The latest research by eBay reveals that nearly two-thirds of UK motorists (65%) would be willing to consider moving house for the perfect garage, and they would be prepared to pay 4.9% over a property’s asking price for the ideal layout. This research, conducted with 2,000 car enthusiasts, found that while 91% of respondents had a garage big enough to house a car, only half (51%) actually used their garage for this purpose due to clutter, which prevents 60% of motorists from making the best use of the space available.
Inspired by these findings, eBay worked with architectural studio, Bindloss Dawes, to envision how the UK’s ultimate garage would look. This dream design includes practical touches such as custom toolboxes and a hydraulic lift for repairs, a mini kitchen and jukebox to keep car aficionados fed and entertained, and a large tool chest for storage, essential for car repairs and fine-tuning.
According to the research, over 42% of homeowners feel that their current garage stops them from fulfilling their passion for cars, and more than half (64%) of respondents would be more likely to own a classic car if they had a garage to store it in.
The ultimate garage design would also include built-in drainage for car washing, a full body workshop, ventilation for spray painting, and eco-friendly features. Additionally, respondents expressed a desire for the garage to be soundproof and eco-friendly.
The study also revealed that the iconic Aston Martin DB5 (22%) is the car respondents most wanted to have in their perfect garage, followed by the Jaguar E-type (18%), Porsche 911 (17%), Ford Mustang (17%), and the Audi R8 (17%).
Laura Richards, Category Lead – Vehicle Parts and Accessories eBay UK Ltd, noted that “the result of our mission to imagine the perfect garage has made it evident that the automotive enthusiast spirit runs deep in the UK, with so many dream features centring on the tools and vehicles themselves.”
Top 40 features of the perfect garage:
- Large tool chest for storage
- Space efficient storage options
- High-level security system
- A fridge/freezer
- Complete selection of hand tools essential for car repairs/fine-tuning
- Built-in drainage so you can wash your car indoors
- Car charging port
- Superfast internet
- Tire changer
- Air compressor
- Custom tool cabinets
- Every socket wrench available
- Eco-friendly heating and air conditioning to ensure cars are stored at the perfect temperature
- Task lighting
- A hydraulic car lift
- Mini kitchen
- A top of the range car diagnostics tool
- Jukebox
- Pool/snooker table
- Vehicle inspection pit
- A bar with draught beer on tap
- Voice-activated lighting
- Full body workshop
- Vehicle inspection pit/grease pit
- Decorative lighting
- Discrete bicycle storage
- A cinema screen and projector
- Arcade machines
- Petrol/diesel pump
- Ventilation for spray painting/use of solvent-based products
- Wheel balancer
- Welding equipment
- Record player
- Engine hoists
- Plants
- Framed artworks
- Latest game consoles
- La-Z-Boy recliner
- A Bat Cave-style turntable