Mobile oil change van business

Busy households, office workers, small business owners with a few vehicles, and condo or apartment residents who can't work on their own car.

A fixed price per oil change depending on oil type and vehicle, plus add-ons like filter upgrades, wiper blades and tire pressure checks. Repeat bookings every few months and small fleet contracts add steady work.

• Basic car mechanical knowledge
• Working safely and cleanly
• Scheduling and route planning
• Customer service

• Commercial general liability and commercial vehicle insurance, ideally with cover for pollution or spills (ask your broker)
• Rules for storing, transporting and disposing of used oil and filters differ by province, so check with your provincial environment ministry or used oil program
• Check with your provincial regulator whether oil changes fall under a regulated trade, and whether you need a certificate
• Some municipalities restrict vehicle work on streets or in shared car parks, so check by-laws and get property owner permission
• Winter cold, snow and short daylight make outdoor work harder, so plan for a heated space or a seasonal slowdown
• In Quebec, check French-language requirements for signage and customer materials

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the van, tools, oil and filter stock, and a used-oil collection tank. Insurance and local setup costs also vary, so get quotes before you commit.

Things to check: commercial general liability and commercial vehicle insurance, ideally with pollution cover; your province's used oil rules; whether oil changes are a regulated trade needing a certificate; municipal by-laws on street work; and French-language rules in Quebec.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on pricing, how many customers you book and how you plan your routes. The estimate assumes at least about 15 hours a week.