There comes a point, usually somewhere around car number four or when you start rotating battery trickle chargers like a pit crew when vehicle storage stops being theoretical and starts becoming a line item in your monthly budget. Because while most of us never plan to own too many cars, that’s not how it works. It starts with a second car for weekends, then a third because you couldn’t quite sell the second, and before you know it, you’re running a low-key museum out of your garage. Many of our Milton Keynes-based clients find themselves in precisely that situation.
From Enthusiast to Collector (It’s a Slippery Slope)
The shift from car enthusiast to car collector is rarely deliberate. We often collect the badge in hindsight, when the driveway mysteriously starts overflowing. A car here, a car there, all bought for good reasons at the time. They were interesting. Rare. Too good to pass up. And crucially, it’s not worth selling. That’s how it happens.
The true collectors are easier to spot. They often have a theme, a particular make or era, and possibly a spreadsheet with regularly updated valuations. You’ll find them with a fleet of Ferraris or every RS Ford ever made, all lined up in colour order. But for many of us, it’s less curated and more ‘accidental accumulation’.
What People Don’t Tell You About Collecting Cars
One of the downsides of car collecting is the near-constant communication with the DVLA. Reminders to tax or SORN arrive with ever-increasing regularity. The admin alone is enough to qualify as a part-time job. But here’s the silver lining: with so many cars to share the mileage, none of them wears out, at least not in the conventional sense.
Owning multiple cars means you become an informal fleet manager. You keep track of where they’re parked, which one needs tyres, and which one you last saw six months ago at the back of a lock-up. Of course, at Garage126, we can help you with the maintenance aspects, as we have various mobile service providers visiting us. We share our premises with the Nick Pelosi fleet of trucks, allowing us to transport your car to and from services and MOTs.
One Car is Rarely Enough (And Logic Is Nowhere to Be Seen)
Yes, some cars come close to doing it all. A big S-Class Mercedes-Benz comes close to the complete package with space, pace and grace. But it’s not a Lotus. Or a hotrod. Or a vintage Bentley. It won’t get you into specific events, and it won’t make you the subject of envious glances at a coffee morning in a field.
The reality is that different cars suit different days, and sometimes, the vehicle dictates the occasion. Are you heading to Goodwood Revival? You had better dig out the tweed and matching Jaguar. Planning to arrive at a Supercar Sunday? It’s best not to bring the Volvo estate.
Why It’s Worth It (Even If Your Neighbours Think You’re Mad)
The joys of over-ownership are many. There’s a car for every mood, every weather forecast, every fictional road trip you might dream up. Need to get somewhere? Forget the courtesy car; the Alfa is ready and willing. You’ll also notice collectors (or acquirers) tend to name their vehicles and acquire number plates that make sense only to them. It’s not eccentric; it’s just necessary when “the BMW” could refer to five different vehicles.
The Hidden Joys of Owning Too Many Cars (And Why Vehicle Storage Matters)
Owning more cars than you strictly need isn’t always sensible, but it is deeply enjoyable. From variety to spontaneity to the sheer satisfaction of opening the garage and making a choice, it’s a way of life. Just make sure your vehicle storage situation can keep up with the demand. After all, even your cars need somewhere safe to sleep.
If you’re running out of space or want somewhere secure and well looked-after to keep your collection ticking over, we’d be happy to help. Our Milton Keynes facility is purpose-built for owners like you, and we’re always happy to chat cars. Contact us HERE.