How Much Does a Dealer Make On a Sale?

The answer is "not very much."
Aaron Turpen
Posted by February 7, 2026

Exactly how much does a new car dealer profit selling a car to a customer? The question is a good one and one I’ve tangentially answered before. The answer is “not very much.” The profits aren’t in the sale, but in the things around and after the sale.

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Aaron Turpen
Aaron Turpen
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An automotive enthusiast for most of his adult life, Aaron has worked in and around the industry in many ways. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) and freelances as a writer and journalist around the Web and in print. You can find his portfolio at AaronOnAutos.com.