'Car boot queen' says nine items can be 'flipped' for hundreds of pounds
'Car boot queen' says nine items can be 'flipped' for hundreds of pounds
Ellie Macsymons has outlined the items she picks up at car boot sales to sell online for profit
Ellie Macsymons
(Image: NetVoucherCodes )
Car boot sales are a treasure trove for savvy resellers, if you know what to look for. Among the mountains of used toys, mismatched mugs, and bric-a-brac, there are hidden gems that can be flipped for serious cash online.
'Car Boot Queen' Ellie Macsymons from NetVoucherCodes has put together a list of the top nine items you can find at car boot sales that could sell for hundreds of pounds.
Ellie said: 'Car boot sales are the perfect place to spot a deal. Often sellers don't know what kind of treasure they have right under their nose, and often sell luxury items for a fraction of their price. If you know what you're looking for, you could resell some of these items for hundreds of pounds, giving you an extra boost coming into summer'
'If you're new to flipping items, start small by buying things you can test easily and know a bit about. As you gain experience, you'll start spotting those lucrative gems more quickly. And remember: always check sold listings on eBay to get a realistic idea of an item's value, not just the asking price.'
Nine items to buy at car boot sales to sell online
Vintage Pyrex dishes
Those colourful patterned dishes your nan used to cook with are hot property right now. Patterns like "Gooseberry," "Butterprint," or "Snowflake" can fetch impressive prices among collectors and retro homeware fans. These dishes can resell for anywhere from £30 to £150 depending on rarity and condition. However, watch out for chips, cracks, cloudy glass (often from dishwasher damage), and faded patterns can all reduce the value significantly.
Article continues below
Retro gaming consoles and games
From Game Boys to Sega Mega Drives, vintage gaming is booming. Enthusiasts and nostalgic millennials are snapping up working consoles and original games. Even common titles can fetch £20–£30, while rare ones can be worth hundreds. vintage consoles can resell for £40–£200+, with rare games up to £300+. Even just the packaging can sell for £100+ on resale sites. For the full resale value, make sure consoles aren't missing power leads or controllers and check game cartridges for corrosion or heavy scratches.
Branded vintage clothing
90s and Y2K fashion is having a moment. Look out for denim jackets, branded hoodies, and old-school trainers from labels like Levi's, Adidas, Burberry, or Ralph Lauren. Such brands can resell for £20–£150, depending on the brand and piece, and often, car boot sellers don't know what gems they're holding onto. Keep an eye out for fakes, which can be common at car boots and markets, especially with designer labels. Examine stitching, tags, and quality carefully and avoid anything with stains or obvious damage, unless it can be cleaned easily.
Mid-Century furniture and decor
Small furniture items like teak side tables, magazine racks, or atomic-era mirrors can be snapped up cheap and sold for a tidy profit, especially to buyers into interior design or vintage styling. The roof is the limit with vintage furniture, but it can sell to the right buyer from £40–£300+. Watch out for damage to veneers, signs of woodworm, or newer mass-produced items that just look retro, which will heavily affect the resale price.
LEGO sets
LEGO holds its value incredibly well, especially themed or discontinued sets like Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Architecture collections. Even bulk bags of random bricks can go for good money. Sets and boxes of well-kept LEGO can be sold for £20–£200+, depending on completeness and theme. However, things like missing mini-figures, incomplete instructions, or knock-off bricks (real LEGO has the brand name stamped on every stud) can make them essentially worthless.
Car boot sales can be treasure troves
(Image: Getty Images )
Vintage cameras
Film photography is more popular than ever, and so the demand for vintage cameras like Olympus Trip 35, Pentax Spotmatic, or old Polaroids have skyrocketed. Just a quick scroll on TikTok will show a new wave of influencers sporting their retro film cameras or camcorders. Enthusiasts and collectors alike are hunting for usable gear and often the easiest place to find this is at car boot sales. These finds can resell from £25–£150+, but watch out for rusty battery compartments, sticky shutters, or broken lenses. If it's a Polaroid, make sure the film type it uses is still available.
