Kieran

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Posts posted by Kieran

  2. Posted · Edited by Kieran

    Can anyone recommend any insurance companies I can try to get quotes from? I'm 21 (will be 22 by the time the policy starts). Tried 6/7 companies so far, only one has been able to provide a quote (TradeX through Clegg Gifford Insurance) which was fairly reasonable given my age, just trying to see if I can try any other places before making a decision.

    Any suggestions would be appreciated!

  4. Posted

    11 hours ago, MarkTVS said:

    How much are you willing to spend? We have about 5/6 scan tools and no one is perfect at everything. Certain ones are better at certain cars etc. 
     

    My most commonly used one is an Autel Maxi system. It was circa £1500 but you can get imported ones on eBay for about £700 though I couldn’t tell you if they’re the same or not.

    Great thanks, I've been looking at Autel Maxi! 

     

    10 hours ago, Nick M.K. said:

    In 2014 I spent £900 on the entry level Snap On Ethos. 

    This has probably been the best £900 I spent on anything, for a dealer that has no workshop that machine has served me really well, it's very fast and codes are very accurate, it does no programming though. 

    I now have a new Launch and that's OK but slower than the Snap On and the menu layout is a mess. It has many functions but it takes me forever to discover them. BMW Service reset for example has menu that only says BMW CBS. Who new that meant condition based servicing... 

    Great thanks

     

    10 hours ago, metcars said:

    Personally, I think that you need a decent scanner to do this job nowadays. They are way too useful to ignore. But leave spending big bucks to your mechanic. Remember it’s just a tool, having a scalpel doesn’t make you a surgeon!

    Yeah definitely, even the one I have now has been very helpful. Just could do with the extra features that I don't currently have :) 

  6. Posted

    Hi everyone, does anyone have any recommendations on companies to try for Motor Trade Insurance for a 21 year old? Struggling to find anywhere that'll even quote me tried contacting most of the companies on first couple pages on Google search, but not had any luck so far. Also, I know it's a very broad question (due to the amount of variables), but what should I be expecting to pay if I can find anywhere that'll insure me, £3k, 4k, 5k...? Thanks in advance! 

     

  7. Posted

    Just now, J.T said:

    As others have said selling a car stating 'sold as seen' is a big no no, you can sell cars like that without any warranty but you can't take away the customers consumer rights. 

    It would be probably cheaper to get a new MOT on it from a tester that is a bit more reasonable, I think the MOT test should be if oil drips on the head of the MOT tester then that is an oil leak but if it's a slight misting of oil because it's a second hand car and perfectly normal then it shouldn't even be mentioned. 

    That's exactly what I mean by like an issue that doesn't really effect the car, but yeah that seems like a good way to go as well, thank you.

  8. Posted · Edited by Kieran

    3 minutes ago, NOACROSS said:

    Hi Keiren,  I’ll bite.  If you’re upfront about the issues, and spell it out in the advert and document it at sale, getting the punter to sign to say they are aware and understand and that you won’t entertain any comebacks etc, then you’re still officially ***ked if they kick up a fuss. After all, we are the ‘professional’ motor trader and they are the poor old had-over innocent customer. 
     

    However, that’s the worst case scenario. Most people are normal and if you’re up front with them, you will normally be fine. From time to time however....

    On the whole, I would try not to sweat every detail.  Just get on with it and treat as you would like to be treated etc. 
    Better off selling well prepared cars with a new mot and all that  

    Good luck. 

    Great thank you! Pretty much what I expected. Yeah definitely don't aim to sell a car that isn't mechanically sound, but I'm sure there'll be one that ends up having an issue which doesn't effect the car and won't be worth putting right - so just wanted to see if it's a case of getting scrapped/auctioned or if we'd be in a position to sell it still.

  9. Posted

    2 minutes ago, MattR said:

    A remarkably specific circumstance for a hypothetical question.........

