Independent used car dealers run the most capital-hungry small business in America with the least institutional support. No factory floor plan assistance, no manufacturer co-op money - just you, the auction, and your bank balance deciding how many units you can carry.
The good news: an entire lending ecosystem now exists specifically for independents, and it's more competitive than it's been in years. Here's how to work it.
Start with the constraint: how many units can you stock?
Most independents are inventory-constrained, not demand-constrained. If you retail 12 units a month off a 20-unit lot, a floor plan that lets you stock 35 doesn't just add inventory - it adds selection, which adds walk-ins, which compounds. Dealers who go from cash-only to floored inventory routinely report 40-80% unit growth inside two quarters.
Independent-friendly floor plans (no franchise required) advance 90-100% at auction, run 9-13% APR, and start at lines as small as $50K for newer dealers.
The used-dealer capital stack, in order
- Floor plan line - stock the lot without your cash ($50K-$1M+ for independents)
- Recon budget via working capital - every $1 of smart recon returns $2-3 at retail; don't let recon bottleneck floored units
- A small line of credit - transport, auction fees, the odd cash deal that's too good to pass
- Equipment financing - if you run your own recon: lift, paint, detail bay
The 45-day rule
Aged inventory is where floored dealers die. Price to move by day 45: the first markdown is the cheapest markdown. A unit that exits at $400 less gross on day 40 beats the same unit exiting at full gross on day 110 - after curtailments, interest and lot rot, it isn't close.
60-Second Funding Check
No credit pull. No obligation. Just a straight answer.
What do you need funding for?
What lenders want to see from an independent
- Dealer license, bond and garage liability in force
- 6+ months operating (under that: stronger personal credit carries the file)
- Bank statements showing deposits that match reported sales
- A clean auction history (AuctionACCESS record) helps more than dealers realize
Independents are our core customer
Dealerun was built for exactly this profile - the 15-to-100-unit independent that big banks ignore. Our partners fund used car dealers every single day: floor plans, recon capital, expansion money. One application, competing offers, funding in as fast as 24 hours.
See what your lot qualifies for
Two minutes. No credit impact. Real numbers from lenders who actually fund independents.
FAQ
Can I get a floor plan for an online-only dealership?+
Yes - several partners floor online and wholesale-focused dealers. Expect GPS or photo-based audits instead of physical lot checks, and have your storage/reconditioning arrangement documented.
How big a floor plan should I start with?+
Sized to your realistic 60-day sales pace, not your ambition. Retailing 10/month? A $250-300K line (about 15-18 average units) gives growth room without aging risk. Prove the turn, then expand - lines grow fast with clean history.
What if my personal credit took hits building the business?+
You're the rule, not the exception. Floor plan and working capital programs exist into the low 600s and sometimes below - deposits and turn history do the heavy lifting. A specialist can usually find a workable structure.
Get a callback from a funding specialist
Real questions, straight answers - no scripts, no pressure.
No credit impact. We never sell your information.
Ready to put this to work?
See what funding your business qualifies for - it takes two minutes and won't affect your credit.