Thinking of buying house opposite car repair shop...

hiitsmecee

Hi,
We've found a house we love and ticks a lot of our boxes - a large garden, original period features, great location (30-sec walk from a country park). The only issue is that it is directly opposite an accident repair/MOT service centre. It sticks out as it is a door-to-door Victorian-terraced road and it would be the direct view from the front room and main bedroom.
The road is really quiet considering (we've had multiple morning, weekend and evening stakeouts). Their hours are also fairly reasonable: 8-5 pm/weekdays, 8-12 pm on Sat and closed on Sundays & Bank Hol). We have asked a neighbour and the owner about it, who both said they barely notice them there (the owner's answer we took with a grain of salt of course). The neighbour also told us that they only do very light repair work there and that their main shop is much further down the road. 
I wondered if anyone else had or currently has experience of living next to or opposite a small to medium-sized car repair shop? Is it worth ruling out or are we being too picky?
Thanks

jimbog

It wouldn't concern me if it was a relatively small premises (and I'm a stickler about noise). Some historical Streetview views might help to reassure you. I could imagine air compressors used for painting may be loud but they may have a booth inside. Perhaps pop in with a fictitious query about a dent and see what it's like? How long were the vendors living there?

theoretica

Many small car places don't have enough parking - so you get customers parking all along the street.  Is this the case here?  Might it become the case (and noise change) if this business sold to someone else?

davidmcn

Bear in mind the risk with commercial premises isn't necessarily the current business but what might happen to it in the future - they could easily become noisier, or work longer hours, without needing planning consent. Mortgage lenders can be difficult if it's a "bad neighbour" immediately next to the house, so it might rule out some preferred mortgage options.

NameUnavailable

I'd love it! I've got 3 cars (2 classics) so a very local indie garage that I could get to know well would be great!

If you don't buy please send me the details!

hiitsmecee

jimbog said:

Perhaps pop in with a fictitious query about a dent and see what it's like? How long were the vendors living there?

Good idea!
They've been there for just under 15 years, which to us, feels like a good sign and goes with their whole "we hardly notice them" narrative.

hiitsmecee

davidmcn said:

Bear in mind the risk with commercial premises isn't necessarily the current business but what might happen to it in the future 

From doing a street view timeline, the garage has expanded in the last decade - so this is something to consider

AdrianC

TBH, I'd be wondering what would happen in the near future. Garages have been closing hand-over-fist, and will continue to do so.

Which carries a high chance of leaving an unwanted, unoccupied light-industrial plot. Probably a reasonable ground area. Redevelopment to residential...?

hiitsmecee

theoretica said:

Many small car places don't have enough parking - so you get customers parking all along the street.  Is this the case here?  Might it become the case (and noise change) if this business sold to someone else?

We've been told that the bigger service centre down the road takes on the majority of cars being worked on and that the garage owner is apparently a local tool, so hopefully they're considerate about this too

gingerdad

We had a small body shop and workshop next to us at work, it was a nightmare, cars everywhere at different stages of the competition, so much would depend on how much space they have or will they have cars parked all over the road.

So personally if you have your own parking then maybe I'd buy - if you're relying on on-street parking I'd avoid it like a plague.

martindow

hiitsmecee said:

 the garage owner is apparently a local tool,

That sounds like  a worry