Margin VAT and stock book
Spectra works out margin-scheme VAT on used stock, keeps the statutory stock book on the Stock ID, and sends VAT returns to HMRC once you connect your account.
Vehicle Stock Book
| Stock ID | Date In | Vehicle Details | VAT | Cost | Date Out | Sale Price | VAT Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STK-1047 | 14/09/26 | Coachman Acadia | Margin | £15,750 | 30/10/26 | £19,995 | £707.50 |
Profit Analysis · Stock ID STK-1047
£2,865.50
Gross Profit · 2019 Coachman Acadia 545
Margin14.3%
Treatment TypeMargin Scheme
VAT Estimate
Step 1: Buy the vehicle
The purchase is recorded against a Stock ID, which is also the vehicle’s stock-book reference.
Step 2: Sell under the margin scheme
VAT is worked out on the margin, and shows against the vehicle beside its profit.
Step 3: The stock book follows
The statutory stock book is kept on the same Stock ID, with no second register.
Step 4: File the return
Submit through Making Tax Digital once HMRC is connected, or export for Sage 50.
For used stock sold under the margin scheme, Spectra works out the VAT due on the margin and shows it on the vehicle with its profit.
The statutory stock book is keyed on your configurable Stock ID, the same reference shown wherever the vehicle appears.
Prepare VAT returns from the ledger and submit them through Making Tax Digital once you connect your HMRC account. A Sage 50 VAT export is there too.
Aged Balances
Receivables (Who owes us)
Finance Dashboard
Revenue vs ExpensesComparing income and outgoings over the last 6 months
ExpensesRevenue
Period: October 2026
The quote and the ledger carry what selling caravans and motorhomes brings with it.
Added to the quote as a no-VAT disbursement.
The DVLA fee is a no-VAT disbursement too.
Accrues against the stock it funds.
Where Spectra AI helps
From Professional, Document Import reads a purchase invoice. You check what it read, and nothing is recorded until you approve.
Free tool
The free margin VAT calculator shows the margin and the VAT due on a single used vehicle sale.
Yes. Margin-scheme VAT and a statutory stock book are built in. Tax treatment for your business is your accountant’s call, and the demo covers how the settings work.
Yes, through Making Tax Digital, once you connect your HMRC account.
A per-dealer reference you configure. It shows wherever the vehicle appears and is also its reference in the margin-scheme stock book.
Yes. There is a Sage 50 VAT export, and the ledger also syncs with Xero, Sage or QuickBooks once you connect your account.
Yes. The stock book exports to Excel.
Book a demo and we will take one vehicle from purchase to stock book to VAT return with you.
Spectra. The DMS for leisure dealers.