    Just to put into context is all. If you're trying to suggest I'm seeking advice here for an actual issue you'd be wrong, I haven't even started trading cars yet - just trying to cover all bases so I have the best understanding possible, will help aid decisions when buying cars to sell and what to do with px'ed cars etc...

  10. Posted · Edited by Kieran

    Hi guys! Another question/query. If you sell a car that has issues, and the customer knows of these issues before buying it, are you still liable for those issues?

    For example, say I've got a very cheap, sub £1k car that has a light oil leak, which has been highlighted as an advisory on an MOT. It might not be worth fixing, but the car drives well, and it's it's only a very minor leak, but it isn't worth fixing, let's say it costs £500 to fix. If this is highlighted to the customer before they buy it and they're okay with it, are you, the dealer, still liable for that problem (even if the customer accept/acknowledge the problem before agreeing to buy it)?

    Obviously this isn't something I plan to do and probably something that isn't recommended, just curious as to what the answer is

  12. Posted

    Thank you everyone for the advice! Wasn’t expecting this many responses haha, I really appreciate it. 
     

    One question I have is, are motor traders allowed to sell a car “sold as seen” so you have no responsibility for the condition of it? Say you have a scenario where you’ve got a car that’s been part ex’d and it’s not something you would usually sell or clearly has a problem - or is it just a case of sending it off to an auction? 

    • Haha 1

  13. Posted · Edited by Kieran

    19 minutes ago, TangoVictor32 said:

    I would personally stick to the detailing body shop side of things and become a total pro at it.

    Why?

    Because there's a lack of bodyshops about and the ones that are about mess you about on time / quality or money.

    This trade is lacking good quality body workers unless you go to the arm and leg insurance type places.

    Thanks for the advice, I won't be completely moving away from detailing to do this - if anything it'll be a bit of a USP for the car sales, especially once/if we get into higher value cars.

     

    18 minutes ago, David Ayers said:

    Welcome.

    Have you seen the top of the home page? How to become a car dealer?

    Worth a read.

    I haven't! Thanks, will look at that!

     

    8 minutes ago, trade vet said:

    Sorry but my view is different.If the valeting/ detailing business works,getting into retailing from the same premises may be a distraction.Involving 2 others with no experience will not help and will substantially increase your workload and you will likely fall out.OK using your Dad as he should work for next to nothing.While it is easy to sell cars,the bottom line is that even if you have years of experience,it is now very hard to make any decent money in this job.

    Thanks, really appreciate the different view. I think car sales and detailing can go hand in hand, if done and marketed correctly. As above, it can almost be a bit of a USP to the car sales, as when we get into higher value cars they'll be prepped to a very high quality. Then when a car is sold we'd be able to offer protection packages, etc...

    The detailing business does work, but I'm always looking on ways to improve, grow and I want to have my eggs in different baskets. 

  15. Posted

    Just now, JA Trader said:

    Sorry i wasn't quite clear.

    Having your dad on the policy is perfectly fine in the way your are talking about above. If however you was going to have him as he policy holder and him not be involved in the company that is 'fronting' of a policy

    At this point you are talking about 3 people being involved in the company and the profits my only concern is how many cars you are going to need to sell at 750- 3000 to pay 3 wages ???

    It wouldn't be something we would all be doing on a full-time basis, we all have our main occupations. With three of us it makes it much easier for us all to run this on a 'part time' basis, there's 3 of us to attend auctions and collect cars, myself and my friend are able to prepare (wash, mechanical work, etc...) the cars between ourselves, and we can all be available for car viewings etc...

    Whereas if there was say just me, it would be difficult to go car auctions and collect cars. I would have to arrange transport to the auction, or invest in a flatbed/trailer. It would be difficult for me to be available regularly for car viewings, especially out of normal working hours. So by having three people involved it basically allows us to have a full-time business, with minimal risk  (as none of us need/have to give up our normal occupations until the business is proven) if that makes sense. 

  16. Posted

    4 minutes ago, justlooking said:

    Hi Kieran,

    Great opening post, quite refreshing considering some of the recent one post wonders that have sought advice and disappered in to the night.

