Automotive business ideas with a startup budget over $20,000
133 ideas
This page lists 134 automotive businesses that typically need more than $20,000 to get going. That money usually goes on tools, equipment, a van or premises, and stock.
Mobile outboard servicing and parts
Service outboards at boat ramps, marinas and driveways, and sell the parts and small engines owners need.
- A$15k-60k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Outboard motor shop and workshop
Run a small shop and workshop selling, servicing and repairing outboards for local boaters and anglers.
- A$50k-250k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile car air con regas and repair
Drive to homes, workplaces and small fleets to regas, leak test and fix car air conditioning.
- A$8k-35k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Car air conditioning workshop
Run a small workshop that diagnoses, repairs and recharges car air con for drivers, fleets and garages.
- A$25k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Window tinting workshop
Run a small dust-controlled bay or unit offering car and fleet tinting by appointment.
- A$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Wheel alignment workshop
Run a small workshop that aligns wheels for local drivers, tradies and small fleets.
- A$40k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Alignment service from a rented workshop bay
Rent a bay in a mechanic or tyre shop and offer alignments to its customers and yours.
- A$15k-50k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Electric scooter shop with servicing
Open a small shopfront selling electric scooters to commuters, with test rides, accessories and basic servicing.
- A$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Online electric scooter dealer, test rides by booking
Sell electric scooters online from a small base, with booked test rides, local delivery and a partner workshop for servicing.
- A$8k-35k
- Part-time
- Online
Trailer parts shop with trade counter
Open a small shop or unit stocking trailer parts, hitches and accessories for locals, farmers and workshops.
- A$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Used car parts yard and counter
Dismantle scrapped cars and sell the parts from a small yard with a trade counter and online listings.
- A$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Exhaust fitting and repair workshop
Run a small workshop fitting and repairing exhausts and mufflers for local car, ute and van owners.
- A$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile exhaust repair van
Drive to homes, worksites and fleets to repair exhaust leaks and replace mufflers without a workshop.
- A$10k-45k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Windscreen repair and replacement workshop
Run a small unit offering chip repairs, replacements and window glass, with mobile callouts.
- A$15k-70k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile brake repair service
Replace brake pads, rotors and fluid at customers' homes or workplaces from a fitted-out van or ute.
- A$15k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Brake repair workshop with fleet work
Run a small workshop focused on brake repairs for local motorists and businesses with work vehicles.
- A$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Vehicle wrap and graphics studio
Run a small workshop offering design, printing and wrapping for business fleets and private cars.
- A$50k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Towing equipment trade counter and delivery
Run a small unit stocking winches, tow bars and recovery gear for local tow operators and garages, with a delivery run.
- A$25k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile car tune-up and basic servicing
Drive to homes and workplaces to change plugs, filters and fluids so customers skip the garage trip.
- A$8k-30k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small workshop for tune-ups and logbook servicing
Rent a small unit with a hoist and offer routine servicing to local drivers at fair prices.
- A$25k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small panel and paint workshop
Run a leased workshop that straightens, fills and paints damaged panels for car owners and insurers.
- A$30k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile bumper and scratch repair
Fix scuffed bumpers, scratches and small dents at the customer's home or workplace from a van or ute.
- A$8k-30k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile motorcycle mechanic
Service and repair bikes at riders' homes and workplaces from a ute or van fitted with tools.
- A$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Motorcycle repair workshop
Rent a small unit with a hoist and service and repair bikes for local riders.
- A$20k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
The ideas suit people with a trade background, or those ready to hire skilled staff. Options range from a mobile motorhome and caravan service or mobile car air con regas and repair, which take the workshop to the customer, to a brake repair workshop with fleet work or a secure car storage yard or shed, which depend on a good site. Before choosing, work out your running costs, check what licences, qualifications, insurance and council approvals apply in your state, and test whether local demand will keep you busy. Then compare how much each idea needs upfront with how quickly it could earn it back.
