures the ozone treatment targets embedded odours rather than surface dirt.

Step 2 — Ozone Generation: A professional-grade ozone generator is placed inside the vehicle with windows and doors sealed. The generator produces concentrated O₃ that fills the entire cabin.

Step 3 — Penetration: Over approximately 60 minutes, ozone penetrates every surface — fabric seats, carpet fibres, headliner material, air conditioning ducts, and foam padding. It reaches areas that no cleaning cloth or vacuum can access.

Step 4 — Oxidation: Ozone molecules react with and destroy odour compounds wherever they are embedded. Cigarette tar residue in upholstery, bacteria in air vents, mould spores in carpet underlay — all are oxidised.

Step 5 — Dissipation: After treatment, the vehicle is ventilated. Ozone naturally reverts to standard oxygen (O₂) within 30–60 minutes, leaving no chemical residue, no artificial fragrance — just clean, neutral air.

What Ozone Removes

Odour SourceEffectiveness
Cigarette and cigar smokeExcellent — destroys tar residue in fabrics
Cannabis and vape residueExcellent
Pet odours (urine, wet dog)Excellent
Food and drink spillsExcellent
Mildew and mouldExcellent — kills spores and eliminates smell
VomitExcellent (after surface cleaning)
General musty/stale smellExcellent

Fleet Applications

Pool Car Refresh

Shared pool cars absorb odours from every driver. Monthly or quarterly ozone treatment keeps the cabin fresh and prevents odour accumulation.

Pre-Return Preparation

Vehicles approaching lease return or resale benefit enormously from ozone treatment. A vehicle that smells clean and neutral makes a significantly better impression than one with lingering odours — and avoids potential deductions for interior condition.

Employee Complaint Resolution

When an employee reports a smell in their company car, ozone treatment resolves it in a single visit. No repeated cleaning attempts. No temporary fixes.

Used Vehicle Acquisition

Vehicles acquired for the fleet from auction or trade-in may carry odours from previous owners. Ozone treatment eliminates these before the vehicle enters service.

Pricing and Service

MMCC delivers mobile ozone odour removal across London and the Home Counties. The service is performed at your premises — no need to transport vehicles to a facility.

  • Small vehicles (A&B Class): £50
  • Medium/Large vehicles (C, D, E Class): £55
  • SUVs and MPVs: £60

Treatment takes approximately 60–90 minutes per vehicle.

Book Ozone Odour Removal →