Most people hear the words ‘car boot sale’ and instantly imagine rows of unwanted household items, old toys, baby clothes and general junk spread across a field. The truth, however, couldn’t be more different, says UK dealer and car boot veteran Walter O’Neill.
For those of you who have never been to a British car boot sale, or seen one on television, let Walter explain what they truly are. They are the city life of the antiques world: fast-paced, busy, competitive and full of hustle. It is the very bottom of the trading pyramid, where ordinary people, collectors, dealers and bargain hunters all come together in search of opportunity.
Car boot sales in the UK are usually held in fields or on hard-standing sites. Sellers arrive by the hundreds and quite literally put up a table at the back of their car and sell whatever they could cram into it. The range of items is endless. One table may be covered in baby clothes and household goods, while the next could hold antique silver, jewellery, art or a rare collectable worth hundreds of pounds.
Generally, sellers are given 30 minutes to an hour to set up before the public is allowed through the gates. However, for the serious dealers, this is often the biggest opportunity of the day. This is their chance to walk the field, buying the real treasures before the crowds arrive. Not all car boot sales allow it, but many offer what is known as ‘early bird buying’, where dealers pay extra for access before the general public.
The atmosphere during this period is incredible. Dealers move around quickly, scanning tables and boxes, hoping to spot something special before anyone else. It’s competitive, fast-paced and occasionally chaotic, but it’s also where some of the best finds are made.
Want to read more? You can find the full-length version of Walter’s article in the current Spring 2026 issue of Antiques to Vintage magazine. Click here to find out more.