    Someone will be along soon to recommend an insurance broker who may be able to help get you an under 25 policy, unsure on the dad-element.

    Responsibilities, yes, you need to read up on/google/learn understand, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 like the back of your hand, but also take note that it differs slightly for the sale of used cars, versus, say, a TV. Probably worth calling a motortrade focused law firm like Lawgistics to have an initial free chat for 15 mins, I'd probably look at signing up to their help for 12 months, and do that, mechanically prepare the cars properly, MOT'ing, rather than say, spend money on warranties.

    All the best!

    Thank you. Hopefully, I'll be here a while, hoping to learn what I need to learn then help others in my situation in the future. Quite active on quite a few car forums, so this is now on my list haha!

    Yeah I think that's definitely one of the first things we're concerned about. Definitely need to find learn/understand CRA 2015 like you say.

    1 minute ago, JA Trader said:

    Welcome and as said above refreshing to see a nice intro.

    The dad element is 'fronting' unless he is actually involved in the company registered director ETC.

    Have a look through the CRA 2015 and also go and see and accountant and get registered.

    Yeah, we definitely wouldn't be looking to front the business. He would be involved, he started housing development a couple years ago and is looking to get into another business once his next house sells - so it's perfect timing really. Thanks!

  17. Posted

    2 minutes ago, MattR said:

    A nice intro Kieran

    To be aware of; think of how much you need to make, especially if there are 2 of you. break that down into a monthly amount and then work out how many cars you need to sell based on your current selling experience and margins.

    Think how much money you need to have to buy that initial stock of cars and recon money to make sure they are of a standard to sell.

    You will soon become liable for VAT.

    Your main responsibility to the customer is the CRA 2015. Take a look at that, and search around the forum for more info about it and warranties.

     

    Good Luck

     

    Thanks Matt! Appreciate that a lot.

  18. Posted · Edited by Kieran

    Hi guys, I'm a professional detailer, based in a unit, mainly dealing with paint correction and ceramic coatings. Recently, I've been looking into starting up as a motor trader, as I have the space and equipment (all the detailing equipment, plus tools for any minor work) to prepare, buy and sell cars basically - I've also got a great relationship with a garage who can deal with more involved work and MOTs.

    Over the last year or so, I've kind of been buying and selling cars on a private level, bought a Suzuki Swift as a daily runabout on Facebook for £400 drove it for 4/5 months sold it for £650, then got an MX5 for £600 a couple weeks later sold it for £950, then back into another Suzuki Swift bought for £300 sold for £750 a few months later, now in another car which I bought for great price and if I sell it I'm looking at £600 'profit' - this didn't start of as intentional, just wanted a daily car that wasn't going to depreciate and then slowly turned into make a couple hundred here and there. 

    It's something I want to start doing a more serious level, I've been to a few local car auctions with a friend. Bought and sold a few cars now since August, and we are looking to doing it together. So I'm basically here to reach out to look for some advice, or have any pointers as to where to look for solid advice.

    There's a few things that I'm unsure of of.

    • Motor trade insurance. We're both under 25, which I've been told is going to make getting trade insurance difficult. Would it be possible to have trade insurance in my dad's name, if we involved him in the business? So that he (my dad) would be the main policy holder, and we be additional ones - or is that going to be just as difficult as getting trade insurance ourselves? (just to confirm, not looking to front the business, my dad would be involved in the actual business)
    • Responsibilities. Is there anywhere I can find information about the responsibilities you have as a trader? As I'm aware there's responsibilities you have as a trader, when it comes to fixing problems with cars if they have issues after selling them. I've had a good search online and all I can find is the consumer side of things, which doesn't answer a lot of my questions. The cars we will be starting off with are going to be in the price range of £500-3000. So 7+ years old with a fair amount of miles, and cars of this nature are obviously more likely to have problems, so it's something that is a bit concerning for us, and we want to make sure we understand the responsibilities we would have a seller.

    Any advice would be appreciated. I apologise if this is not the right place to ask for advice!

     

    Thanks.