How to become a used atv dealer


How to Start an ATV Dealership - Becoming an ATV Dealer - Resources for Entrepreneurs - Gaebler Ventures

Starting a Business

These tips are ideal for those who hope to start an ATV dealership. Read this article before you open up shop.

We provide some useful advice on opening an ATV dealership.

The Market for ATV Dealers

Demand for ATVs continues to grow. ATVs are popular because they are both fun and functional. They can be used for recreation, hunting, farming, ranching, industrial purposes and for safety patrols. ATVs offer significant advantages over larger vehicles. Notable ATV advantages include maneuverability, towing capabilities, ease of use, and all-weather compatibility.

With the ATV market booming, you can enroll in Bombardier Recreational Products' Can-Am ATV Dealer Program, the Honda ATV dealer program, the Polaris ATV dealer program, the CFMOTO ATV dealer program, the Can-Am ATV dealer program, the Yamaha ATV dealer program or become a dealer for Kawasaki, Kymco, Suzuki and many other ATV dealers. If you develop a plan and work hard, it's only a matter of time before you are selling four wheelers, three wheelers, dune buggies and sand rails from a business you can proudly call your own.

Tips for Generating a Top Quality ATV Dealership Business Plan

There is no right way to write an ATV dealership business plan but there are plenty of wrong ones. Despite the diversity that exists in business plan writing, there are several essential elements that good business plans simply must include.

Business plan software eliminates the guesswork, insulating your ATV dealership from the possibility of critical omissions. Robust software solutions incorporate best practices while streamlining the writing process, ensuring that your business plan reflects your company's commitment to quality.

To guide your search, we've compiled a list of business plan software packages, all of which have proven value for ATV dealership entrepreneurs.

Evaluate the Competition

Well in advance of opening an ATV dealership in your town, it's a good idea to see what the competition looks like. We've provided the link below to help you generate a list of competitors near you. Just enter your city, state and zip code to get a list of ATV dealerships in your community.

  • Search for ATV Dealerships Near You

Before you open up shop, make sure you know what you will offer to your customers that provides a significant advantage over your competition's offering.

Learning More About the Industry

If you want to open an ATV dealership be sure to learn as much as you can from somebody who is already in the business. If you think your local competitors will give you advice, you're being overoptimistic. Why would they want to educate a future competitor?

However, an entrepreneur who owns an ATV dealership in a location that is not competitive to you may be willing to share their entrepreneurial wisdom with you, as long as they don't view you as a competitive threat. Indeed, many experienced entrepreneurs enjoy offering advice to startup entrepreneurs. Our estimate is that you may have to contact many business owners to find one who is willing to share his wisdom with you.

How do you find an ATV dealership owner who is willing to talk to you but doesn't live nearby?

Simple. Let your fingers do the walking by using the link below.

  • Get In Touch With ATV Dealership Owners

Why Buy an ATV Dealership?

As a rule, would-be startup owners are better off buying an existing ATV dealership. Yet many new entrepreneurs find it hard to resist the allure of an ATV dealership startup.

Financing and funding concerns ought to play a central role in your strategy. Commercial lenders are usually more inclined to fund acquisitions than startups.

Although there are a lot of factors to consider, the decision to buy a business to get acquisition capital almost always pays off.

Consider Franchising

You should know that your odds of thriving in your new business are much greater if you purchase a franchise instead of doing it all on your own.

Before you get too far along in your plan to open an ATV dealership, it's worthwhile to assess whether purchasing a franchise might help you avoid common entrepreneurial mistakes.

The link below gives you access to our franchise directory so you can see if there's a franchise opportunity for you. You might even find something that points you in a completely different direction.

  • How to Buy a Franchise

More Advice for Startups

These additional resources regarding getting started as an entrepreneur may be of interest to you.

Free Business Plan Templates

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Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

 

Used Motor Vehicle, Motorcycle, or APV Dealer

December 10, 2020 | Agency

Used Motor Vehicle, Motorcycle, or APV Dealer

Used Motor Vehicle, Motorcycle or APV Dealer License

A dealer primarily engaged in the business of selling one of the following: used motor vehicles, used motorcycles, used off-highway motorcycles, or used all-purpose vehicles.

Reasons for Denial of a License

Applications may be denied for reasons listed in Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) 4517.12 and Ohio Administrative Code 4501:1-3-09 which include:

  • Having been convicted of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to a disqualifying offense as determined under section 9.79 of the R.C.

For further information on disqualifying offenses – click here.

