Car Salesperson
What is the work like?
Car salespeople, or vehicle sales executives, sell new and used cars. They might also sell other vehicles like motorbikes and vans, as well as vehicle accessories.
As a salesperson, your duties would vary according to the type and size of your dealership, but would usually include keeping the forecourt and cars clean and tidy, arranging advertising and telephoning prospective customers to tell them about new cars and deals.
Other tasks could include:
- discussing the customers' needs and advising them on the most suitable vehicle
- arranging test-drives
- negotiating the sale price, including any ‘trade-in’ value for customers' old cars
- working out finance arrangements, including cash payments and car loans
- highlighting extra products to customers, such as accessories or after-sales service
- completing related paperwork and pre-delivery inspections
- updating stock lists, placing orders for new cars from manufacturers and buying in used cars.
In large dealerships, you may work as part of a team, specialising in one aspect of selling. In smaller garages, you could be involved in all areas of the work.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not normally need any formal qualifications for this job, although some employers may ask for GCSEs (grades A-C) in maths and English.
Some dealerships will want you to have previous sales experience. Others will place more importance on your personality and ability to persuade people, your confidence and knowledge of cars and the motor industry. They may test your ability to ‘close a sale’ as part of the interview.
You will need a full, clean driving licence for most jobs.
You may be able to get into this job through a vehicle sales Apprenticeship scheme. For more details about this route, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
See the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) website for more information about careers in the motor industry.
What further training and development can I do?
You would be given on-the-job training, under the supervision of an experienced salesperson, covering the following areas:
- designing sales plans
- conducting sales
- assessing used vehicles
- health and safety.
As it is becoming more important to gain qualifications within the industry, you could be encouraged to work towards NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Vehicle Sales.
The IMI also offers relevant qualifications, such as the Certificate and Diploma in Vehicle Sales, and Automotive Retail Management. See their website for more information.
You may be asked to attend short courses offered by car manufacturers. These are designed to improve your selling techniques, update you on mechanical and electronic advances, and to introduce new features and models of cars.
Where can I go for more information?
FanshawsBrickendon
Hertford
SG13 8PQ
Tel: 01992 511521
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- New entrants could expect to earn between £10,000 and £13,000 a year.
- Experienced salespeople can earn a basic salary of £14,000 to £17,000 a year, after commission and bonuses this could reach £20,000 to £25,000 a year.
- Top earners can make over £35,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work a basic 40 hours a week, between 8am and 6pm. Hours would include weekend working and it is often common to work into the evening during busy periods.
You would normally work in a showroom and office. You would spend some of your time showing customers around cars on the forecourt and taking people for test-drives.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- self-confidence and an outgoing personality
- a smart appearance, and polite and professional approach
- good negotiating skills and a persuasive manner
- a genuine interest in motor vehicles
- good maths skills for working out costs
- good business sense
- the ability to work alone without direct supervision.
What opportunities are there?
You could work for franchised dealerships set up by manufacturers to sell only new cars, or dealerships selling both new and used vehicles.
With experience, you could be promoted to showroom supervisor, senior sales adviser, dealership administrator, or sales and marketing manager. You may be able to move into vehicle leasing or set up your own business, running your own dealership.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in a new window)
autojob.co.uk
IMI Magazine
Jobcentre Plus
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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