Rare or first edition books
Old books might not seem like big earners, but first editions, niche cookbooks, out-of-print art or photography volumes, and certain children's books can be surprisingly valuable. These gems can resell for £20–£500+. Ideally books should include their dusk jackets (better yet if they're preserved in plastic, but then the seller might know their value) and make sure they don't have torn pages or heavy wear. Ex-library copies are usually worth less.
Designer handbags or accessories
It's rare, but not impossible to find genuine designer pieces at car boot sales, especially older styles that people assume are worthless. Think Mulberry, Coach, even vintage Gucci or Fendi. Vintage designer handbags can resell anywhere from £50 to £400+. Remember, counterfeits are a huge problem for designer pieces. Look for serial numbers, logo placement, stitching quality, and branded hardware. If it looks too good to be true, it might be.
Article continues below
Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, or Denby Ceramics
Classic British ceramics are still popular with collectors and stylists. Look for teapots, dinner sets, or figurines, especially limited editions or discontinued ranges. The number of times someone picked up an unassuming ceramic piece at a car boot sale and then found it was worth five figures on shows like Antiques Roadshow is endless. These pieces can resell for £30–£200, depending on condition and pattern. Crazing (fine cracks in the glaze) will lower the resale amount, as will missing pieces, or heavily used sets.
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Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Daily Record
'Car boot queen' says you can flip these 9 items for hundreds of pounds
Cheap items found at car boot sales can actually be worth a lot of money. Car boot sales are a treasure trove for savvy shoppers, if you know exactly what to look out for. Among the mountains of used toys, mismatched mugs, and bric-a-brac, there are hidden gems that buyers can resell for hundreds of pounds online. Netvouchercode' s Ellie Macsymons, who has been dubbed the Car Boot Queen, said shoppers can often pick up a little treasure that sellers don't realise is actually worth a pretty penny. She said: "Car boot sales are the perfect place to spot a deal. "Often sellers don't know what kind of treasure they have right under their nose, and often sell luxury items for a fraction of their price. If you know what you're looking for, you could resell some of these items for hundreds of pounds, giving you an extra boost coming into summer. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "If you're new to flipping items, start small by buying things you can test easily and know a bit about. As you gain experience, you'll start spotting those lucrative gems more quickly. And remember: always check sold listings on eBay to get a realistic idea of an item's value, not just the asking price.' Ellie has put together a list of the top 9 items you can find at car boot sales that could actually make you money in the long run. 1. Vintage Pyrex Dishes Those colourful patterned dishes your nan used to cook with? They're hot property right now. Patterns like gooseberry, butterprint, or snowflake can fetch impressive prices among collectors and retro homeware fans. These dishes can resell for anywhere from £30 to £150 depending on rarity and condition. However, watch out for chips, cracks, cloudy glass (often from dishwasher damage), and faded patterns can all reduce the value significantly. 2. Retro Gaming Consoles & Games From Game Boys to Sega Mega Drives, vintage gaming is booming. Enthusiasts and nostalgic millennials are snapping up working consoles and original games. Even common titles can fetch £20–£30, while rare ones can be worth hundreds. vintage consoles can resell for £40–£200+, with rare games up to £300+. Even just the packaging can sell for £100+ on resale sites. For the full resale value, make sure consoles aren't missing power leads or controllers and check game cartridges for corrosion or heavy scratches. 3. Branded Vintage Clothing 90s and Y2K fashion is having a moment. Look out for denim jackets, branded hoodies, and old-school trainers from labels like Levi's, Adidas, Burberry, or Ralph Lauren. Such brands can resell for £20–£150 depending on the brand and piece and often car boot sellers don't know what gems they're holding onto. Keep an eye out for fakes which can be common at car boots and markets, especially with designer labels. Examine stitching, tags, and quality carefully and avoid anything with stains or obvious damage, unless it can be cleaned easily. 4. Mid-Century Furniture & Decor Small furniture items like teak side tables, magazine racks, or atomic-era mirrors can be snapped up cheap and sold on for a tidy profit, especially to buyers into interior design or vintage styling. The roof is the limit with vintage furniture, but can sell to the right buyer from £40–£300+. Watch out for damage to veneers, signs of woodworm, or newer mass-produced items that just look retro which will heavily effect the resale price. 