Online used car dealer, by appointment

Private buyers who found the car online, and sellers who want to trade in or sell their car quickly.

You earn the gap between what you pay for each car, including preparation, and what you sell it for. Low overheads mean you keep more of each sale than a big yard would.

• Spotting good-value cars
• Writing honest listings and taking good photos
• Negotiating
• Keeping accurate records

• A motor dealer or car trader licence is generally needed if you trade regularly, and rules and thresholds differ by state, so check with your state's licensing body
• Some states require approved premises or limit home-based dealing, and your council may need to approve running a business from home
• Statutory warranty, disclosure and cooling-off rules, and checking for finance owing or written-off history (e.g. PPSR search)
• Online scams and payment fraud, so use secure payment methods and keep records
• Public liability and motor trader's insurance, and where you'll safely store and test drive cars
• Arranging finance may need an Australian Credit Licence or a referral arrangement, so check with ASIC

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $80,000, depending on how many cars you stock, licensing, insurance and where you store and test drive them. Most of the money is tied up in your stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on how many cars you sell and their prices. This is revenue, not profit, because car purchase costs are significant. Hours start at about 20 per week.

A motor dealer or car trader licence is generally needed if you trade regularly, with rules differing by state, so check with your state's licensing body. Also check council approval for home-based dealing, statutory warranty and cooling-off rules, and PPSR searches.