Used Car Dealer Success Stories [2026]
Thinking about diving into the world of used cars to generate revenue? Starting a used car dealership might be the road to success you're looking for.
In essence, this business involves sourcing pre-owned vehicles, giving them a bit of TLC, and selling them for a profit. Your daily activities will range from inspecting cars for quality, negotiating deals with sellers, marketing your inventory, and handling customer relations.
The appeal of a used car dealership lies in its evergreen demand; people are always in the market for affordable, reliable vehicles. It’s a business that allows for growth by building a reputation for trustworthiness and quality.
While there’s a significant time and financial investment, including a lot of legwork, the payoff can be substantial. For those willing to put in the effort, it offers a rewarding way to combine a love of automobiles with entrepreneurial aspirations.
In this list, you'll find real-world used car dealer success stories and very profitable examples of starting a used car dealer that makes money.
1. The Clunker Junker ($5.89M/year)
Eric and Valerie Mitz, founders of The Clunker Junker, initially started off as an affiliate website generating leads for junk car removal companies. However, after facing challenges and setbacks, they decided to provide the service themselves and built a custom software platform connecting junk car buyers and sellers. The Clunker Junker has since grown into a successful business, generating close to $6 million in revenue in 2020.
How much money it makes: $5.89M/year
How much did it cost to start: $20
How many people on the team: 4
The Clunker Junker founders built a modern platform that has enabled the purchase of hundreds of thousands of cars across the US, generating almost $6 million in revenue in 2020 and changing their lives forever.
