Inspection licence for a small mechanic workshop

Private sellers and buyers of used cars, people re-registering a vehicle, and small dealers who need regular inspections.

A fee per inspection, plus repair work on vehicles that fail and customers who come back for servicing.

• Mechanic qualification and hands-on experience
• Fair, consistent judgement when passing or failing a vehicle
• Basic bookkeeping and customer communication

• Rules, fees and qualifications differ by state or territory, so check with your state's transport authority
• Public liability insurance that covers inspection work, and workers compensation if you employ others
• Pressure from customers to pass a vehicle, since your approval can be lost if standards slip
• Time taken from paid repair work, so work out whether the inspection fee covers it
• Record-keeping and audit requirements

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on approval fees, inspection equipment and any workshop changes you need. Fees and qualifications differ by state or territory.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on how many inspections you do and any repair work that follows. Work out whether the inspection fee covers the time taken from paid repairs.

Rules, fees and qualifications differ by state or territory, so check with your state's transport authority. Also check public liability cover for inspection work, workers compensation if you employ others, and record-keeping and audit requirements.