metcars

Almost anyone can sell good cars, its easy. What's hard is finding the right car at the right price.

Yeah, I'm on a few motoring forums and one in particular (4x4) has a few guys who buy the odd non runner cheap, fix it and sell it on for a profit. When pressed they say they're not trading? Funny that?

You get these issues in many walks of life. My brother in law has a small cleaning business, 3rd generation. Windows and office cleaning. He has a machine in the back of his van that cost a fortune and converts tap water into 'angels tears' to keep the council happy. But he has to contend with chancers with broken ladders and buckets of dirty water on JSA who undercut him and poach customers but only turn up for a month. Both his sons are self-employed, one's a plumber the others a 'chippy', same story of being undercut by unqualified 'chancers'. Does anyone on here employ a window cleaner?

I've mentioned before the Polish guy on the corner of my road who started off doing mechanical work, then buying damaged repairables. He's now almost totally just buying and selling. But top end BMW/RR/Merc. He's got a newish silver Jeep on his fleet at the moment, endless stream of punters looking, but he can't seem to shift it. On a side note, did anyone ever read the articles that Peter Simpson (ex editor Car mechanics magazine/car dealer) wrote on home trading. If I remember correctly, he even wrote a guide available on subscription for a few months on how to do it. But, these days, so many people are looking for opportunities to earn on the side and there are even more people willing to show them how to do it, for a price?

Sorry to sound obtuse but define 'good living'?

I used to run a Mondeo with a 'banger loom'

You hear so many stories/rumours anything is possible? Our lords and masters are influenced by 'fact finding missions'. Up until recently they would have been influenced by our EU partners. I seem to remember rumours about a europe wide vehicle excise duty system, but good or bad right or wrong that has come to an end: they could be looking at how the US do things. With all dealers registered and plates applied to owners rather than cars? Who knows?

As I said earlier, every trade plate driver I see in my local area either covers or remove the original plates. But, in my local area there are cameras everywhere. You'd be spending half your life phoning up various agencies challenging various PCN's. God knows what happens if you drive over the Dartford crossing. You'd probably have to immigrate!

Yes, I think in this instance its better to sell it on an 'expired' MOT than a huge 'failure'

He's in the club !!!

Sorry. To qualify for this thread it has to have cost less than £200 and be able to take the dog to the country park on a muddy day!

The old cmax is holding up. A few issues. Everyone complains about the uncomfortable seats, you get out like a cowboy gets off a horse after a day in the saddle! The handbrake lever set way too close to the passenger seat, if the passenger has a coat on you have to 'dig around' to find it, not great for hill starts. Shocking A pillar blind spot. I'm 6'2" and I have to lean forward when negotiating a roundabout to sight the kerb, even worse at night in the rain. I've driven Zafira and Picasso and neither are that bad. It's not proving to be that good on fuel either, so its days could be numbered.....

Interestingly, and not surprisingly, I've seen a 'lot' more trade plates being used in the last 12 months in my area (East London). Invariably they are used on vehicles with the existing plates either covered or removed. It's fair to say that 'plod' is pretty busy in my area and I've not heard any stories from the grapevine about trade platers being picked on, but we'll see.....?

can't have a thread about cleaning products without mentioning Stardrops

Not noticing the V5 was missing is one thing, but thinking it was diesel as well sounds like 'early onset dementia'

..... or 'dislike' posts?

I don't know any small traders who do well auctioning cars regardless of the company. I've always found that an 'honest' description on ebay will get stuff sold. But as mentioned before, Ebay has its own issues these days and is not for the feint hearted!

Proper smoker!

Give it a few days, they usually come through in time

.... and then £2000 we should have spent! Apart from the obvious, the Alfasud was a good car for its age. Twin cam, 5spd, discs all round etc. But.....?

Wheeler dealers has a lot to answer for!

Welcome! From where are you intending to source your stock?

I was just wondering what the definition is of 'part time'. If there's a full time job that allows me unlimited days off to go to auctions, prep and deliver cars and be available to deal with customers anytime at short notice I want in!

Does anyone else remember having to queue up behind HGV's in a car to use the one diesel pump in the petrol station? Diesels originally had two advantages, economy and longevity/robustness. Modern manufacurers seem to now just focus on the economy side leaving an expensive fragile ticking time bomb under the bonnet. I've personally owned a couple of old ('90s) diesel 4x4s that easily ran to 300k on their original IP and HG but struggled to do more than 25mpg, but they're 'still' running.