5. LEGO Sets LEGO holds its value incredibly well, especially themed or discontinued sets like Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Architecture collections. Even bulk bags of random bricks can go for good money. Sets and boxes of well-kept LEGO can be sold for £20–£200+ depending on completeness and theme. However, things like missing mini-figures, incomplete instructions, or knock-off bricks (real LEGO has the brand name stamped on every stud) can make them essentially worthless. 6. Vintage Cameras Film photography is more popular than ever, and so the demand for vintage cameras like Olympus Trip 35, Pentax Spotmatic, or old Polaroids have skyrocketed. Just a quick scroll on TikTok will show a new wave of influencers sporting their retro film cameras or camcorders. Enthusiasts and collectors alike are hunting for usable gear and often the easiest place to find this is at car boot sales. These finds can resell from £25–£150+ but watch out for rusty battery compartments, sticky shutters, or broken lenses. If it's a Polaroid, make sure the film type it uses is still available. 7. Rare or First Edition Books Old books might not seem like big earners, but first editions, niche cookbooks, out-of-print art or photography volumes, and certain children's books can be surprisingly valuable. These gems can resell for £20–£500+. Ideally books should include their dusk jackets (better yet if they're preserved in plastic, but then the seller might know their value) and make sure they don't have torn pages or heavy wear. Ex-library copies are usually worth less. 8. Designer Handbags or Accessories It's rare, but not impossible to find genuine designer pieces at car boot sales, especially older styles people assume are worthless. Think Mulberry, Coach, even vintage Gucci or Fendi. Vintage designer handbags can resell anywhere from £50 to £400+. Remember, counterfeits are a huge problem for designer pieces. Look for serial numbers, logo placement, stitching quality, and branded hardware. If it looks too good to be true, it might be. 9. Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, or Denby Ceramics Classic British ceramics are still popular with collectors and stylists. Look for teapots, dinner sets, or figurines, especially limited editions or discontinued ranges. The number of times someone picked up an unassuming ceramic piece at a car boot sale and then found it was worth five figures on shows like Antiques Roadshow is endless. These pieces can resell for £30–£200 depending on condition and pattern. Crazing (fine cracks in the glaze) will lower the resale amount, as will missing pieces, or heavily used sets.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Car boot queen' lists nine 'flip' items to sell online for hundreds
Expert tips on what to look out for when buying at car boot sales, including vintage Pyrex dishes, branded clothing and retro gaming consoles that can be sold for a profit online Car boot sales could be your golden ticket to a cash windfall, especially if you've got an eye for bargains. Buried beneath piles of odds and ends, from preloved playthings to mismatched crockery, lie treasure-worthy finds that savvy flippers can sell on for a tidy sum. "Car Boot Queen" Ellie Macsymons from NetVoucherCodes has revealed her top picks of car boot must-haves that might just net you a small fortune. Ellie said: "Car boot sales are the perfect place to spot a deal. Often sellers don't know what kind of treasure they have right under their nose, and often sell luxury items for a fraction of their price. If you know what you're looking for, you could resell some of these items for hundreds of pounds, giving you an extra boost coming into summer. "If you're new to flipping items, start small by buying things you can test easily and know a bit about. As you gain experience, you'll start spotting those lucrative gems more quickly. And remember: always check sold listings on eBay to get a realistic idea of an item's value, not just the asking price." Nine items to buy at car boot sales to sell online Vintage Pyrex dishes Nan's old patterned dishes are all the rage nowadays, with "Gooseberry", "Butterprint," and "Snowflake" fetching handsome sums from collectors and vintage kitchenware enthusiasts, selling for £30 to £150 based on scarcity and state. Nonetheless, be wary of diminished value due to wear like chips, cracks, murky glass (often dishwasher-related), or fading patterns. Retro gaming consoles and games The retro gaming scene is thriving with gear like Game Boys and Sega Mega Drives in high demand among buffs and yearning millennials, commanding £20–£30 for common titles and a mint for rarer finds. Vintage consoles can resell for £40–£200+, and precious game up to £300+, while even original boxes might fetch over £100 online. Ensure full resale price by checking that consoles have all cables, aren't missing controllers, and watch out for