The Car Sales Executive is the commercial engine of every franchised dealership and used car operation in the UK. Responsible for guiding customers through the vehicle purchasing journey from initial enquiry to handover, the Sales Executive must combine thorough product knowledge, customer empathy, negotiation confidence and the commercial awareness to protect and maximise dealership profit on every transaction.
It is one of the most performance-driven roles in retail and one of the most rewarding when done well. The gap between an average and an exceptional Car Sales Executive is measurable in margin per unit, customer satisfaction scores, finance penetration and repeat and referral business. Employers know the difference and they pay for it.
Venatu recruits Car Sales Executives for permanent and contract roles across franchised car dealerships, used car supermarkets, independent used car operations and dealer groups throughout the UK. This role sits within our car dealership recruitment division. Explore the full range of automotive sales and management roles on our job map.
Who We Recruit For
We place candidates with:
- Volume franchised car dealerships (single and multi-franchise)
- Premium and prestige franchised dealerships
- Multi-site franchised dealer groups
- Used car supermarkets and independent used vehicle retailers
- Online and omnichannel used car retail operations
- Electric vehicle and new energy vehicle retail operations
- Commercial vehicle and light van dealerships
- Automotive leasing and fleet retail operations
Roles We Place
- Car Sales Executive
- New Car Sales Executive
- Used Car Sales Executive
- Senior Sales Executive
- Sales Executive (Prestige / Premium)
- Sales Executive (Electric / Hybrid)
- Fleet Sales Executive
- Sales Executive (Commercial Vehicle / Light Van)
- Sales Executive (Online / Digital)
- Graduate Sales Executive (Automotive)
Who Can Apply
Car Sales Executive is one of the most accessible management-track roles in the automotive sector. Strong candidates typically come from:
- Experienced Car Sales Executives at franchised or independent dealerships looking for a new brand, higher volume, prestige franchise or better package
- Customer-facing retail, hospitality or financial services professionals with strong communication skills, a commercial mindset and the confidence to work to targets who want to transition into automotive sales
- Business Development Executives who have been managing inbound leads in a dealership BDC and want to progress to a full sales role handling the complete purchase journey
- Graduates with a commercial degree or demonstrable interest in the automotive sector who want a performance-based career with clear progression
- Fleet or B2B sales professionals from adjacent sectors who want to move into vehicle retail
- Returning automotive sales professionals who have left the sector and want to re-enter with an updated brand or format
Previous automotive sales experience is not always required at entry level, particularly with employers who have structured onboarding and product training programmes. Venatu identifies employers with active graduate and career-change intake programmes and advises candidates from outside the sector on how to present their transferable skills effectively.
Car Sales Executive Salary Guide
| Role | Base Salary Range | OTE Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Executive (Entry / Developing) | £18,000 - £24,000 | £30,000 - £42,000 |
| Sales Executive (Experienced, Volume) | £22,000 - £30,000 | £40,000 - £58,000 |
| Sales Executive (Prestige / Premium) | £25,000 - £35,000 | £50,000 - £75,000 |
| Senior Sales Executive | £28,000 - £38,000 | £55,000 - £80,000 |
| Fleet Sales Executive | £28,000 - £38,000 | £48,000 - £70,000 |
OTE figures assume realistic target attainment based on dealership volume and product performance. Most roles include a demonstrator vehicle or car allowance. Commission structures vary significantly between employers. Venatu discusses realistic OTE expectations with candidates based on dealership volume and commission plan before presenting roles. Visit the HR Hub for broader salary context across automotive sales roles.
What the Role Involves
Responsibilities vary by employer, franchise and format but typically include:
- Meeting and greeting customers in the showroom or managing digital and telephone enquiries through to showroom appointment
- Understanding customer requirements and recommending suitable new or used vehicles from the available stock
- Conducting product presentations and test drives in line with manufacturer and dealership standards
- Presenting part-exchange appraisals and agreeing trade-in values in coordination with the Sales Controller or Buyer
- Presenting finance and insurance products in a compliant, needs-based manner and introducing customers to the Business Manager at the appropriate point in the process
- Negotiating vehicle price, finance terms and ancillary products to maximise gross profit per unit
- Processing paperwork accurately and managing vehicle handover to the required quality standard
- Managing a customer follow-up process to generate repeat and referral business
- Working to monthly new unit, used unit, finance penetration, insurance penetration and CSI targets
- Maintaining accurate records in the dealership CRM and DMS
How the Process Works
For employers:
- Submit a vacancy with the franchise, monthly volume, commission plan and any brand-specific training requirements.
- We confirm candidate availability and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
- Candidates are assessed for sales track record, product knowledge, customer manner and commercial awareness.
- Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.
For candidates:
- Register your CV with your current or most recent sales role, monthly volume achieved, OTE earned and any franchise or format experience.
- A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
- Roles are matched to your experience level, preferred franchise type and geography.
- Venatu manages the process and provides commission plan and OTE benchmarking ahead of offer.
Browse current vacancies or create a job alert to be notified when relevant roles become available.
FAQ
What does a Car Sales Executive do? A Car Sales Executive guides customers through the vehicle purchasing process from initial enquiry to handover. Responsibilities include understanding customer requirements, presenting and demonstrating vehicles, appraising part-exchanges, presenting finance and insurance products, negotiating terms and completing the sale. The role is target-driven with earnings closely linked to unit volume, gross profit and finance penetration performance.
Do I need automotive experience to become a Car Sales Executive? Not always. Many franchised dealerships and dealer groups actively recruit from outside the motor trade, particularly from retail, hospitality, financial services and customer-facing B2C sales backgrounds. Strong communication skills, a confident customer manner, commercial awareness and the motivation to work to targets are the qualities most employers look for at entry level. Venatu identifies employers with structured induction and product training programmes for candidates new to automotive sales.
What does a Car Sales Executive earn in the UK? Base salaries typically range from £18,000 for entry-level roles to £38,000 for senior or prestige sales executives. OTE including commission ranges from £30,000 to £80,000 or more depending on franchise, volume and individual performance. Most roles include a demonstrator vehicle. Venatu discusses realistic OTE expectations based on dealership volume and commission structure before presenting roles.
What is the difference between a new car and a used car Sales Executive role? New car Sales Executives focus on manufacturer-approved new vehicle sales, typically working within defined finance and discount parameters set by the franchise. Used car Sales Executives have more flexibility in pricing and negotiation and typically manage a broader range of vehicle ages, conditions and valuations. In many dealerships Sales Executives handle both. Venatu clarifies the stock mix and commission structure for each role before presenting candidates.
What is the progression from Car Sales Executive? The most common routes are into Sales Controller, Senior Sales Executive, Business Manager or Sales Manager. High performers with management ambition typically progress to Sales Manager, General Sales Manager or General Manager level. For senior retained appointments visit Venatu Executive. Read about how the automotive retail landscape is changing in The Evolution Of Automobiles.
Is there demand for EV-specialist Car Sales Executives? Yes and it is growing. As electric vehicle volumes increase across franchise networks, employers are actively looking for Sales Executives with the product knowledge and confidence to guide customers through EV purchase decisions including range, charging infrastructure, home charger installation and ownership costs. Venatu identifies candidates with EV product knowledge and advises employers on how to develop EV sales capability within their teams.
Register or Enquire
Candidates - Register your CV with your sales experience, monthly volume, OTE history and any franchise or format preference. Venatu will match you to current Car Sales Executive vacancies including roles not publicly advertised. Browse live vacancies or create a job alert.
Employers - Submit a vacancy or visit the client hub to discuss your Sales Executive requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.