Used cars are becoming a popular choice for consumers. According to marketing over 40 million used vehicles were sold in the past year. The used car market is still thriving in the US despite the pandemic. Many predict that sales will increase as people avoid public transportation and opt for private vehicles.

How can you run a successful used car business? Are you able to display your vehicles in a large enough area? Do you have any nearby dealerships that could help attract more customers? These are all things you should consider before opening a used-car business. Here are five tips to help you run a successful used-car business:

1. Find Your Niche

Do you know which used car types to sell at your dealership? You can increase your chances of success by finding your niche. You can have a vintage used dealership, a luxury used dealership, or even specialize in used SUVs and trucks. There are so many possibilities! Decide on the types of vehicles that you would like to sell and then calculate the volume and margins required to make a profit.

2. Ready Vehicles

A dealership selling used cars doesn’t just mean slapping a “as is” sticker on the windows. All vehicles in your stock should be properly maintained and inspected. All repairs must be recorded and filed. To make your vehicle look good on the lot, you need to invest in an efficient reconditioning procedure.

3. Offer Warranties

It’s important to provide warranty options to customers. Many people think that the cars they see are what they get. This gives them a little bit of safety, increases your revenue and increases the likelihood that they will purchase at your dealership.

4. Customer Support

Customer service is an integral part of the new car buying process, and can also be a key differentiator for your used car dealer. Offer your customers a CARFAX report, an AutoCheck.com report, or a vehicle identification number report (VIN). More information about the vehicle’s history and condition is better. The truthful data you provide will demonstrate to your customers that they are valued and you can help them.

A “thank you” phone call or email is another way to demonstrate excellent Customer Service. This is a good way to demonstrate that you were not only helpful for their purchase of a car. Double-down on customer service and you’ll reap the rewards in terms of referrals and repeat purchases.

5. Location

All of these tips will be useless if you do not choose the best location for your used vehicle dealership. You need to have enough room to display cars and a storage area if you don’t have any. Do you have enough space in the office for your team and yourself? Does the service department have a repair area? Is your dealership close to other dealers in the region? You might be surprised to learn that being close to other dealers can increase your chances of attracting more customers.

Running a used-car business can be rewarding and fulfilling if your passion for cars is strong enough to motivate you to assist others in finding the perfect vehicle. These tips will get you on your way.