Living next to a 'used-car' centre/garage?

[surreygirl1987]

A great property has just come up, in our desired area and actually in budget!! But it is right next to a 'used car centre'. From Google maps I can see there's around 100 cars parked outside the (large) building itself. I don't think you can actually see it from the house or garden, as it is across a road and lots of trees (property itself is in a cul de sac). However, I'm wondering about noise? And fumes? Any worse than living near a road? I'm currently being driven mad on my 'quiet' road by a chap revving his really noisy engine at all hours so I don't want to move somewhere even noisier. However, it's been next to impossible to find a property that ticks all the boxes and this one actually does! Any experience living near a used car centre and opinions on purchasing a house next to one? Thanks!

I'd possibly be OK if it was a dealership as they're generally quiet but I once viewed a house that was next to an honest John's type of place and there were rust heaps parked all over the place.

If it's tolerable, then it might mean you get more house for your money than elsewhere.

It'll probably get developed into houses soon enough......

@pickachew oh, no it's definitely not rust heaps! I was just wondering if it would be especially noisy but I can't really think of a reason why it would be?

Yes, I did wonder if that's the reason why it's in budget. As long as it's not massively noisy that's a compromise we'd be more than happy to make!

@rollercoaster1920 I have no idea if that's on the cards but I guess that would be preferable.

I think you need to consider where any workshop might be. For the servicing/washing of cars etc - that would be noisy. Most garages have jet washes and big hoovers to valet the cars before sale etc so that would make noise. I should imagine most used car centres have some sort of workshop and some of the equipment is really noisy, especially drilling tools (thinking getting off wing nuts from tyres etc).

Even if it is "just" used cars they would probably have a workshop as well to do minor repairs etc I guess.

Oh I see. Good point. I guess I need to park up nearby and sit there listening for a bit to find out what the norm is?! Thanks!

It sounds like it's far enough away that even if they had one of those loud industrial jetwash running on the boundary nearest your property (they probably won't) it wouldn't be an issue, but as pp mentioned, worth checking the details, listening for noise etc. I personally wouldn't be concerned.

Many car dealers don't do their own repairs on site they use an established garage for that, but to be certain I would have a closer look.
One thing that I would be mindful of is the parking of customers, would your house be the nearest spot if the was no space on the forecourt?
Valeting wouldn't be hugely noisy and not sure what wheels are done up by wing nuts but having worked near a car dealership for absolutely years it's not noisy at all, good luck!

I would check what planning permission exists for the site - the use maybe fine at the moment, but if there are no restrictions on levels of activity, things could change under new ownership.

Also check the local plan to see if the site is allocated for any other commercial/industrial use in the future.

It shouldn’t be noisy, just make sure they have sufficient customer parking.

@prampushingdownthehighst thanks so much for the PA confused face.

Wheel nut.. sometimes things are typed incorrectly. Everyone would have known what I meant. (sigh).