Car boot sales provide a great opportunity to offload your unwanted goods and raise some cash. Here, we tell you everything you need to know about doing a car boot sale and how to find one
Every year, thousands of people across the UK flock to car boot sales to sell their unwanted goods and/or pick up a bargain.
If you've got loads of surplus goods at home that you're desperate to get rid of, now could be a great time to offload them and make a bit of cash in the process.
But how do you actually sell your wares at a car boot sale? What sort of stuff sells? Who runs the best car boot sales, and where are the nearest ones to you? In this beginner’s guide, we'll answer all of those questions and more, to help your experience go as smoothly as possible.
What is a car boot sale?
A car boot sale usually feels like an informal event where members of the public gather to sell their unwanted belongings and/or buy goods from other sellers – but in fact, all commercial car boot sales in England and Wales are proper markets licensed by the local council. They’re subject to inspection by the council’s markets officers and Trading Standards, though some councils are more lenient with occasional events run by sports clubs, schools, charities and political parties.
A popular pastime in the UK, the car boot sale concept is actually believed to have been brought to these shores by a Catholic priest from Stockport after he attended one while on holiday in Canada.
Car boot sales generally take place outdoors in fields or car parks (though indoor car boot sales are a thing, too), and they can vary in size from a couple of dozen cars/sellers to several hundred. Some of the bigger car boot sales feature professional traders and food stalls alongside the amateur sellers.
How do you sell your stuff at a car boot sale?
Once you've paid your fee, you'll be directed to your spot, and then it's simply a case of getting out of the car and setting up. Though they're called 'car boot sales', many people don't actually sell directly from their car boot, preferring to erect tables and/or scatter their wares on the floor (if it's been raining, you might want to lay down a piece of tarpaulin or a plastic sheet to protect your goods from getting damp).
For many people, the biggest downside of doing a car boot sale is the time you have to get up in the morning. Car boot sales usually start very early (from around 6am, though we recommend checking before you set off) and fill up quickly. So, to ensure you get a decent spot – i.e. one that's right in the thick of things – you'll need to set your alarm clock. Packing your car up the night before might seem like a good idea, but we don't recommend it as it might attract thieves. So leave enough time in the morning to load up your vehicle.
One thing you can, and probably should, do the night before is put price stickers on your items. Putting stickers on is not obligatory, but we recommend it as having to ask the seller what something costs can be off-putting to customers. And pricing up your goods on the eve of the event will save you having to do it on the day while your stand is swarming with people.
As soon as you climb out of your car, you might find yourself surrounded by folk asking if you have certain items, whether that's Xbox games, LEGO sets or old mobile phones. These people are usually traders looking to score a bargain that they can then sell on for profit. While this surge of interest can be intimidating for newbies, it usually only lasts a few minutes before those people move on to the next arrival.Note that it's a good idea to take a bag of change with you when you do a car boot sale, as there will always be people who hand you a ten pound note for an item that costs 20p. Also take some old carrier bags, as customers will often ask for them, especially if you're selling them multiple items.
What are the best things to sell at a car boot sale?
The best things to sell are the ones you want to get rid of! Pretty much anything can be sold at a car boot sale, as long as it's not dangerous or illegal. If you were to walk up and down the aisles at your local sale, you'd be amazed at the range of wares on display. Toys, books, DVDs, clothes, gardening equipment, furniture, antiques, bric-a-brac, car parts, jewellery – it'll all be there, along with much more.
Children’s stuff (toys, clothes, prams, etc) is always popular among buyers, as purchasing these items new can cost a small fortune. Also, kids grow fast, meaning that their things are often still in great condition once they've finished with them.
Though DVDs, CDs and books are commonly found on car boot sale stands, they aren't nearly as sought-after as they used to be (largely because most movies, music and stories are now readily available in a digital format). As a consequence, you might only get 50p for each item, if you sell them at all. If you do fail to sell any of your items, rather than take it back home with you, why not drop it off at your local charity shop so that they can try to sell it for a good cause.
It's a good idea to put your most 'valuable' items towards the front of your stand so that they’re in clear view of people passing by, and will be easy for people to pick up and have a closer look at. As the day wears on and things get sold, you'll probably find yourself shifting your items around multiple times to maximise their exposure.
Finally, don't expect your stuff to sell for its true value. Most buyers go to car boot sales to land a bargain, not to pay the 'going price'. If you have something that you think is worth a lot of money (for example, an antique vase or a collectable record), rather than sell it for peanuts, you might be better off trying to auction it on eBay.
