Automotive business ideas with a startup budget over $20,000
127 ideas
These 128 automotive ideas suit people who have meaningful savings, a loan or a business partner and want to build something with real equipment, premises or inventory behind it. Higher budgets open up options such as a sunroof fitting and repair shop, a powersports sales and service shop or a radiator repair and cooling system workshop.
Local trailer parts and hitch shop
Open a small shop selling hitches, lights, axles and accessories to trailer owners and local workshops.
- C$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Exhaust and muffler shop
Fit and repair exhausts, mufflers and pipes for car and truck owners from a small rented bay unit.
- C$40k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile exhaust repair service
Repair exhaust leaks, broken hangers and damaged pipes at customers' homes and yards from a equipped van.
- C$15k-45k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Wheel shop with showroom and fitting bay
Open a small unit selling alloy and steel wheels to drivers and garages, with in-store advice and fitting.
- C$30k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Used EV dealership with a small lot and service bay
Run a small lot selling used electric cars, with basic servicing and charging on site.
- C$60k-300k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Wheel alignment shop with your own bay
Set up a small shop with an alignment rack and serve drivers, tire shops and local fleets.
- C$25k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Alignment service from a rented garage bay
Use second-hand alignment gear in a rented bay and take alignment jobs from garages and tire shops.
- C$10k-30k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Used jet ski reseller
Buy, tidy up and resell used jet skis from home or a small yard, mostly for the summer season.
- C$6k-30k
- Side hustle
- From home
Jet ski dealership with service shop
Run a small showroom and workshop selling new and used jet skis, with servicing and winter storage.
- C$60k-250k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Used car parts shop with a small yard
Run a small unit or yard selling tested second-hand parts to local drivers and garages.
- C$25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile motorcycle mechanic
Service and fix motorcycles in riders' driveways and garages with a van full of tools.
- C$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small motorcycle repair workshop
Rent a small unit and repair and service bikes for riders in your area.
- C$20k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Self-service car wash bays
Take over a small existing coin or card-operated wash and keep it clean, running and busy.
- C$100k-400k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile car A/C repair and recharge
Fix and recharge car air conditioning at drivers' homes, workplaces and small fleet yards.
- C$8k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Car A/C specialist workshop
Rent a small garage bay and focus on car and light truck A/C diagnosis, repair and recharge.
- C$20k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Tune-up bay in a rented unit
Rent a small garage bay or unit and focus on quick, affordable routine tune-ups.
- C$10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Electric scooter shop with servicing
Sell and service electric scooters from a small shop for commuters, students and city riders.
- C$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile dent and bumper repair
Fix dents, scuffs and bumper damage at customers' homes and workplaces from a van.
- C$8k-35k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Independent collision repair shop
Run a small body shop repairing collision damage for insurers and private owners.
- C$50k-250k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Colour-change car wrap studio
Rent a small heated bay and wrap cars in colour-change vinyl for private owners and enthusiasts.
- C$8k-30k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Car detailing studio in a rented bay
Run an indoor detailing bay for year-round interior, paint correction and protective coating work.
- C$12k-45k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small car paint and refinishing shop
Rent a small unit with a spray booth and repaint panels, bumpers and whole vehicles.
- C$20k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small car dismantling yard
Buy end-of-life cars, dismantle them and sell parts to garages, with the leftover metal going to a recycler.
- C$25k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small auto salvage yard
Run a small yard that buys damaged vehicles and sells used parts to local repair shops and walk-in customers.
- C$30k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
About these ideas
Others, like mobile brake repair, put the money into a fully equipped van instead of a building. Before choosing, think about where your money would go: tools, lease deposits, stock, insurance and working capital for the first few slow months. Check what training or trade certification the work needs in your province, and whether your municipality's zoning allows the premises you have in mind. Compare how quickly each idea could earn money back.
