Automotive business ideas you can start from home
20 ideas
If you like cars, bikes and everything that goes with them, you don't need a workshop on a main road to earn from it. These 20 ideas are run from a home office, garage, shed or yard.
Local hub cap and wheel trim trade supplier
Keep popular hub caps and wheel trims in your garage and supply local garages and body shops fast.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online used car parts seller
Sell tested second-hand parts for a few popular models through online marketplaces, posted or picked up.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Sell-my-car broker
Photograph, list and sell cars for private owners who want a good price without the hassle.
- A$1.5k-7.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Buy-to-order used vehicle exporter
Find used utes, 4WDs and vans for overseas buyers, then arrange shipping from home.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Car storage in your spare shed or yard
Rent out a spare garage, shed or fenced yard to people who need a safe place for a car.
- A$500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Used jet ski buying and selling
Buy quality second-hand jet skis, tidy them up and sell them to local riders online.
- A$10k-50k
- Side hustle
- From home
Part-time classic car restorer from your garage
Take on smaller restoration jobs like mechanical refreshes, trim and panel repairs for local classic car owners.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Salvage parts seller from your shed
Buy a few damaged cars, pull the good parts and sell them online to repairers and DIY owners.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Specialist car dismantler selling parts online
Buy a few end-of-life cars of one make, pull the good parts and sell them online from a shed or rural block.
- A$6k-30k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based car alarm trade supplier
Stock car alarms and immobilisers at home and post them to garages and auto electricians.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Used dirt bike and quad reseller
Buy, tidy up and resell pre-owned dirt bikes, quads and side-by-sides to local riders.
- A$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- From home
Classic engine rebuilds from a home garage
Rebuild engines for classic and hobby cars on weekends, using outside machine shops for the heavy machining.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online trade supplier of car accessories
Stock mats, covers and lights at home and sell in bulk to garages and small shops online.
- A$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online used car dealer, by appointment
Sell a small, carefully chosen stock of used cars through online listings and private inspections, with no big yard.
- A$25k-80k
- Part-time
- From home
Number plate frames, home-based wholesale
Source number plate frames and sell them in bulk to accessory shops, garages and online sellers, working from home.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home garage car trim repairs
Fix split seats, sagging headlinings and worn trims from your garage, one job at a time.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Used scooter sales from home
Buy, tidy up and resell quality used scooters online to commuters, students and learners.
- A$10k-40k
- Side hustle
- From home
Used truck broker working from home
Match used trucks with owner-drivers and small fleets, with little or no stock held.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Used scooter and moped seller, home-based
Buy, tidy up and resell used mopeds and small scooters to local riders, mostly through online listings.
- A$8k-30k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online race and track car broker
Sell used race and track-day cars online for owners and teams, earning a commission or margin per sale.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
About these ideas
Some are mostly online, such as a sell-my-car broker or an online used car parts seller. Others are hands-on, like home garage car trim repairs or a part-time classic car restorer working from your garage. They suit people with a bit of mechanical knowledge, a good eye for value, or strong organisation and negotiation skills. Before you pick one, think about space, noise, storage and your neighbours, then check what your local council and state or territory rules say about running a motor-related business from your property. Also look into licensing, insurance and how you would handle stock safely.
Questions
Do I need a licence to run an automotive business from home in Australia?
It depends on what you do. Selling vehicles, dismantling or repairing may need a dealer, motor trader or similar licence in your state or territory. Check with your state regulator and council before you buy stock or advertise.
Can I run a car-related business from my garage or shed?
Possibly, but check your council's zoning and home business rules first. Noise, customer visits, vehicle storage, fluids and waste disposal are common concerns. Your lease or strata rules and insurance policy may also have limits worth confirming.
Which home-based automotive ideas need the least equipment?
Online and appointment-based ideas, such as a sell-my-car broker or selling parts and accessories online, usually need less equipment than repair or restoration work. Still check insurance, consumer law obligations, and how you will source, store and ship stock.