Mobile diesel engine repair business
Diagnose and fix diesel engines at farms, job sites and truck yards using a service van.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A service van fitted with tools and diagnostic equipment, so you can repair diesel engines on site for pickups, trucks and equipment that are costly or hard to move.
Your first three steps
- Check which trade certification or experience you need in your province, such as heavy duty equipment technician or truck and transport mechanic
- Price out a used van, core tool set and a diagnostic scanner, then get quotes for commercial insurance
- Visit local farms, small fleets and contractors to introduce yourself and offer a first call-out at a fair rate
Who pays
Farmers, small trucking owner-operators, contractors, landscapers and equipment operators who lose money when machines sit idle.
How it makes money
Hourly labour rate plus a mark-up on parts, with call-out fees for travel and higher rates for emergency or after-hours calls.
Skills that help
- Diesel mechanical know-how
- Using diagnostic scan tools
- Troubleshooting under pressure
- Clear quotes and customer communication
Watch out for
- Trade certification rules vary by province, check whether repair work is a compulsory trade where you live
- Commercial general liability and garage or care-and-control cover, check what your insurer requires
- Rules for disposing of used oil, coolant and filters, check provincial environmental requirements
- Emissions system work, as tampering with diesel emissions equipment may be restricted, check federal and provincial rules
- Winter work outdoors in cold weather and heavy lifting
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: mobile diesel engine repair
Researched with live web search for Canada: 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 diesel repair business in Canada?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the van, tools and diagnostic equipment you buy. It is worth keeping a cash buffer while you build up regular farm, contractor and trucking customers.
What rules should I check before starting mobile diesel repair?
Check whether repair work is a compulsory trade in your province, what commercial general liability and garage or care-and-control cover your insurer requires, provincial rules for disposing of used oil, coolant and filters, and federal and provincial rules on emissions system work.
How much revenue can a mobile diesel repair business make?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many jobs you take on and the type of work. The estimate assumes at least about 20 hours a week, and winter outdoor work and heavy lifting are worth planning for.
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