More ideas
- Car restoration workshop
- Mobile outboard motor service and parts
- Outboard motor shop with service bay
- Used motorcycle dealership
- Online used motorcycle sales and consignment
- Used and refurbished golf cart reseller
- Mobile golf cart service and parts
- Small independent repair garage
- Window tinting shop
- Alternator and starter delivery supplier
- Alternator and starter rebuild workshop
- Mobile brake repair service
- Small brake repair shop
- Local hub cap supplier with stock and delivery
- Small auto body repair shop
- Transmission repair and rebuild shop
- Transmission rebuilds for local garages
- Mobile heavy truck mechanic
- Small truck repair shop
- Local towing equipment trade supplier with a small unit
- Local truck parts counter and delivery
- RV detailing bay with indoor storage
- ATV and quad repair workshop
- Small-lot trailer dealership
- Walk-in tire repair and fitting shop
- Mobile tire repair and swap van
- Propane (LPG) conversion workshop
- Propane conversions from a rented garage bay
- Neighbourhood tire shop with a fitting bay
- Mobile tire fitting van
- RV and motorhome repair workshop
- Mobile mechanic
- Small independent car repair garage
- Truck and van accessories shop with fitting bay
- Radiator repair and recore shop
- Trade radiator repair for local garages
- Body parts supplier with a small trade counter
- Local RV supply store
- Mobile windshield replacement
- Auto glass shop with service bays
- Car battery shop with fitting bay
- Mobile car battery replacement
- Mobile trailer repair service
- Trailer repair workshop
- Car security and tracking install bay
- Used commercial truck and van lot
- Online used work van and truck dealer
- Car upholstery shop for owners and dealers
- Owner-operator tow truck service
- Part-time towing for garages and dispatchers
- Scooter shop with servicing
- Mobile tractor and farm machinery repair
- Tractor repair workshop
- Suspension spring workshop
- Mobile spring and suspension fitter
- Scooter and moped shop with servicing
- Radiator repair and cooling system workshop
- Mobile radiator and cooling system repair
- Engine rebuilding workshop with machining
- Classic and performance engine rebuilds, part-time
- Mobile RV and motorhome repair
- RV repair workshop
- Car electrical specialist workshop
- Mobile oil change van
- Quick oil change garage bay
- Licensed vehicle safety inspection station
- Mobile tire fitting and seasonal swaps
- Small tire fitting shop
- Used race car dealer with a small unit
- Small-lot used car dealership
- Car stereo and audio shop
- Local auto accessories supplier to garages and shops
- Scooter repair shop in a small unit
- Mobile diesel engine repair
- Diesel engine repair workshop
- Used ATV and quad reseller
- Small ATV sales and service shop
- Used motorcycle and service shop
- Racing and performance parts shop
- Car chemicals and detailing supply shop
- Small used car and van lot
- Online used car dealer, by appointment
- Tune-up parts delivery to local garages
- Online-first used motorcycle dealer
- Used motorcycle showroom
- Window tinting studio in a rented bay
- Online used auto parts part-out
- Car alarm trade counter and warehouse
- Electric motorcycle showroom and service shop
- Appointment-only electric motorcycle dealer
- Used powersports dealer (small lot)
- Powersports sales and service shop
- Driveshaft repair and balancing shop
- Mobile driveshaft and axle replacement
- Small auto salvage and dismantling yard
- Mobile scrap car and metal pickup
- Used tyre shop with fitting bay
- Mobile used tyre seller and fitter
- Truck canopy and accessories shop
- Sunroof fitting and repair shop
- Trackside motorsport parts trailer
- Online used diesel engine reseller
- Local diesel engine dealer with a small yard
Questions
Why do some automotive businesses cost more than C$20,000 to start?
Costs usually come from equipment such as lifts and diagnostic tools, a leased workshop or lot, vehicle stock, and a fitted-out van. Insurance and a cash buffer for slow early months can add to the total, so get quotes before committing.
Do I need a licence or certification to start an automotive business in Canada?
It depends on the work and your province. Some trades, repairs or vehicle sales may need certification, registration or a dealer licence. Check with your provincial regulator and your municipality before buying equipment or signing a lease.
Should I choose a mobile service or a workshop?
Compare what each would cost and what you could realistically charge. A mobile service may mean lower rent but a costly vehicle and stock. A workshop may handle more jobs but brings lease, zoning and utility costs. Check local rules for both.