8:50 am, October 23, 2026
Anyone who has ever hosted their family on Christmas Day will tell you that getting along with your relatives can be a struggle.
Now imagine working with them every day, too. From generational disagreements to sales meetings over supper, family dealerships have their own challenges – but the rewards can be just as big.
Family-run firms are a major part of the backbone of the motor trade but is it all worth it? We’ve been talking to dealers to find out what the best (and worst) things are about working with their nearest and dearest…
Different generations, different ideas
For Robin Luscombe, who works alongside his son Sam at Luscombe Motors, one of the biggest challenges is knowing when to step back and let the next generation take the lead.
He says the business benefits from having a more youthful perspective, but admits it can be difficult to resist getting involved.
‘Typically, when you’ve got an older person moving out and a younger person coming in, there are differences of opinion,’ he told Car Dealer.
‘Sometimes it’s difficult for me not to stick my nose in when he probably thinks I shouldn’t!’
Despite the difficulties in letting go, Luscombe senior has hailed the renewed sense of drive that Sam brings to the franchised group.
‘He’s still got the energy and enthusiasm to strive and push forward, whereas I’m probably at my comfort level,’ he said.
‘As you get older, you’re not as driven because you haven’t got your house on the line in the same way. You know you’re still going to survive.’
Luscombe believes there are other benefits of family working too – particularly when it comes to culture.
‘Family succession keeps the culture of the business intact,’ he said.
‘If it’s sold, it usually becomes part of a bigger group, and the ethos of how a family business works, and how people work within it, is different from that of a large group.’
Sharing the wins – and the losses
At Hilton Garage, George Manning works alongside his father Richard and grandfather David, giving the business three generations of family involvement.
For him, one of the biggest advantages is being able to celebrate success together.
But the emotional investment that makes those moments special can also make setbacks more difficult to take.
‘The best thing is you get to enjoy the wins together, equally, when things aren’t going too well, it hits 10 times harder,’ he said.
Car Dealer recently paid a visit to Hilton Garage, where 80-year-0ld David still works every day.
George told us at the time that his grandfather’s influence remains central to the way the business operates.
He said: ‘He’s 80 years of age and he’s still here every single day. He loves it and we’ve always built the business in that same way – the core values have never changed.
‘We’ve done a lot with technology, we’ve been very agile and evolved quickly but the whole ethos of being built around the customer has never changed and that comes from him.’
Despite the added pressure, Manning believes the arrangement is well worth it.
‘All in all, to be able to work with your family every day, it’s an easy trade-off,’ he told Car Dealer.
‘Having your surname can’t be a shortcut’
For Farhad Tailor, who works with his children Zaynah and Rayyan at V12 Sports & Classics, seeing the next generation develop has been one of the most rewarding parts of bringing family into the business.
Daughter Zaynah works in sales, while son Rayyan is involved in handovers. Watching them build confidence, take responsibility and establish themselve has given Tailor a different perspective on the business.
‘The best thing about working with your kids is seeing them grow in confidence and earn their place in the business,’ he said.
‘Watching them look after customers, take responsibility and become part of the team makes me incredibly proud as a dad.’
However, working with your kids can also have its challenges and Tailor admits that stepping out of Dad mode can be a struggle.
‘You want to support them, but you’ve got to hold them to the same standards as everyone else. Having your surname can’t be a shortcut,’ he said.
‘You spend years trying to get your kids off their phones, then put them in car sales and spend all day telling them to get back on the phone!’
‘There’s also no such thing as leaving work at work anymore. A family dinner can quickly turn into a sales meeting – but I wouldn’t swap it!’
You can’t sack your spouse!
Not every family business involves parents and children. At EV Experts, Estelle Miller works alongside her husband Martin, bringing a different set of advantages – and complications.
For Miller, one of the simplest pleasures is also one of the most revealing.
‘The best thing is that the coffee is just the way I like it,’ she joked.
More importantly, working with someone who knows you well can make difficult days easier to manage.
‘If you are having a bad day or time, there’s support and understanding without having to explain yourself,’ she added.
So what’s the biggest downside? Estelle was typically forthright when asked by Car Dealer.
‘You can’t sack them!’ she joked. ‘And you know all their chat before you sit down for supper!’