Mobile minor body and scratch repair
Fix scuffs, dents and bumper damage at customers' homes and workplaces from a fitted-out van or ute.
- A$8k-30k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A mobile service for small collision and parking damage: bumper scuffs, scratches, minor dents and paint touch-ups, done on site with portable gear instead of a full workshop.
Your first three steps
- Check your trade qualifications (such as automotive body repair) and your state's licensing requirements for vehicle repairers
- Price a van or ute fit-out with a compressor, spray gear, extraction and generator, then get quotes for public liability insurance
- Visit local used car yards and rental depots, offer a trial repair at a fair price and collect reviews
Who pays
Private car owners, used car dealers, fleet and rental operators, and sometimes insurers or smash repairers who sub out small jobs.
How it makes money
A fixed price per repair, quoted from photos or a quick look. Dealers and fleets can give regular repeat work.
Skills that help
- Panel and paint repair, ideally a trade qualification or solid experience
- Colour matching and finishing
- Quoting and customer service
Watch out for
- Some states require a motor vehicle repairer licence, check with your state's licensing or fair trading body
- Public liability insurance, plus cover for your tools and vehicle
- Spray painting outdoors is limited by weather, council and EPA rules on overspray and waste, check what applies where you work
- Chemical handling and safety: isocyanate paints need proper respiratory protection
- Insurers usually pay approved repairers, so expect mostly private and trade customers at first
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: mobile minor body and scratch repair
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mobile smart repair business?
Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on your vehicle fit-out, equipment, insurance and any licensing. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes for your own setup.
How much can a mobile body repairer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $16,000, depending on how many jobs you take and your mix of customers. Insurers usually pay approved repairers, so expect mostly private and trade customers at first.
Do I need a licence for mobile car body repairs?
Some states require a motor vehicle repairer licence, so check with your state's licensing or fair trading body. Also check public liability cover, council and EPA rules on overspray and waste, and chemical safety, including respiratory protection for isocyanate paints.
Similar car and vehicle ideas
Mobile spring and suspension fitter
Drive to farms, worksites and driveways to fit springs on utes, trailers and 4WDs without a workshop lease.
- A$8k-30k
- Part-time
- Out and about
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
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
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
Cash for cars and scrap metal pickup
Buy unwanted cars and scrap metal, collect them on a ute or trailer and sell on to licensed recyclers.
- A$6k-30k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile oil change service
Drive to homes and workplaces and change engine oil and filters on the spot.
- A$6k-30k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Photo: MertSabanci on Pixabay