Oh, the Belgian car world – a place where the sky usually plays tricks with its endless drizzle and sudden downpours, and where buying a used car feels like a game of Russian roulette: will this thing leak like a sieve or not? But hold on a second, because in the flat polderland of Lokeren, they’ve come up with something that turns everything upside down. Van Mossel, those tireless car barons from the south of the country, have plonked down the biggest indoor used car centre in all of Belgium. And trust me, this isn’t empty bragging; it’s a cathedral for car lovers, where you can browse second-hand rides without your shoes sinking into mud or your hair getting soaked.
Let’s start at the beginning, because this isn’t some half-baked showroom, but a proper palace of polished steel and gleaming chrome. The place spans a whopping 15,000 square metres – bigger than most supermarkets where you park your shopping trolley. Enough space for 1,200 used cars, from nippy little city runners to hulking SUVs that look like they could swallow an elephant whole. And the best part? Everything’s safe and dry indoors, under a roof so high you could probably park a Boeing under it without scraping the wings. No more faffing with tarps, no more debates about “the paint’s a bit dull from the sun” – here, it’s pure joy, with spotlights highlighting every scratch like it’s a work of art.
Van Mossel, those clever folks who’ve been dominating the car trade for years with their network of dealerships, didn’t do this by halves. They poured a fortune into it – we’re talking millions of euros – and the result is a facility that looks like a cross between an airport terminal and a futuristic car show. You drive in through a spacious ramp, park your own banger in one of the hundreds of spaces (yes, they thought of everything), and the adventure begins. A team of 25 staff is on hand, not the grumpy sort who brush you off with a vague “give it a go,” but proper experts who guide you through the maze of engines. And the cars? They’re not just pulled out of a ditch; they come from all over Europe, thoroughly checked, and priced so your wallet doesn’t burst into tears.
But let’s be real: what makes this indoor marvel not just a giant garage, but a proper revolution? For the first time in the history of Belgium’s used car trade, you can inspect cars without the weather playing spoilsport. Picture this – okay, not too much, but still – you decide to upgrade your trusty old steed on a rainy afternoon, and instead of wading through puddles, you’re strolling across a floor so clean you’d swear they vacuum it daily. There’s even an indoor test track for those who can’t wait to slam the accelerator. And yes, there’s coffee, because who buys a car on an empty stomach? It’s all thought out, efficient, with a touch of luxury you’d usually only find in German brochures.
The opening? That was a spectacle in itself, with ribbons snipped by suits who looked like they’d just stepped out of a board meeting. The Van Mossel bosses were beaming, and rightly so – this is their crown jewel in a portfolio already brimming with successes. They didn’t build it just to sell cars – oh no, this is a statement. In an age obsessed with electric dreams and CO2 taxes, this centre positions itself as the smart pitstop: buy a reliable used car, drive it for a bit, and upgrade to something green later. Sustainable? Absolutely, because less outdoor parking means less wear and tear, and that’s good for the planet – or at least for your peace of mind.
And the future? Van Mossel is already drooling over expansions: more brands, smarter tech like augmented reality scans to peek under the bonnet without getting your hands dirty, and maybe even a corner for youngtimers, because who wouldn’t want to snag a classic without rust staining their fingers? Lokeren, that quiet little town by the Scheldt, is now the Mecca for car dealers. Swing by – it’s barely half an hour from Antwerp, closer than you think. You’ll walk in a sceptic and leave with a grin and a set of keys, knowing you haven’t been taken for a ride.
In short, this indoor used car centre is proof that the Belgians, despite our image of fries and beer, can build with the best of them. It’s big, it’s brilliant, and it makes buying a car exciting again – without the wet socks.
And if all this gets you in the mood for something that truly sparks, without exhaust fumes or fuel bills, take a look at our marketplace. There, you can search for and buy 100% electric cars that’ll give your life a proper jolt. Dive in at https://volty.be/nl/buy/cars/overview/.
