Online used work van and truck dealer

Tradespeople, small business owners and owner-operators searching online for an affordable work vehicle.

The margin between purchase price and sale price, after inspection, repair, transport and listing costs. Keeping fewer vehicles in stock lowers your risk.

• Researching prices and spotting good deals
• Writing clear listings and taking good photos
• Negotiating
• Organising paperwork and transport

• Selling vehicles regularly usually requires a dealer licence, and selling without one can be penalized, so check your province
• Some provinces require a physical premises or bond even for mostly online dealers
• Check for liens, accident history and odometer problems before buying
• Dealer insurance and storage cover for vehicles you hold
• Sales tax collection and registration rules, which vary by province
• A single bad purchase can wipe out several sales' profit, so start with a small number of vehicles

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $40,000 to $120,000, depending on how many vehicles you buy and what storage you need. Starting with a small number of vehicles may limit the risk from one bad purchase.

Selling vehicles regularly usually requires a dealer licence, and selling without one can be penalized, so check your province. Some provinces also require physical premises or a bond, and sales tax and registration rules vary.

Estimates start from around 15 hours a week at minimum, depending on how many vehicles you source and sell. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on volume and the vehicles you handle.