Physical Location Requirements

  • Verify with local authorities the zoning regulations for the proposed facility. The Dealer Licensing Section does not preempt the enforcement by local authorities of zoning, health, safety codes or laws.
  • The established place of business must be separated from any residence, or unrelated business.
  • The proposed location must be easily accessible and identified as a motor vehicle dealership.
  • Must have the following:
    • A lot of at least 3,500 square feet, not including driveways or office, with adequate ground cover of a hard surface (gravel, concrete, etc. ) that is free of the collection of dust, mud, water or other unsightly conditions.
  • The display lot must be separated from any other business, service facility*, or residence with a permanent physical barrier. The separation MUST be maintained as approved during the entire period for which the license is held.
  • Must have a permanent office of at least a contiguous 180 square feet with walls of a hard surface, usable office area, located on the display lot, which shall be kept in a neat and orderly fashion. The office must include a desk, three chairs, filing cabinets or similar furnishings and a telephone in service at all times that is answered in the dealership's name, with the business telephone number posted in a conspicuous place in public view. The office must also include adequate lighting, electrical service, heating, and ventilation that is secure and safe for a retail office environment. The office shall not be used for storage or other utility area.
  • A permanent sign in the registered name of the business as it appears on the application, with letters of at least six inches high. The business sign shall be prominently displayed, properly maintained and permanent.
  • A business telephone must be in service at all times and answered in the dealership’s name. The business telephone number must be legibly posted in a conspicuous place in public view.
  • The business hours must be maintained and legibly posted in a conspicuous place near the entrance of the office.

*Service Facility – A physical barrier is not required between a dealership and a service facility if the established place of business is owned and operated by each person listed on the dealer’s license.

  • The display lot or area must be distinguishable through signage, for the motor vehicles that are being repaired, motor vehicles being offered for sale, and customer parking.
  • A private office must be available that is conducive to transacting business in a private manner.
  • The dealership must be staffed by a licensed salesperson or owner at all times during the posted business hours.

NOTE: A physical inspection will be performed by BMV Investigations prior to or after the issuance of the license. If the licensed location fails to meet any of the listed requirements, the license will immediately be referred to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Board for possible suspension or revocation of the license.

Registrar Review Process

A permanent physical barrier is a fixture or feature of the property that distinguishes the display lot or area from the residences or other business, compromised of metal, brick, stone, concrete, wood, heavy support cable, landscaping, curbing or other comparable feature that creates a distinct space for the display lot. If the barrier requirement cannot be met, a written request to the registrar for an exception to the requirement may be submitted. The request must include a plan that clearly identifies, distinguishes and shows all of the following:

  • How a distinction (through signage or other measures) will be made between any vehicles the dealer is offering for sale versus any vehicles that belong to customers or employees;
  • The established place of business has no health or safety threats to customers, neighbors or neighboring businesses;
  • The property was purchased or leased in good faith; and
  • The dealer has made a reasonable effort to comply with barrier requirements as set forth in Section 4501:1-3-08 of the Ohio Administrative Code.

Used Dealer Requirements

  • A used motor vehicle training course must be completed prior to applying for a used motor vehicle dealer’s license (O.R.C. 4517.05).
  • A used motor vehicle dealer shall not be issued a license or permitted to operate under a license unless the dealer has secured a surety bond in the applied business name in the amount of $25,000 that is posted with the Attorney General’s Office in favor of this state. The surety bond must be maintained during the entire period for which the license is held.

Required Documentation for Licensing

  1. A copy of the certificate from the Secretary of State showing the business has been registered. (Exemption: Sole Proprietor and Partnership)
  2. A copy of the certificate from the Secretary of State showing a fictitious or trade name has been registered.
  3. Each person listed on the application in the Ownership Section are required to complete a criminal history record through the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI). For detailed information, see our Criminal History Record Requirements.
  4. A copy of a Certificate of Completion from an approved authorized Used Motor Vehicle Course Provider.
  5. Proof that the $25,000 surety bond has been secured with a bond or insurance company.
  6. Photographs of the location must be submitted via mail or e-mail (JPEG format). The required photographs are listed on the application.

Plates

Dealers are required to purchase at least one dealer plate.

NOTE: A reasonable number of additional plates may be requested to support the business. However, the plates may not be used contrary to uses as specified in the Ohio Revised Code 4503.27. Plates used for any other purpose may be reduced or subject to confiscation.

How to check an ATV before buying

Suspension. Shock absorbers must be free of oil, and CV boots must be free of holes through which moisture can enter. To check the condition of the wheel bearings and hub bushings, you need to raise the ATV with a jack and shake the wheels vertically and horizontally - if there is play, one of these parts is worn out. Most often these are bearings. You also need to check all the suspension arms for play - perhaps ball bearings or silent blocks need to be replaced.

ATV with working shock absorbers lowers and rises evenly - when pressing on the rear or front, one of the sides should not sag.