tarnished or badly scratched cartridges. Branded vintage clothing 90s and Y2K fashion is all the rage right now. Keep your eyes peeled for denim jackets, branded hoodies, and retro trainers from big names like Levi's, Adidas, Burberry, or Ralph Lauren. These brands can fetch anywhere between £20–£150 on resale, depending on the brand and item, and often, car boot sellers are unaware of the treasures they possess. Be vigilant for counterfeits, which are rife at car boots and markets, particularly with designer labels. Scrutinise stitching, tags, and quality meticulously and steer clear of anything with stains or noticeable damage, unless it can be cleaned effortlessly. Mid-Century furniture and decor Compact furniture items such as teak side tables, magazine racks, or atomic-era mirrors can be bought for a song and sold for a handsome profit, especially to buyers who are into interior design or vintage styling. The sky's the limit with vintage furniture, but it can sell to the right buyer from £40–£300+. Be wary of damage to veneers, signs of woodworm, or newer mass-produced items that merely look retro, which will significantly affect the resale price. LEGO sets LEGO sets, particularly themed or discontinued collections like Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Architecture, hold their value remarkably well. Even bags of random bricks can fetch a pretty penny. Well-preserved LEGO sets and boxes can be sold for £20–£200+, depending on the theme and completeness. However, factors such as missing mini-figures, incomplete instructions, or counterfeit bricks (genuine LEGO has the brand name stamped on every stud) can render them virtually worthless. Vintage cameras The popularity of film photography is soaring, leading to an increased demand for vintage cameras like Olympus Trip 35, Pentax Spotmatic, or old Polaroids. A quick scroll through TikTok reveals a new generation of influencers flaunting their retro film cameras or camcorders. Enthusiasts and collectors are on the hunt for usable gear, often found at car boot sales. These finds can resell from £25–£150+, but beware of rusty battery compartments, sticky shutters, or broken lenses. If it's a Polaroid, ensure the film type it uses is still available. Rare or first edition books Old books may not appear to be big money-makers, but first editions, specialist cookbooks, out-of-print art or photography volumes, and certain children's books can fetch a pretty penny. These treasures can resell for £20–£500+. Ideally, books should come with their dust jackets (even better if they're preserved in plastic, but then the seller might be aware of their value) and ensure they don't have torn pages or heavy wear. Ex-library copies are typically worth less. Designer handbags or accessories It's uncommon, but not unheard of to find authentic designer items at car boot sales, particularly older styles that people presume are worthless. Think Mulberry, Coach, even vintage Gucci or Fendi. Vintage designer handbags can resell anywhere from £50 to £400+. Remember, counterfeits are a massive issue for designer pieces. Look for serial numbers, logo placement, stitching quality, and branded hardware. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, or Denby Ceramics Classic British ceramics continue to be a hit with collectors and stylists. Keep an eye out for teapots, dinner sets, or figurines, particularly limited editions or discontinued ranges. The tales are countless of people who've stumbled upon a seemingly ordinary ceramic piece at a car boot sale, only to discover it's worth a small fortune on programmes like Antiques Roadshow. These items can fetch between £30–£200, depending on their condition and pattern. Be aware that crazing (fine cracks in the glaze) will decrease the resale value, as will missing pieces, or heavily used sets.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Wales Online
'Car boot queen' says nine items can be 'flipped' for hundreds of pounds
'Car boot queen' says nine items can be 'flipped' for hundreds of pounds Ellie Macsymons has outlined the items she picks up at car boot sales to sell online for profit Ellie Macsymons (Image: NetVoucherCodes ) Car boot sales are a treasure trove for savvy resellers, if you know what to look for. Among the mountains of used toys, mismatched mugs, and bric-a-brac, there are hidden gems that can be flipped for serious cash online. 