Scooter and moped shop with servicing

Students, commuters, city and cottage-town riders, and people wanting a cheap runabout. Local businesses and campgrounds sometimes buy for short trips.

Margin on each sale, plus income from servicing and repairs, accessories and gear, and sometimes financing or extended warranty commissions.

• Selling and customer service
• Basic mechanical knowledge, or a good mechanic on the team
• Managing stock and cash flow through a seasonal market

• Motor vehicle dealer licensing or registration is usually required, check with your provincial regulator
• Rules for mopeds, scooters and limited-speed motorcycles differ by province, including what licence riders need and what you must disclose
• Imported models must meet Canadian safety and import requirements, check with Transport Canada before buying stock
• Strong winter slowdown in most regions, plan cash flow and off-season income like servicing and storage
• Commercial general liability, garage and property insurance, and workers' compensation (WCB/WSIB) once you hire
• Quebec has its own consumer protection and French-language requirements

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on premises, stock, tools and fit-out. Plan cash flow carefully, as most regions have a strong winter slowdown.

Things to check: motor vehicle dealer licensing or registration with your provincial regulator, provincial rules for mopeds and scooters, Transport Canada requirements for imported models, insurance, and Quebec consumer protection and French-language requirements.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on stock, sales volume and servicing work. Plan off-season income such as servicing and storage to cover the winter slowdown.