But after he befriended other Pakistanis, he found out that many expatriates, drivers in particular, had taken to buying and selling used cars as a lucrative side business.

“Everything is expensive, everybody needs more money,” he said.

“I was reluctant at first because there is a risk of losing money if the car doesn’t sell for a good price. But my friends were doing very well, making profits of SR70,000 to SR80,000 riyals, and that’s why I decided to go ahead,” he told Arab News.

Since Khan was new to the business, he started with one secondhand car, which he said needed some repairs. “Used cars always need repairs, and that’s why people sell them for cheap. What we do is repair the car and also try to give it a brand new exterior, as this helps us to sell it for a good profit.”

Buying and selling used cars is a popular trade because it is considered lucrative, and is popular among both Saudis and expatriates, although according to Khan, it is more popular among the latter.

There are expatriates who work in partnership with their sponsors according to Khan.

“Because the trade is lucrative, many sponsors are interested but worry about losing money, so they work in partnership with the expatriates, some of them their drivers, who they can trust and know have experience in the market.”

Another expatriate who asked not to be named said at first when he started in the business he tried to keep it a secret from his sponsor.

But because his business expanded, going from selling up to three cars to as many as 15, he couldn’t hide his activities from his sponsor because it was taking too much of his time.

“My sponsor didn’t stop me, but asked me if I could buy and sell some cars for him, and that he would pay me for the extra work.

“When a driver is working in partnership with the sponsor, there is more pressure that there should be no losses,” he said.

The business is also highly competitive and some people in the business play dirty according to Khan.

“Some people will not repair the car properly so that they can make maximum profit and spend very little money. They will only give the car a clean exterior while the engine remains in bad condition,” said Khan.

Khan says it’s not an easy business.

“There are customers who bring mechanics with them to check the engine of the car, but afterwards, even though they know the car is in good condition, they offer little money. Sometimes we have to sell the car for very little or zero profit just to keep going,” he said.

“I started with one car, but now I deal up to 25 to 30 cars at any one time. I’ve made so far a profit of around SR100,000 and I sent the money back home to my family.”

Khan says he buys used cars in Jeddah and also goes to Riyadh to buy secondhand cars and sell them in Jeddah.

“Secondhand cars are cheaper to buy in Riyadh. I go monthly to Riyadh, bring back cars with me and sell them here.”

According to Khan, most expatriates hide their side business from the authorities. “Sometimes policemen come to Heraj (where the bulk of the business takes place), and most expatriates there try to hide that they are professionally dealing in used cars.”