More ideas
- Wheel shop with fitting bay
- Used motorcycle dealer with a small yard
- Online used bike dealer on consignment
- Small self-service car wash site
- Take over an existing self-service car wash
- Secure car storage yard or shed
- Mobile minor body and scratch repair
- Gearbox and auto transmission repair workshop
- Gearbox rebuilds for local garages
- Used and refurbished golf buggy sales yard
- Mobile golf buggy servicing and resale
- Used jet ski buying and selling
- Jet ski shop with servicing
- Full restoration workshop for classic and damaged cars
- Small used EV yard with servicing
- Mobile truck mechanic
- Small truck repair workshop
- Car repaint workshop with spray booth
- Small salvage and dismantling yard
- Specialist car dismantler selling parts online
- Motorsport shop with a small storefront
- Suspension spring workshop
- Mobile spring and suspension fitter
- Mobile diesel mechanic
- Diesel repair workshop
- Tune-up parts delivery run for local workshops
- Roadworthy and safety inspection centre
- Inspection licence for a small mechanic workshop
- Mobile tyre fitting van
- Car stereo shop and fitting bay
- Mobile windscreen replacement service
- Windscreen and auto glass workshop
- Small used car yard
- Online-led used car and van dealer
- Car alarm supplier with a delivery round
- Used dirt bike and quad reseller
- Powersports shop with servicing workshop
- Diesel engine dealer with a small yard or unit
- Engine rebuilding workshop
- Mobile mechanic
- Small car repair workshop
- Mobile motorhome and caravan service
- Motorhome and RV repair workshop
- Used motorcycle and scooter showroom
- Online used bike dealer, by appointment
- Car window tinting workshop
- Mobile quad bike mechanic for farms
- Quad bike repair workshop
- Online trade supplier of car accessories
- Van-based car accessories trade supplier
- Mobile ute canopy and tonneau cover fitter
- Ute canopy showroom and fitting workshop
- Used motorcycle shop with gear and servicing
- Mobile truck parts supplier to workshops
- Trailer dealership with a small yard
- Mobile tractor and farm machinery repairer
- Tractor and farm machinery workshop
- Used tyre shop with fitting bay
- Mobile used tyre fitter
- Online used car dealer, by appointment
- LPG conversion workshop
- Number plate frames trade supplier with a small unit
- Car seat and interior trim workshop
- Mobile tyre fitting and puncture repair
- Walk-in tyre repair and fitting workshop
- Radiator repair and recore workshop
- Mobile cooling system repair
- Used scooter sales from home
- Scooter shop with sales and servicing
- Small workshop for cars and vans
- Car care and chemicals shop
- Used scooter and moped seller, home-based
- Scooter and moped shop with servicing
- Motorhome inspection and pre-trip check bay
- Small quad bike dealership with servicing workshop
- Roadworthy and safety certificate inspection station
- Driveshaft and CV axle repair workshop
- Driveshaft rebuild and balancing for the trade
- Car battery shop with fitting bay
- Owner-operator breakdown and accident tow truck
- Local vehicle transfers for garages and dealers
- Mobile motorhome and RV repairs
- Scooter and moped repair workshop
- Motorhome detailing bay and restoration shed
- Car security and tracking workshop
- Truck and van accessories shop
- Online truck and van accessories store
- Small car wrecking yard
- Specialist used car parts seller
- Racing parts shop with trackside know-how
- Dent repair for car dealers
- Cash for cars and scrap metal pickup
- Small car dismantling yard
- Mobile auto electrician
- Auto electrical workshop
- Online used truck and van dealer
- Small used truck yard
- Mobile trailer repair service
- Trailer repair workshop
- Caravan and motorhome accessories shop
- Mobile RV parts and supplies van
- Sunroof fitting and repair workshop
- Mobile oil change service
- Quick oil change bay
- Local body parts supplier with delivery van
- Electric motorcycle showroom with servicing
- Appointment-only electric motorcycle dealer
- Race and track car dealership (small yard)
- Local tyre shop with fitting bay
Questions
What licences might I need to start an automotive business in Australia?
It depends on the work and your state or territory. Check whether repair, dealing, refrigerant handling or workshop activity needs a licence or qualification, and confirm with your state regulator and local council before spending money.
Is it better to start mobile or buy a workshop?
Mobile setups usually cost less to start and avoid rent, but you carry the van and tools. Workshops suit heavier work and fleet clients. Compare lease terms, zoning rules, insurance and how many jobs you need each week to cover costs.
How should I plan funding for a business costing over $20,000?
List tools, vehicle, fit-out, stock, insurance, and several months of running costs. Compare buying new with used or leasing equipment. Speak to an accountant about structure and finance options, and keep a buffer for slow early months.