'Car Boot Queen' Ellie Macsymons from NetVoucherCodes has put together a list of the top nine items you can find at car boot sales that could sell for hundreds of pounds. Ellie said: 'Car boot sales are the perfect place to spot a deal. Often sellers don't know what kind of treasure they have right under their nose, and often sell luxury items for a fraction of their price. If you know what you're looking for, you could resell some of these items for hundreds of pounds, giving you an extra boost coming into summer' 'If you're new to flipping items, start small by buying things you can test easily and know a bit about. As you gain experience, you'll start spotting those lucrative gems more quickly. And remember: always check sold listings on eBay to get a realistic idea of an item's value, not just the asking price.' Nine items to buy at car boot sales to sell online Vintage Pyrex dishes Those colourful patterned dishes your nan used to cook with are hot property right now. Patterns like "Gooseberry," "Butterprint," or "Snowflake" can fetch impressive prices among collectors and retro homeware fans. These dishes can resell for anywhere from £30 to £150 depending on rarity and condition. However, watch out for chips, cracks, cloudy glass (often from dishwasher damage), and faded patterns can all reduce the value significantly. Article continues below Retro gaming consoles and games From Game Boys to Sega Mega Drives, vintage gaming is booming. Enthusiasts and nostalgic millennials are snapping up working consoles and original games. Even common titles can fetch £20–£30, while rare ones can be worth hundreds. vintage consoles can resell for £40–£200+, with rare games up to £300+. Even just the packaging can sell for £100+ on resale sites. For the full resale value, make sure consoles aren't missing power leads or controllers and check game cartridges for corrosion or heavy scratches. Branded vintage clothing 90s and Y2K fashion is having a moment. Look out for denim jackets, branded hoodies, and old-school trainers from labels like Levi's, Adidas, Burberry, or Ralph Lauren. Such brands can resell for £20–£150, depending on the brand and piece, and often, car boot sellers don't know what gems they're holding onto. Keep an eye out for fakes, which can be common at car boots and markets, especially with designer labels. Examine stitching, tags, and quality carefully and avoid anything with stains or obvious damage, unless it can be cleaned easily. Mid-Century furniture and decor Small furniture items like teak side tables, magazine racks, or atomic-era mirrors can be snapped up cheap and sold for a tidy profit, especially to buyers into interior design or vintage styling. The roof is the limit with vintage furniture, but it can sell to the right buyer from £40–£300+. Watch out for damage to veneers, signs of woodworm, or newer mass-produced items that just look retro, which will heavily affect the resale price. LEGO sets LEGO holds its value incredibly well, especially themed or discontinued sets like Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Architecture collections. Even bulk bags of random bricks can go for good money. Sets and boxes of well-kept LEGO can be sold for £20–£200+, depending on completeness and theme. However, things like missing mini-figures, incomplete instructions, or knock-off bricks (real LEGO has the brand name stamped on every stud) can make them essentially worthless. Car boot sales can be treasure troves (Image: Getty Images ) Vintage cameras Film photography is more popular than ever, and so the demand for vintage cameras like Olympus Trip 35, Pentax Spotmatic, or old Polaroids have skyrocketed. Just a quick scroll on TikTok will show a new wave of influencers sporting their retro film cameras or camcorders. Enthusiasts and collectors alike are hunting for usable gear and often the easiest place to find this is at car boot sales. These finds can resell from £25–£150+, but watch out for rusty battery compartments, sticky shutters, or broken lenses. If it's a Polaroid, make sure the film type it uses is still available. Rare or first edition books Old books might not seem like big earners, but first editions, niche cookbooks, out-of-print art or photography volumes, and certain children's books can be surprisingly valuable. These gems can resell for £20–£500+. Ideally books should include their dusk jackets (better yet if they're preserved in plastic, but then the seller might know their value) and make sure they don't have torn pages or heavy wear. Ex-library copies are usually worth less. Designer handbags or accessories It's rare, but not impossible to find genuine designer pieces at car boot sales, especially older styles that people assume are worthless. Think Mulberry, Coach, even vintage Gucci or Fendi. Vintage designer handbags can resell anywhere from £50 to £400+. Remember, counterfeits are a huge problem for designer pieces. Look for serial numbers, logo placement, stitching quality, and branded hardware. If it looks too good to be true, it might be. Article continues below Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, or Denby Ceramics Classic British ceramics are still popular with collectors and stylists. Look for teapots, dinner sets, or figurines, especially limited editions or discontinued ranges. The number of times someone picked up an unassuming ceramic piece at a car boot sale and then found it was worth five figures on shows like Antiques Roadshow is endless. These pieces can resell for £30–£200, depending on condition and pattern. Crazing (fine cracks in the glaze) will lower the resale amount, as will missing pieces, or heavily used sets.
