Racing parts shop with trackside sales

Local club racers, track day regulars, car clubs and small tuning workshops.

You earn a margin on parts sold over the counter, online and at events, and may add fitting advice or a booking service with a local workshop.

• Strong product knowledge of performance parts
• Stock control and buying
• Talking to customers and building a regular following

• Check planning use and business rates for any unit, and what your lease requires
• Stock is a big cost, so start small and avoid slow-selling lines
• Public liability, product liability and stock insurance, which you should ask an insurer about
• Trading at events may need permission from organisers, and street trading rules can apply, so check with the council
• Safety-critical parts need clear advice and records, so be careful about fitting claims
• Check what you must do on waste for items like oil and old parts

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £10,000 to £50,000, depending on the unit, your lease and how much stock you buy. Stock is a big cost, so start small and avoid slow-selling lines.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your location, range, online orders and how many track days and car meets you attend. These figures are revenue, not profit.

Check planning use, business rates and lease requirements for any unit. Ask an insurer about public liability, product liability and stock cover, check event permission and street trading rules with the council, and check your waste duties for oil and old parts.