Car Sales Executive Job Description
Sell new and used vehicles, convert showroom and online enquiries, and manage customer relationships from initial contact through to handover. This role blends sales, product knowledge and customer service in a retail automotive setting.
What does a Car Sales Executive professional do?
A Car Sales Executive promotes and sells vehicles to retail and fleet customers, handles enquiries and viewings, negotiates deals and completes paperwork while meeting sales targets and maintaining strong customer service.
Car Sales Executive job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Car Sales Executive
About the role
[Company name] is looking for a motivated Car Sales Executive to join our team in [Location]. You will respond to customer enquiries, demonstrate vehicles, deliver persuasive sales conversations, negotiate terms and complete sales admin to handover. The role includes working weekends and occasional evenings. We offer a basic salary plus commission and [other benefits].
Key responsibilities
- Respond to showroom, phone and online enquiries promptly and professionally.
- Arrange and conduct vehicle viewings, test drives and demonstrations.
- Qualify customer needs and match them with suitable new or used vehicles and finance options.
- Negotiate prices, trade-in valuations and finalise sales agreements within authorised limits.
- Prepare and process sales paperwork, finance documentation and vehicle handovers accurately.
- Maintain product knowledge of current models, specifications, options and manufacturer promotions.
- Use the CRM to record activity, follow up leads and manage pipeline to meet targets.
- Work with service, finance and administration teams to coordinate handovers and aftersales.
Essential skills and experience
- Proven retail sales experience, preferably in automotive or a related sector.
- Strong customer-service and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Full UK driving licence and comfortable conducting test drives.
- Basic numeracy and attention to detail for handling payments and paperwork.
- Ability to work weekends and some evenings as required by showroom opening hours.
- Right to work in the UK.
Desirable
- Experience with dealer CRM systems and online advert platforms.
- Knowledge of vehicle finance products (PCP, HP, leasing) and dealer margins.
- Previous experience valuing part-exchange vehicles.
- Sales or product training qualifications (e.g. IMI awards) or a history of meeting targets.
- Familiarity with manufacturer processes for ordering and delivery.
What we offer
- Competitive commission scheme (details to be confirmed by employer)
- Holiday allowance (employer to specify)
- Pension contribution (employer to specify)
- Staff discount on vehicle purchases and servicing
- Training and career development opportunities
- Company recognition and performance bonuses (where applicable)
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Car Sales Executive role?
A Car Sales Executive sells new and used cars directly to consumers and fleet buyers. The role requires generating and converting leads, advising customers on options and finance, negotiating terms and completing sales administration. Successful executives balance product knowledge and relationship building to meet targets and support the dealership’s commercial objectives.
Typical hours
Shift pattern usually includes weekends and some evenings; full-time hours typical in retail showrooms.
Contract type
Permanent roles are common; fixed-term or temporary contracts may be used during busy periods.
Key performance
Measured against monthly sales targets, conversion rates and customer satisfaction.
Team & reporting
Works within a sales team, reporting to Sales Manager or Dealer Principal.
Typical Car Sales Executive responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Respond
Respond to showroom, phone and online enquiries promptly and professionally.
Arrange
Arrange and conduct vehicle viewings, test drives and demonstrations.
Qualify customer needs
Qualify customer needs and match them with suitable new or used vehicles and finance options.
Negotiate prices
Negotiate prices, trade-in valuations and finalise sales agreements within authorised limits.
Prepare
Prepare and process sales paperwork, finance documentation and vehicle handovers accurately.
Maintain product knowledge of current models
Maintain product knowledge of current models, specifications, options and manufacturer promotions.
Use the CRM
Use the CRM to record activity, follow up leads and manage pipeline to meet targets.
Work with service
Work with service, finance and administration teams to coordinate handovers and aftersales.
Car Sales Executive skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Proven retail sales experience, preferably in automotive or a related sector.
- Strong customer-service and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Full UK driving licence and comfortable conducting test drives.
- Basic numeracy and attention to detail for handling payments and paperwork.
- Ability to work weekends and some evenings as required by showroom opening hours.
- Right to work in the UK.
Useful where relevant
- Experience with dealer CRM systems and online advert platforms.
- Knowledge of vehicle finance products (PCP, HP, leasing) and dealer margins.
- Previous experience valuing part-exchange vehicles.
- Sales or product training qualifications (e.g. IMI awards) or a history of meeting targets.
- Familiarity with manufacturer processes for ordering and delivery.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Car Sales Executive job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be explicit about pay structure
State whether the role offers a basic salary plus commission, target-based bonuses or commission-only, and outline typical pay periods and payment of commissions.
Clarify working hours and shift expectations
Specify weekend and evening requirements, any rota patterns and whether overtime is expected or compensated.
Describe the customer mix
Note whether candidates will handle retail consumers, fleet accounts or a mix, and whether leads are provided or generated by the executive.
List essential checks and documents
Tell applicants you will verify driving licence and right to work in the UK; mention any identity or reference requirements early.
Highlight routes for progression
Point out internal development paths such as Senior Executive, Sales Manager or specialist roles (fleet/finance) to attract career-focused candidates.
Car Sales Executive salary considerations
Pay for Car Sales Executives varies because commission and bonus make up a significant portion of total earnings. Employers should explain how base pay, commission rates, targets, and any guarantees or draw arrangements interact rather than quoting a single market figure.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Car Sales Executive candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What is the basic salary and how is commission paid?
Candidates want clarity on base pay, commission rates, payment frequency and whether commissions are paid on delivery or sale completion.
What are the monthly/quarterly targets?
Experienced applicants will ask about realistic targets, how they’re measured, and what happens if targets aren’t met.
Will I receive leads or expected to source my own?
Clarify whether the dealership supplies showroom, telephone and digital leads, or if executives are expected to generate their own prospects.
What training and progression are offered?
Candidates want to know about product training, sales coaching and potential career pathways within the business.
Do you provide a company car or allowance?
If a vehicle, fuel card or car allowance is part of the package, confirm eligibility and any usage terms.
Where to post a Car Sales Executive job
Recruit this role through a mix of broad and specialist channels. Use national job boards and local classifieds to reach general retail sales candidates, automotive-focused job sites and manufacturer dealer networks for experienced motor sales staff, and LinkedIn or industry forums for senior or fleet-focused hires. Local outreach — such as community job centres and in-dealership signage — can also attract footfall applicants.
Car Sales Executive job description FAQs
Do Car Sales Executives need any formal qualifications?
No specific legal qualifications are required, but employers often prefer candidates with retail sales experience or industry certifications such as IMI awards. Practical selling skills and product knowledge are more important than formal credentials.
Is a driving licence mandatory?
A full UK driving licence is normally expected because test drives are a routine part of the role. Employers should verify licence status and any endorsements during recruitment.
What checks should I do before hiring?
Check right to work in the UK, request references, verify the driving licence, and carry out reasonable identity and employment-history checks. A DBS check is not routinely required for sales roles unless the employer’s safeguarding policy specifies it.
How should I structure commission?
Use a clear combination of base salary plus commission, with transparent targets and written policy on timing of commission payments, handling of cancellations/returns and dispute resolution. Consider tiered rates or bonuses for exceeding targets.
Should I advertise for experienced or entry-level candidates?
That depends on your offer: advertise for experienced sellers if you need immediate results or handle premium brands; advertise entry-level if you provide structured training and are prepared to invest in development.
Prepare your advert and hire confidently
Use the template details to build a clear advert that explains pay structure, hours and essential checks. Be transparent about expectations and progression to attract candidates who will perform and stay.
