Home-based used electric car dealer

Private buyers looking for an affordable used electric car, plus the odd trade buyer or other dealer.

You earn the margin between what you pay and what you sell for, plus any paid-for extras such as warranties or home charger sourcing. Revenue is the sale price of each car, so your profit is only a small part of it. Startup costs here include the money needed to buy your first two or three cars.

• Knowing used car values and spotting a good buy
• Understanding electric car basics such as battery health and charging
• Honest, clear dealing with buyers
• Good photos and listing descriptions

• Motor trade insurance, and cover for any cars you store or test drive
• Consumer rights: cars sold by a dealer must be as described and of satisfactory quality, so check your obligations with Trading Standards
• Make sure you advertise as a trader, not as a private seller
• Vehicle history checks for outstanding finance, write-offs and stolen vehicles
• Battery condition is a major cost risk on used electric cars, so get a proper health check before buying
• Selling from home or the roadside may need permission from your landlord, lender or council, so check before you start
• Arranging finance for buyers may need FCA permissions, so check before offering it
• Cash tied up in stock can be slow to recover if a car does not sell
• Monthly revenue is sale value, not profit, and varies a lot depending on how many cars you sell in a month

Startup costs are typically around £20,000 to £60,000, depending on how many cars you buy and what cover you need. Cash tied up in stock can be slow to recover if a car does not sell.

Monthly revenue is typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on how many cars you sell in a month. This is sale value, not profit, and it varies a lot, so costs and unsold stock matter.

Check your motor trade insurance, your consumer rights obligations with Trading Standards, and that you advertise as a trader. Also check vehicle history and battery health, whether selling from home needs permission from your landlord, lender or council, and any FCA permissions for finance.