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
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
Small-scale body repair done on site: filling, sanding and spot painting scuffs, scratches, minor dents and cracked bumper corners without taking the car to a workshop.
Your first three steps
- Do a smart repair or automotive refinishing course if you lack experience, and practise on spare panels
- Check with your state or territory fair trading or motor vehicles regulator whether you need a repairer licence or registration before you start trading
- Fit out a van or ute with tools, a portable compressor and paint supplies
Who pays
Car owners, used car dealers, rental and fleet companies, and real estate or leasing firms that need cars presentable.
How it makes money
A fixed price per repair, often by panel or by job size, with regular trade work from dealers and fleets adding steady volume.
Skills that help
- Panel preparation, filling and spot painting
- Colour matching
- Friendly, reliable customer service
Watch out for
- Motor vehicle repairer licensing or registration rules differ by state and territory, and may apply to mobile work, so confirm with your state regulator before trading
- Check council and EPA rules on spraying paint outdoors and disposing of waste
- Weather limits outdoor painting, so plan for wet days and wind
- Public liability insurance, and cover for vehicles in your care
- Working on a customer's driveway may need permission from owners or building managers
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: mobile bumper 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 scratch and bumper repair business?
Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on your vehicle, tools and materials. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many jobs you take on.
Do I need a licence for mobile car scratch and bumper repairs?
Motor vehicle repairer licensing or registration rules differ by state and territory and may apply to mobile work, so confirm with your regulator. Also check council and EPA rules on spraying and waste, driveway permission, and insurance.
What skills and hours does mobile smart repair need?
Useful skills include panel preparation, filling and spot painting, colour matching, and friendly, reliable customer service. Estimates suggest at least around 15 hours a week, depending on demand and weather, since outdoor painting is limited on wet or windy days.
Other ways to run this business
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 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
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