Car storage in Sussex: Secure, discreet, facility for classic, vintage and luxury cars and motorbikes

There could be many reasons why you need to put a car into storage – lack of garage space, security, convenience or simply because you want to ensure your treasured transport is safe and dry and will still be running for decades to come.

Sam Beckett, the man behind Sussex-based Becketts Car Storage, is a self-confessed car-fanatic, so it was a labour of love that led him to set up the business just over a year ago.

Sam and his family have owned a farm for generations but diversification led them to convert former agricultural buildings into the perfect car storage units.

Ideally situated between London and Brighton, close to Gatwick airport and the Goodwood Estate, it has proved a good decision, with around half of his current floorspace already taken. There is room for even more as Sam is thinking of investing in vertical stacking and using a second building he has now prepared for car storage.

Dry, secure storage

The buildings already had thickly-insulated walls and roof, to a higher spec than is actually needed for car storage, Sam explained. The perfectly level concrete floor was sealed and covered with garage paint to eliminate any concrete dust and all vehicles kept here are given a breathable dust cover and batteries are monitored and charged as part of the storage service.

Discretion is key at this facility, and its exact location known only to its clients to ensure security is maintained. The gated site is only accessible to cars whose number plates are recorded before being permitted, and there is 24-hour CCTV monitoring inside and outside the facilities, and of course, fully comprehensive insurance.

Clients are ID checked before their first visit is allowed. Visiting the site to take out your car is by appointment only, and 72-hours’ notice is needed, giving all customers full peace of mind.

Services offered:

Car storage

From E-Type Jags, to Aston Martins, Porsches to Rolls Royces there are all types of vehicles stored here and the reasons they are there are as varied as the marques themselves. Some are new cars but the majority are from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

You know that your vehicle will be looked after as well as you would do so yourself – as Sam has both a passion for and knowledge of cars, and understands that they are more than just a means of transport for many.

“I’ve always loved cars,” says Sam, who trained as a mechanic. “We have a real mixture of cars here. Some have sentimental value which the owners want to look after for the next generation, which don’t tend to be used much. Others are taken out for special occasions or events. We understand the importance of protecting what can be a major investment, a luxury spend or a family heirloom.

“Some people store cars here and pick them up when they’re back in the UK – being convenient for Gatwick Airport is a real benefit. Providing an MoT service means that whenever an owner wants to take a car out to enjoy it is ready to ‘hit the road’. Other people want to over-winter their cars here to keep them out of rain, snow and salt. We are happy to accommodate short-term storage.”

“The thing I like about some of the older cars is they have a lot of character, they can be more pleasing on the eye,” he says. “People get more enjoyment out of driving certain cars than others.

Some of the cars are taken out for revival meetings – like Goodwood – or classic and vintage runs or shows. Some are only used at weekends, or when the weather is good.

Restoration and repair

If your car needs maintenance work, new upholstery, running repairs or replacements or even a full engine rebuild, Becketts Car Storage can organise this as well. It has partnered with another Sussex company George Edward, who specialise in Porsche, Aston Martin, performance and classic vehicles, offering servicing, diagnostics and restoration services.

“What we have created here is a full service, where people do not have to take their vehicle somewhere else for anything. We can get it done for them in house.” Sam will even take cars for MOT testing, at a garage less than a mile away which his family has personally used for over 40 years.

Car swap

If you want to take your car out but need to leave a vehicle behind, that’s no problem. You can simply swap the cars around until you come back to put your original car back into storage.

Maintenance checks

If you wish your car to remain completely untouched – doing any maintenance yourself – that’s not a problem either.

However, there are various maintenance options should you want them, some of which are complementary with the storage price. A breathable dust cover is provided and batteries maintained. Before you take your car out it will get a pre-check ensuring the car starts, tyres are inflated correctly, windscreen is clean and wheels are free from dust. All of this is included in the storage price which is from £40 per week for cars and £15 for motorbikes.

Other services include valeting, rolling the car to prevent brake lockage and flat spotting (to prolong tyre life). The car can be started and run to temperature, and cooling fans, fluid levels and electrical components checked.

All cars will be wiped down and cleaned of any dirt and dust before they go back into storage, ready to be enjoyed the next time.

Find out more

To find out more and to contact Becketts Car Storage visit the website here, you can email [email protected] or call Sam on 07879 424 702 or 01403 741444.