Why I Started Safeway Auto: A Boutique Used Car Dealership in Brisbane

I’m Bob Wang, the founder of Safeway Auto, a boutique used car dealership at 4 Ferry Road, West End, Brisbane. People often ask why an engineer ended up selling cars. The short answer is that I’ve always loved cars, and I kept seeing people buy the wrong ones.

I’ve loved cars since I was a kid

I’ve been into cars for as long as I can remember. I studied aerospace engineering for my bachelor’s degree and mechanical engineering for my master’s, and that training shapes how I look at a car: how it was built, how it has been looked after, and what is likely to go wrong next.

For me, cars were never just transport. I enjoy them, and I enjoy finding a good one.

From helping friends to opening a dealership

Before Safeway Auto, I spent a lot of time helping friends, and then friends of friends, buy cars. I would source cars for them, go and inspect them, and tell them honestly which ones to walk away from.

After a while I realised that if I really wanted to help people, I needed my own dealership. That way I could choose every car myself, stock only the good ones, and stand behind them after the sale.

Eight cars in a Bulimba shed

Safeway Auto started in January 2022 in an old shed in Bulimba, with eight cars. It wasn’t glamorous, but every one of those cars was a car I was happy to put my name on.

Today we’re at 4 Ferry Road, West End. The range is still deliberately small, and visits are by appointment so we can give each buyer proper time.

How I choose every car

My test is simple. Before I buy a car for stock, I ask myself: if this were for me, would I choose it? If the answer is no, it doesn’t come to Safeway Auto.

Two things are never negotiable:

• A clear PPSR. No finance owing, no written-off record and no stolen record. Here’s what a PPSR check tells you.
• A full service history. If a car can’t show how it has been looked after, I’d rather keep looking.

You can read more about how we select used cars before they reach the showroom.

We stand behind the cars we sell

Cars are machines, and even good ones can develop problems. If something comes up with a car we’ve sold, particularly anything covered by warranty, we don’t disappear or pass you around. We deal with it. That’s why Safeway Auto exists.

One customer bought a 2014 BMW 320d from us, and it later developed an EGR problem. We spent about $4,000 fixing it properly. We ended up losing a few thousand dollars on that sale, but walking away was never an option.

Finding the right car, not just any car

Sometimes the right car isn’t on our floor yet. One customer wanted a Mercedes-Benz GLC, so we searched Australia-wide. We found a spotless example that ticked every box on their list, about $5,000 under market value.

That kind of search is what our vehicle sourcing service is for.

What this means if you buy from us

• A small range of late-model cars, each chosen by me.
• A clear PPSR and a full service history on every car.
• Straight answers about each car’s history and condition.
• If a warranty issue comes up, we deal with it. We don’t walk away.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Safeway Auto?

Safeway Auto was founded by Bob Wang, a lifelong car enthusiast with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering.

When and where did Safeway Auto start?

Safeway Auto started in January 2022 in Bulimba, Brisbane, with eight cars in an old shed. The dealership is now at 4 Ferry Road, West End QLD 4101.

How does Safeway Auto choose its cars?

Every car must have a clear PPSR and a full service history, and Bob asks one question before buying any car for stock: would I choose this car for myself?

What happens if something goes wrong after I buy?

Contact us. Safeway Auto stands behind the cars it sells, and if a warranty issue comes up we deal with it rather than walking away.

Can Safeway Auto find a specific car for me?

Yes. Through our vehicle sourcing service we can search Australia-wide for the make, model and specification you want.

Come and say hello

If you’re looking for your next car, browse our current range or book a visit to our West End showroom. If you’re selling, see how consignment works. And if you have a question about a car, get in touch. I’m always happy to talk cars.