When do car boot sales start in 2024?
Outdoor car boot sales typically run from spring to late summer, while some indoor events take place all year round. Many are listed online, or have Facebook sites, so check individual events for details. Car Boot Junction, for example, lists more than 1,900 sales across the UK and you can search by county.
Do you need a licence to sell at a car boot sale?
If you’re a trader (i.e. if you’re selling large quantities of new items such as clothes, fashion accessories or electrical goods), then you should abide by the regulations set out by consumer law. To find out more, read this helpful article from Business Companion. If you’re a non-trader, then you’ll need only to follow the rules of the car boot sale you’re attending (though in Kent and North/South Yorkshire, strictly speaking, anyone selling second-hand goods is required to register with Trading Standards).
Which are the most popular car boot sales?
Here are just some of the major car boot sales in the UK. To find out the starting and finishing dates for 2024, please click on the links. Details of any smaller car boot sales happening near you should appear in your local newspaper or community Facebook pages. Alternatively, you can browse the sales in your general geographical area by visiting Car Boot Junction.
Edinburgh Car Boot Sale
Corn Exchange, Edinburgh
Open Saturdays and Sundays from 7.15am (sellers can set up from 6am Saturdays and 7am Sundays)
Battersea Car Boot Sale
Harris Academy, London SW11
Open Sundays from 1.30pm
New Forest Car Boot Sale
Strawberry Fields, Lymington
Open Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 6.30am
York Racecourse Car Boot
York YO23 1EX
Open Saturdays from 7am
High Street Car Boot Sale
Multi-Storey Car Park, Swansea High Street
Open Sundays from 6am
Ford Airfield Market and Car Boot
Ford, West Sussex
Open Thursdays and Saturdays from 7.30am, Sundays from 8.30pm
Redcar Racecourse Afternoon Car Boot Sale
Redcar, Yorkshire
Open Sundays from 10.30am
University of Bolton Football Stadium Car Boot Sale
Toughsheet Community Stadium, Bolton, Lancashire
Open Sundays from 7am
St Augustine’s Car Boot Sale
St Augustine’s School, London NW6
Open Saturdays from 7am
Arminghall Car Boot Sale
Norwich, Norfolk
Open Sundays, Wednesdays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 7.30am (sellers can set up from 5.30am)
Whitchurch Car Boot Sale
Bamfield, Bristol
Open Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 11.30am (sellers can set up from 10.30am)
Hoggs Lane Car Boot Sale
Northfield, Birmingham
Open Saturdays from 6am
Polmadie Car Boot Sale
Glasgow, Scotland
Open Saturdays and Sundays from 6am, Wednesdays from 10am
Splott Car Boot Sale
Cardiff, Wales
Open Thursdays and Sundays from 7am (sellers can set up from 6am)
Church of God Shankill Car Boot Sale
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Open second Saturday of every month from 10am
Is there anything else I should know about selling at a car boot sale?
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Doing a car boot sale can be a long day. Most sales that start first thing in the morning run till around 2pm, meaning you could be manning your stand for six or seven hours. To avoid fatigue, take a camping chair and some refreshments, and also bring weather-appropriate gear such as an anorak or sun cream. You'll find that after the initial burst of interest from buyers, there can be periods where you're standing (or sitting) around doing nothing, so it's worth taking a book or magazine to keep yourself occupied.
Also bear in mind that doing a car boot sale alone will make it very hard to take a toilet break or have a browse around the other stalls, since you won’t want to leave your own stand unattended. So maybe ask a friend or family member if they’d be up for attending the sale with you.
So, are car boot sales worth it?
Doing a car boot sale can be a long day. Most sales that start first thing in the morning run till around 2pm, meaning you could be manning your stand for six or seven hours. To avoid fatigue, take a camping chair and some refreshments, and also bring weather-appropriate gear such as an anorak or suncream. You'll find that after the initial burst of interest from buyers, there can be periods where you're standing (or sitting) around doing nothing, so it's worth taking a book or magazine to keep yourself occupied.
Also bear in mind that doing a car boot sale alone will make it very hard to take a toilet break or have a browse around the other stalls, since you won't want to leave your own stand unattended. So maybe ask a friend or family member if they'd be up for attending the sale with you.
Ultimately, selling at car boot sales is a hit and miss affair. On some occasions, you'll come away with an empty car, a pocket full of cash and a bit of colour in your cheeks. At other times, you'll sell hardly anything, make about £20 and arrive home looking like a drowned rat. Whatever happens, it'll be an experience you'll never forget!
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