Transmission. Gearboxes must be free of oil leaks and cracks. The oil in them can be checked by lowering a plastic clamp into the filler neck or unscrewing the drain bolts: it’s bad if the liquid is opaque, it contains chips or other foreign particles. To check the modes of operation of the transmission, you need to jack up the front of the ATV. When all-wheel drive is on, when turning the left wheel, the right wheel should rotate in the opposite direction, and vice versa. When the differential lock is engaged, both wheels rotate in the same direction. Transfers should be included without effort and crunch.

Engine. It must be free of oil. A serviceable motor starts in 2-3 seconds and works without a metallic rattle, an arbitrary increase and decrease in idle speed.

Bad sign - black oil or with foreign particles. Normally it is transparent.

The malfunction is also indicated by black, white or blue smoke from the exhaust pipe, as well as the smell of burning. At idle, the exhaust gases of a serviceable ATV are almost transparent.

It is advisable to measure the compression in the cylinders - this will require a compression meter with adapters for different threads of the candles and knowledge of the normal compression value in the cylinders of a particular ATV model, taking into account the decompression meter.

Coolant . You need to check with a cold engine. The antifreeze level must be between the minimum mark "LOW" and the maximum "FULL". The liquid should not be cloudy. If there is sediment or dirty “flakes” under the radiator cap, the motor was poorly maintained and may have overheated.

Air filter . If there are oil stains on it, most likely the ATV turned over.

Electrical . It is necessary to check the operation of the parking lights, high and low beams, turn signals, alarms, horns, heating, winches. Error indicators - for example, an electric booster - should go out when the engine is started.

Electric power steering . With the ATV running and jacked up, turn the steering wheel left, right, then center. With a working electric power steering, the steering wheel does not turn on its own.

Frame. Cracks, extensive corrosion, welding spots, stripped or fresh paint in the places where the suspension arms are attached, on the arms themselves and on the bottom of the frame - a reason to refuse to buy. Cracks or welding in the cargo platform area are not critical.

The difference in one or more bolts of the engine, variator or bridge, as well as traces of sealant on the crankcase connectors, indicates that the assembly was disassembled to fix the breakdown.

ATV in good working order does not pull to one side. When moving back and forth with the wheels fully inverted, there is no cod. The start of movement and acceleration without jerks and bumps. When you turn on the four-wheel drive and differential lock, it becomes more difficult to turn the steering wheel.

How to choose the best used ATV?

Of course, when buying an ATV, like any product, any buyer wants to get the best product for the best price. And this natural desire is quite easy to fulfill if you make some, not at all big efforts. Let me give you some simple tips on how to choose ATVs.

1. before considering this or that model, decide what exactly you plan to use the ATV for - Kazuma ATVs can be both utilitarian and sports, and it depends on whether you plan to compete with it or just want to clear the snow around the country house. which quad bike is best for you. Choosing a sports ATV for trips to the beach in the summer or transporting soil to a construction site is akin to hammering nails with a microscope, of course, there is a result, but the investment clearly does not justify it.

2. After making a major decision, take a walk around the motorcycle shops and look at the offers. It will be best to try on the models for yourself, whether you are comfortable driving, whether you feel comfortable enough. There are a lot of good models from different manufacturers, but not every good model is right for you.

3. When you have decided on one or a couple of models, do not rush to the store with money. Compare the prices of your chosen models in different stores, consider not only the figure itself, but also everything that is included in the purchase of an ATV - warranty, maintenance, additional devices. Don't forget to check out the online stores. The difference in prices in different stores can be quite significant. Just don't forget that the price of an online store must also be added to the cost of shipping if the store does not offer free shipping.

4. When choosing an ATV, make sure you find a place to repair it, if it's a completely unknown Chinese brand, be sure to make sure that the store selling it can provide you with warranty and post-warranty repairs.

5. Don't treat the price as final, if you are ready to buy an ATV, why not ask for a discount, and you can do it both in a regular and online store. Believe me, you will be met much more often than you might think. And the savings can be very, very significant.

Now a little about how to choose a used ATV. Most often, second-hand ATVs are bought due to significant money savings. However, this saving does not always turn out to be beneficial, especially when the ATV turns into a source of endless breakdowns and problems, without bringing the long-awaited joy.

The question of what to look for when choosing a used ATV is not an easy one. However, some right questions and analysis will allow you to reduce the risk, if not to zero, but quite significantly.

With the growing popularity of this vehicle, there are more and more used ATVs on the market and today you can easily find many offers related to the sale of used vehicles.
Before you decide to buy a used ATV of any brand, find out information about the manufacturer and the model you have chosen. You can go online and read discussions on the forum or contact the store and get advice from the seller.

When buying, it is important not to chase the minimum price, but to pay attention to the quality of the goods offered to you. Don't buy cheap stuff that doesn't inspire confidence. Be sure to compare several offers, because even used ATVs are asking for too much.

If you are satisfied with the quality, it's time to talk to the seller. Learn from him about how the ATV was operated and the maximum information about the device. First of all, you should be interested in the following questions: