Margin scheme or VAT qualifying: decide per car, not per invoice
Most used cars bought from private sellers are sold under the second-hand margin scheme, where the invoice shows no VAT and VAT is accounted for on your margin. VAT-qualifying cars show VAT on the invoice. Mistakes happen when the treatment is chosen at the last minute by whoever raises the invoice.
DealerPilot records the VAT treatment on the vehicle and sale, with a dealership-wide default, so the Deal Desk raises a margin-scheme or VAT-qualifying invoice consistently. Your accountant still confirms the right treatment for your business.
Deposits, balances and extras on one deal
Align sales records with invoice issuance: reservation deposits, balance payments, part-exchange allowances, finance payouts and extras should trace to the same deal record. When sales and admin disagree, you usually find duplicate entry or “off-system” promises.
In DealerPilot the reservation and deposit carry straight into the sale, the invoice is signed on screen and emailed before the customer leaves, and finance company payouts are tracked against the deal.
Costs in, so margin is real
Margin-scheme VAT depends on knowing what a car cost. Record purchase price, purchase invoices, prep, MOT, parts and outside work against the car as they happen, against the vendor or garage that charged them. You can choose which staff roles see cost prices, and export monthly sales for your accountant.