Dieser Ratgeber ist auf Deutsch und Englisch verfügbar.
For many dealers, days in stock is the most important figure next to margin – and the two are closely linked. A car standing for 90 days hasn’t just tied up space and capital; it has aged, lost value and often needs a price cut. Reducing time in stock means earning more on each car and buying more often.
- Time in stock costs: capital, parking, insurance and depreciation run every day.
- Most slow movers are made when buying – through models with little demand or too high an entry price.
- Days often pass between purchase and listing; a fixed sequence for reconditioning and photos saves them.
- The launch price is decisive: the first days bring the most enquiries.
- The portals’ price rating affects how many buyers see and click a listing.
- Decide in advance when a car drops in price or goes to the trade.
1. Buy what the market wants
Time in stock starts with buying. Models, engines and colours with broad demand turn faster than oddities – even if the oddity is cheaper to buy. Two questions help before every purchase:
- How many comparable cars come onto the market each week, and how many are on offer right now? A large supply means a lot of competition when selling.
- How quickly did similar cars sell from your own stock recently?
CarFalke’s market data shows active offers, prices by year and how many new offers arrive each week for the most traded models – a quick look before you bid on a model.
2. The entry price decides
A car bought too dear can only be sold by giving up margin – or it stands. Work out the buying price backwards from the realistic selling price, including reconditioning, repairs, holding costs and tax. Leaving room when buying lets you react with the price later without making a loss.
3. From purchase to listing in a few days
In many businesses more days pass between purchase and listing than necessary: the car waits for the workshop, then reconditioning, then photos. A fixed sequence helps:
- On arrival: visual check, list of work, slots in workshop and reconditioning.
- Plan repairs and the HU in parallel, not one after the other.
- Photos straight after reconditioning, in a fixed spot with good light.
- Listing online the same day – with full equipment and an honest description.
4. The launch price
The first days after publishing bring the most views and enquiries. A launch price above the market wastes that phase: buyers see the car, compare and call elsewhere. Base the launch price on the median of comparable offers and plan your negotiating room deliberately, instead of starting high and cutting several times later.
5. Use the portals’ price bands
Many buyers filter or sort by the portals’ price rating. A car just above the threshold to a better band loses visibility. Even small price changes can move a listing up a band. Check where the threshold is when listing and decide deliberately whether the step is worth it.
6. Listings that sell
- Plenty of good photos: all round outside, interior, boot, tyres, service book, any damage.
- Complete equipment – portals and buyers filter by it.
- An honest description of condition and history; it saves viewings that don’t lead to a sale.
- Fast replies to enquiries, ideally the same day.
- Offering the car on several portals to reach every group of buyers.
7. A clear limit for slow movers
Decide in advance what happens after 30, 60 and 90 days – say, a price step after 30 days, a second after 60, and then a sale to the trade or at auction. That turns gut feeling into a rule, and capital flows into new purchases instead of cars that don’t turn.
The fastest way to cut time in stock is buying to the market. CarFalke helps with saved searches across all three portals, and price rating, market value and buying potential on every listing – so only cars that pay off come onto your yard.
