Trade parts delivery to local garages

Independent garages, mobile mechanics, MOT and service centres, and small fleet operators.

You buy in bulk at trade prices and sell to workshops at a margin, usually on account with weekly or monthly invoices. Speed and reliability let you win repeat business.

• Good parts knowledge
• Sales and relationship building with workshops
• Stock control and basic bookkeeping
• Reliable driving and route planning

• Late-paying accounts can hurt cash flow, so set credit limits and check new customers
• Motor trade or goods-in-transit and hire-and-reward van insurance, plus public liability and product liability cover
• Unsold or slow-moving stock ties up money, so start with a narrow range
• Carrying oils and aerosols may bring rules on transporting dangerous goods, so check the guidance
• Larger chains and online wholesalers compete on price, so check your margins
• Think about VAT registration as sales grow

Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £20,000, depending on the van and how much stock you carry. Starting with a narrow range may help, as slow-moving stock ties up money.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how many garage accounts you win and the range you supply. That is an estimate of revenue, not profit, and competition on price may affect your margins.

Check motor trade or goods-in-transit and hire-and-reward van insurance, plus public and product liability cover. Also check rules on transporting oils and aerosols, set credit limits for late-paying accounts, and think about VAT registration as sales grow.