Fixing & Selling - your advice / thoughts
Discussion
Hey Folks,
I could do with your collective advice.
My Dad's been out of work for a while now and is finding it difficult to get another role as he's getting on a bit (mid 60s) and was with one co for 43 years before being made redundant. He likes to tinker and is an engineer at heart and likes his cars. He's just picked up a head gasket gone Freelander to fix up for himself.
No then, he can't afford to retire but can't get a job either, and doesn't want to do just shop work or similar. I was thinking if I could get a small unit and supply a parts/car float for him, he could buy things where there is some work needed and fix them up to sell for a small profit and do that maybe one a week will make a bit of money and keep him well occupied too.
My questions for you are
1) Is this a good idea or a load of poo?
2) If an OK idea - what cars/issues do people think could work?
Really appreciate any advice out there.
I could do with your collective advice.
My Dad's been out of work for a while now and is finding it difficult to get another role as he's getting on a bit (mid 60s) and was with one co for 43 years before being made redundant. He likes to tinker and is an engineer at heart and likes his cars. He's just picked up a head gasket gone Freelander to fix up for himself.
No then, he can't afford to retire but can't get a job either, and doesn't want to do just shop work or similar. I was thinking if I could get a small unit and supply a parts/car float for him, he could buy things where there is some work needed and fix them up to sell for a small profit and do that maybe one a week will make a bit of money and keep him well occupied too.
My questions for you are
1) Is this a good idea or a load of poo?
2) If an OK idea - what cars/issues do people think could work?
Really appreciate any advice out there.
Rubin215 said:
If he is setting up as a trader then he should be offering a warranty with the car, if he is selling them privately then he is a chancer and risks getting caught / a smack in the mouth if something goes wrong.
If you intend to do the selling, then are you a trader? See above...
A motor trader isn't under any obligation to provide a warranty.If you intend to do the selling, then are you a trader? See above...
Thanks both.
I think between us we could do the selling. I'm not worried about creating a company and SOGA either - I run my own business as well so that stuff isn't too much of burden for me to help.
I agree the profit is the key here per car for the time. Nothing worth doing is necessarily easy..?
The Freelander for instance. head gasket kit not expensive, but labour is for that job. So that could be a good candidate?
I think between us we could do the selling. I'm not worried about creating a company and SOGA either - I run my own business as well so that stuff isn't too much of burden for me to help.
I agree the profit is the key here per car for the time. Nothing worth doing is necessarily easy..?
The Freelander for instance. head gasket kit not expensive, but labour is for that job. So that could be a good candidate?
Phateuk said:
Sounds like a good premise to make a TV program. You go out and source a car needing work and parts required, and your father does the mechanical repairs. At the end you can sell on for a profit (hopefully).
Could be 
I do sometimes watch wheeler dealers thinking their margins are very low but they go for all sorts...rsmithinfo said:
Phateuk said:
Sounds like a good premise to make a TV program. You go out and source a car needing work and parts required, and your father does the mechanical repairs. At the end you can sell on for a profit (hopefully).
Could be I do sometimes watch wheeler dealers thinking their margins are very low but they go for all sorts...
They almost doubled their money in the end rsmithinfo said:
No suggestions on what cars could work well?
It depends what sort of things he is going to enjoy fixing, common problem cars that you will always find on ebay that are still fixable/re-saleable include:Mini Cooper early models 2001-2005 with noisy gearbox bearings (5 speed model)
Smart cars 600/700cc model with engine problems (if they still run but are mis-firing can be easily re-built)
Vauxhall Zaffira/Astra autos needing g/box fix (2002-2008) where coolant gets in the gearbox, they go into limp mode when warm.
If you focus on one of these problem cars you will get quite good at buying them at the right money, fixing them quickly and know the market in that model/age.
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