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Used car dealer companies in the Bradford area

673 used car dealer companies have a registered office in the Bradford area (BD postcodes), and 228 of them were formed in 2025 or 2026. In their latest accounts, the typical one held £7,163 in cash and owed £20,959 at year end.

Companies House register, 1 September 2026, and accounts filed in the last twelve months. Compared with the official category “Sale of used cars and light motor vehicles” (SIC 45112). Covers companies with a registered office in BD postcodes.

The numbers

Used car dealer companies in the Bradford area (BD postcodes) compared with the same category across the UK. Typical figures are medians.
MeasureBradfordUK
Registered companies67337,612
Formed in 2025 or 2026228 (34%)30%
Being struck off or in liquidation98 (15%)14%
Typical cash at year end£7,16380 accounts£18,268
Typical amount owed at year end£20,959270 accounts£38,899
Typical number of employees1290 accounts1

What this means if you’re starting one

the Bradford area (BD postcodes) already has more of these businesses than most places

Used car dealer companies are 1.7% of companies registered in the Bradford area (BD postcodes), against 0.69% UK-wide (2.4× the national share).

Demand here is proven, but so is choice. Customers can compare you with several nearby options.

More of these companies are closing than in most trades

12% of used car dealer companies in the Bradford area (BD postcodes) are currently being struck off, against 8.2% of all companies there. Nationally that rate is higher than 92% of UK industries.

Closures run high here. It is a churn signal, not a survival rate, but it means the common failure points are worth learning before you start.

Most of these businesses are run by one or two people

The typical used car dealer company in the Bradford area (BD postcodes) reports 1 employee; the top quarter has 2 or more (290 filings).

You are mostly up against owner-operators. Your own hours are likely to be your biggest cost, and the easiest one to undercount.

Planning a business like this in Bradford?

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What these figures can’t tell you

Companies are counted where their registered office is, which may be an accountant or a home address rather than a shop. Sole traders and partnerships are not on the register, and electronically filed accounts cover roughly 60–75% of accounts filed each year. The figures describe companies that exist; they cannot prove demand for your idea or predict whether it will work. How the figures are built.

Used car dealer in other places

Other businesses in Bradford

All business benchmarks in Bradford