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.

Swipe through these ideas →

5k to 20kOver 20kOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
Set of silver car hub caps and wheel trims displayed on shelves in a parts store.

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
Second-hand car parts stored on shelves in a parts warehouse.

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
Car sales advisor shaking hands with a customer beside a vehicle.

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
Used cars lined up at a port terminal ready for overseas shipping.

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
Secure lockup garages with a classic car stored inside.

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
Several jet skis displayed for sale at a waterside dealership on a sunny day.

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
Restorer working on a classic car body in a workshop.

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
Written-off damaged cars parked in rows at an outdoor salvage yard.

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
Stripped vehicles and car parts stacked in a dismantling yard for recycling.

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.