The Aussies making cash buying used cars

With cost-of-living pressures rising significantly across Australia, many motorists are turning to car flipping as a side hustle to make extra cash. Flipping involves buying a used vehicle, improving its mechanical and aesthetic condition, and reselling it for a profit within a short timeframe. Melbourne-based car flipper and restorer Peter Fountis shared examples of his work, including buying a VX Commodore wagon for $250, washing it, making cosmetic enhancements, and selling it the next day for $1000. In another instance, he bought a WH Statesman for $2000, added a good detail, a new battery, fuel filter, and a fog light replacement, and sold it a week later for $4500. Fountis notes that projects do not require weeks of work, often taking just a few hours over a couple of days to yield the best return. Research indicates that Australians spend an average of $478 upgrading or maintaining their vehicle, but delayed repairs can push that figure up to $1237. Additionally, 29 percent of Australians would touch up paint chips and scratches, while one in four would replace worn tyres or complete minor cosmetic repairs to boost presentation. Asim Moheet, eBay Australia Parts and Accessories Category Lead, highlights that cost-of-living pressures are driving Australians to handle everyday maintenance and cosmetic upgrades themselves using accessible parts, accessories, and tools. eBay Australia emphasizes safety, advising owners to seek professional advice for complex jobs. Fountis provides key tips for car flippers: never underestimate a proper clean inside and out, get the car serviced to build buyer confidence, freshen up small details like hubcaps or floor mats, touch up minor paint damage using colour-matched touch-up paint after checking the paint code, and deal with minor dents using paintless dent repair kits while leaving substantial damage to professionals. When choosing vehicles to flip, Fountis targets affordable, reliable everyday runabouts and small hatchbacks such as Toyota Corollas, Mazda 3s, and Hyundai i30s, which appeal to a broad buyer base including P-platers and first-car buyers.