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
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A fitted-out van or ute with a portable welder, hand tools, jacks and stands and common parts. You fix leaks, broken hangers, flexi joints and muffler swaps at the customer's location. Bigger jobs get referred to a workshop.
Your first three steps
- Get experience or training in exhaust fitting and welding if you don't already have it
- Price a reliable van or ute, a portable welder, jacks, stands and a starter stock of parts
- Contact local trade businesses and fleets and offer on-site repairs, and list yourself on local business directories
Who pays
Tradies and small businesses with work vans, fleet managers, busy drivers, and mechanics who don't do exhaust work.
How it makes money
A call-out fee or labour charge plus parts per job. Repeat fleet contracts help keep you busy between one-off jobs.
Skills that help
- Welding and exhaust repair
- Working safely under vehicles
- Travel planning and quoting
Watch out for
- Check whether your state or territory requires a motor vehicle repairer licence, and whether mobile work is covered
- Public liability insurance that covers work away from a workshop, plus insurance for your van and tools
- Safe lifting and working under vehicles on uneven ground, and fire risks from welding near fuel
- Council or property-owner rules on doing repairs on streets or at customers' homes
- Limits of what can be fixed without a hoist, so know when to refer a job
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: mobile exhaust repair van
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 exhaust repair business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $10,000 to $45,000, depending on the van or ute you use, your portable welder and tools, parts stock and insurance. Treat this as an estimate and price your own fit-out before committing.
How much can a mobile exhaust repairer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $18,000, depending on your area, how many jobs you complete each week, and whether you win regular fleet or trade customers. This is revenue before costs. Expect at least about 20 hours a week.
What rules should I check before doing mobile exhaust repairs?
Check whether your state or territory requires a motor vehicle repairer licence and whether mobile work is covered. Check that public liability insurance covers work away from a workshop, and council or property-owner rules on repairs at customers' sites.
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