Car boot sale tips UK: how to make the most money (and buy to resell)

Car boot sales are one of the fastest ways to turn clutter into cash in a single morning, and one of the best places to find stock to resell.

Before the day

• Find a car boot near you. Most run from spring to autumn, often on Sunday mornings. Check opening times and pitch fees on the organiser's website or Facebook page.
• Sort your stuff into boxes by type: clothes, toys, kitchen, books, tools.
• Clean everything. Dusty items sell for less.
• Check electricals work, and bring batteries to show them working.
• Pack your kit: a pasting table, a clothes rail if you have one, bags, a float of coins and notes, and a phone card reader if you have one.

On the day

1. Get there early. Dealers and keen buyers arrive as you unpack.
2. Lay it out well. Put your best items at the front, hang clothes and keep small items in labelled boxes.
3. Price to sell. Most people go to a car boot expecting bargains. Round numbers make haggling quicker.
4. Expect haggling. Start a little higher than you will accept.
5. Bundle deals. "3 for £2" shifts lots of small things.
6. Drop prices late on. Anything you take home goes back in the loft.

What sells well at car boot sales

• Children's toys, books and clothes
• Tools and DIY bits
• Kitchenware and small appliances
• Plants and garden items
• Games, DVDs and consoles
• Bric-a-brac and collectables

Bigger, branded or collectable items may sell for much more online. Look up sold prices on eBay before you put them on your table for £1.

Buying at car boots to resell

Car boots are a reseller's favourite source of stock. Look for branded clothing, LEGO, retro games and tech, power tools and anything collectable. Check sold prices on your phone before buying, and read my guide to reselling for profit.

Do you pay tax on car boot sales?

• Selling your own unwanted things: not taxable, however much you make.
• Buying things to sell on: this is trading. Income over £1,000 in 2026/27, or £3,000 from April 2027, needs reporting through Self Assessment.

Common questions

How much can you make at a car boot sale?

It depends on what you take and how you price it. A car full of household clutter commonly brings in somewhere from a few tens of pounds to a couple of hundred.

What time should I arrive at a car boot sale?

As early as the organiser allows sellers in. The first hour is often the busiest, as dealers look for bargains.

What should I not take to a car boot sale?

Anything unsafe or illegal to sell, such as children's car seats you cannot vouch for, recalled products or counterfeit goods. Some sites ban food or certain items, so check the rules.