Automotive business ideas you can start for up to $20,000
48 ideas
These 48 automotive ideas suit people who know vehicles, or know how to serve the people who work on them, and want to start without a garage lease or a large loan. Some are hands-on, like mobile car scratch and bumper repair or a mobile RV and motorhome inspector.
Online trailer parts and accessories shop
Sell trailer parts and hitches across Canada through your own website, shipped from a garage or from your supplier.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online wheel and winter wheel package seller
Sell alloy and steel wheels online to drivers and garages, shipped from your supplier or a small home stock.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Seasonal car storage in your barn or yard
Rent spare barn, shed or fenced yard space to owners who store cars over winter or while away.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Online used car parts seller
Pull, test and sell second-hand car parts online from a home garage or small storage space.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile car tune-up service
Drive to customers' driveways to do spark plugs, filters and fluid changes on routine servicing.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Online electric scooter dealer with demo rides
Sell electric scooters online from home, with demo rides and local delivery, and no shop rent.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Van and fleet graphics installer
Fit printed logos and lettering on tradespeople's vans and small business fleets at their premises.
- C$1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile car detailing service
Drive to homes, workplaces and small fleets to deep clean car interiors and exteriors.
- C$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile car scratch and bumper repair
Fix scuffs, scratches and bumper damage at customers' homes and workplaces from a van.
- C$4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Part-time car parts dismantler
Strip a few cars at a time from a rented bay or rural lot and sell the parts online and to local garages.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Classic car restoration from your garage
Restore classic cars and bikes for local enthusiasts, one project at a time, from a garage you already have.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
US vehicle import broker
Source vehicles from the US for Canadian buyers and handle the import steps for a fee.
- C$2k-10k
- Part-time
- From home
Mobile windshield chip repair
Fix stone chips and small cracks in windshields at customers' homes and workplaces.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Windshield repair for dealers and fleets
Repair chips on dealer lots and company vehicles on a regular schedule.
- C$2.5k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Buy-to-order used vehicle exporter
Find used vehicles in Canada for overseas buyers who have already agreed to buy, then arrange the shipping.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile car window tinting
Fit tint and heat-reducing film on cars at customers' homes or workplaces, with a van and a small kit.
- C$3k-9k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile bumper and panel repair
Fix scuffed bumpers, small dents and paint damage at customers' homes or workplaces from a van.
- C$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online towing and recovery equipment shop
Sell tow hooks, winches, straps and chains online to tow operators, garages and off-road drivers across Canada.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online truck parts sourcing business
Find and sell heavy truck parts to small fleets and garages from home, with suppliers shipping direct.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile RV and motorhome detailing
Drive to owners' driveways and storage lots to wash, polish and protect RVs and motorhomes.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile ATV and quad repair service
Drive to farms, cottages and homes to service and fix ATVs on the spot.
- C$5k-20k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Used trailer buy, fix and resell
Buy used utility and cargo trailers, tidy them up and sell them online to local buyers.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online truck accessories store
Sell box covers, lights, racks and other truck and van add-ons online, with orders shipped from suppliers or a small home stock.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Online
Body parts sourcing for local bodyshops
Find bumpers, panels and trim for local bodyshops from distributors, then deliver them. You hold little or no stock.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
About these ideas
Others sell to trade customers, such as windshield repair for dealers and fleets. Others are mostly online, like an online wheel and winter wheel package seller. Before you choose, think about your skills and training, what tools or inventory you need up front, and whether your customers are individuals or businesses. Canada's seasons also matter: winter tires, storage and repair demand can shift through the year. Compare ideas on startup cost, how much work you can do alone, and how quickly you could win your first customer.
More ideas
- Online RV parts and accessories shop
- Mobile car alarm and tracker installer
- Vehicle lease broker for businesses and drivers
- Car seat and trim repair from a home workshop
- Used scooter reseller
- Used scooter and moped sales by appointment
- Mobile car electrical repair
- Mobile paintless dent repair
- Dent repair for dealers and fleets
- Mobile pre-purchase car inspector
- Licence plate frame wholesaler for local shops
- Online race and track-day car broker
- Mobile car audio installer
- Mobile scooter and moped repair
- Online racing and performance parts store
- Online car care products store
- Online tune-up parts shop
- Home-based car alarm trade supplier
- Mobile RV and motorhome inspector
- Used truck broker
- Powersports consignment seller
- Mobile truck cap and cover fitter
- Mobile sunroof repair service
- Online racing parts and gear store
Questions
What should I check before starting an automotive business in Canada?
Check whether your province or municipality requires a licence, certification or registration for the work you plan to do. Also look at insurance, zoning if you work from home, and any rules for handling parts, fluids or waste.
Can I start an automotive business without a shop?
Many ideas here avoid a shop, including mobile repair, mobile installation, inspections and online parts sales. Check whether you need a van, tools, storage space or a supplier agreement, and whether your insurer and local bylaws allow it.
How do I decide between a hands-on and an online automotive idea?
Consider your skills, how much you want to be on the road, and how much stock you can hold. Hands-on work may need training and insurance. Online selling may involve shipping, returns, supplier terms and sales tax. Check each before committing.