trade vet

Accusing me of pedalling bull shit ?

Another sly dig Rory.I know one partnership that lasted 40 years,I also know of dozens of partnerships that failed for various reasons ( I had one ) and Rory remember this ,if you work hard at this job you may become HALF as good a player as me. ........one - nil !

Hi James My first reaction to your intro,I would keep your day job ( presuming you like it )and try and do 2 or 3 per month from home.No premises,no debt,no staff etc.,it is now very hard to make good money and GET AHEAD in this job. Keep asking questions,the guys on here will keep you right....Good Luck.

I think it is remarkable that you guys have kept it together after 6 years.I doubt you will all be ‘laid back’ given your previous occupation.I would imagine with 5 equal partners you could have some big rows when someone cocks up and it costs you a few grand which happens to all of us.Partnerships of 2 people with start ups in this job usually don’t last much longer than 2 years.... I hope you continue on here,we might learn something.

Excuse me...’Team of 5 partners ‘....how does that work ? Sounds like a recipe for disaster in this job.

Some good advice there.Would it be possible for you to explain the details of your case.I have won several cases but have never been able to successfully defend one brought by a punter.

I think company car tax can be very unfair.A Good while ago we sold a few Astra Estates to Police dog handlers.Apparently they were liable and charged company car tax on the perk of taking their Police dog van ( and dog ) to travel to and from work to their home.It was apparently cheaper to buy a car and charge mileage or whatever to their employer when they were called out from home....Hopefully that has now changed.

Absolutely,availible to all members of staff and as a reserve vehicle in case you are called out ‘outside working hours’.

BCA are agents acting for the vendor,any liability rests with the vendor.

There was an interesting tax case in the news years back.A guy had a cigarette vending business in London and his company car was a Lamborghini which he said he only used for 100% business use which would mean he was not liable to pay company car tax.HMRC were wanting to charge company car tax which is based on the list price when new and they argued that the car was clearly availible for personal and non business use.In effect if you make one journey in the tax year which includes an element of private use you are liable for company car tax.Incredibly,HMRC lost the case because the guy successfully argued that he supplied up market London clubs and he had to have this car to operate his business efficiently and on security grounds.It apparently was the only way the doorman would allow him to park directly outside club premises to deliver cigarettes late at night !

If you are self employed and do lots of business miles it is worthwhile becoming a ltd company.For example I know one sole trader who does nearly 1000 miles per week,so he incorporated.He has a nice car which he purchased himself and it costs him nothing to run because he is allowed to charge his company 40/45p per mile to cover fuel,maintenance etc.It must be like earning £10k tax free.

If your business is incorporated you have to be very carefull about using stock,there are pitfalls which can prove to be very expensive if you are assessed by HMRC.....However having limited liability is a good thing for our job.Our home ‘ fleet ‘is personally owned,I use a Rav cheapie,my wife has a descent CClass,daughter has a late upmarket Wrangler ( looks good drives crap ) and we also have a Merc SL ( wife’s old car which I use in the summer to pose in the golf club car park.) I do prefer the Rav which was a swapper.

That is doubtfull.You may be sitting waiting for a while.Some good advice so far.The judge will rely on the proven facts e.g. claimant buys car,car breaks down,claimant has huge bill,defendant won’t pay and sale is covered by CRA.If the defence is something like the car was being used as a Taxi ( by a third party)rally car or that the claimant was adding chip fat to the diesel etc you will have to prove without doubt that was the case.You have to factor in you will probably get points deducted for being a used car dealer,so do not look like one,be polite and look at the judge at all times......I wish you the best of luck.

Wonderfull Mr C,you will be hiring them out next !

Trade must be quiet !

Hi Coastal You might have some good contacts for buying stock from your franchised dealer experience.If you have,that is a big advantage.BTW you don’t need to make a grand per car, just get up and running with your 50 grand and you will find your way.

Hi James We all have the same problem.Getting trade bids on iffy swappers is hard enough but if you put them into the likes of BCA the trade entries section is regarded as the dregs of the sale and it is hard to get bids.You need a franchise dealer entry ticket to attract bids.You may be better trying a small independent auction.We have a trader guy and we often let him hawk them around....Sorry ,not much help.

Try Maximus,he might give you a grand for it !

The bottom line is that today you have to operate your business similar to M&S.It maybe unfair but if you dig your heels in you may get little help from Small Claims Court judges and Tradiing Standards Officers.It is the nature of the business,it is never going to be a respected profession whatever you do.

If it is a sharp one with good history.I would say the very worst price you would get back for it is a grand.It is a lot of machinery,a 70k one would probably do 6 grand.If you can get it in to try and sell for £2500,I would have a go.There are plenty of nostalgic XJ people about.Good Luck.

Mark is doing over 20 per month from a stock of of 20 - 30.He sounds like a star to me,just keep doing what you are doing !

Car Gurus current telly ad ,unique selling point ‘ how long on the forecourt ‘. Big help !

Hi Mark Looks like you have a proper garage,mot station etc.This is an alternative suggestion,I hope you don’t mind,people I know with testing stations are constantly booked out and making money.I see you have 2 units side by side,with your MOT/ servicing expertise have you considered expanding the testing station and putting less effort and investment into car sales.

Typical ‘employee’.....Lateley,I told our guy it is now the done thing and a good idea to emphasise and photograph when a car has 2 keys on the advert.So he does but he also emphasises and photographs the others with one key.

With all this cyber crime,the banks ( who are not regulated) are taking every opportunity to cover themselves against claims from their customers.We requested an extra card reader from our bank and they wanted us to sign some 10 page document in unfatherable ‘legalese ‘ beforehand.....So we didn’t bother.