Automotive Business Ideas You Can Start in the UK

189 ideas

This page lists 190 automotive business ideas, from low-cost mobile services to workshop and forecourt models. If you want to start small, a mobile car valeting round or a mobile scooter and moped mechanic needs mainly tools, a van and local customers.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
Used cars lined up at a port terminal ready for overseas shipping.

Used car exporter, part-time

Buy a few used cars at UK auctions and sell them to overseas buyers you find online.

  • £6k-30k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
35,866 UK companies in this field, 36% registered in the last 2 years
Used cars lined up at a port terminal ready for overseas shipping.

Vehicle export business with a small yard

Buy, prepare and ship used vehicles in volume from a rented yard to regular overseas dealers.

  • £20k-80k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
35,866 UK companies in this field, 36% registered in the last 2 years
Car rear bumper with a chrome number plate frame fitted by a garage.

Local number plate frame trade supplier

Buy frames in bulk from UK wholesalers and supply local garages, accessory shops and small online sellers.

  • £500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
6,399 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
Car rear bumper with a chrome number plate frame fitted by a garage.

Own-brand number plate frame importer

Source frames direct from manufacturers and sell your own range to resellers through a trade website and marketplaces.

  • £4k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Online
6,399 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
Technician applying printed vinyl graphics to the side of a van.

Mobile vehicle wrap fitter

Fit colour-change and printed vinyl wraps to cars and vans, working from a rented unit or at the customer's site.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
16,319 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
Technician applying printed vinyl graphics to the side of a van.

Vehicle wrapping workshop

Run a rented unit where you wrap cars and vans in colour film and printed graphics, with room to take on staff.

  • £8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
16,319 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
Written-off damaged cars parked in rows at an outdoor salvage yard.

Buy, repair and resell salvage vehicles

Buy damaged cars from salvage auctions, fix them and sell them on to trade or private buyers.

  • £10k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
221 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
Set of silver car hub caps and wheel trims displayed on shelves in a parts store.

Online wheel trim and hub cap shop

Sell wheel trims and centre caps online to drivers and small garages, run from a spare room.

  • £1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
6,399 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
Set of silver car hub caps and wheel trims displayed on shelves in a parts store.

Local trade supplier of hub caps and trims

Stock wheel trims and caps and deliver them to garages, body shops and parts shops in your area.

  • £3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
6,399 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
Mechanic repairing a motorcycle engine in a small workshop.

Mobile motorcycle mechanic

Service and repair bikes at riders' homes and workplaces from a van with your own tools.

  • £4k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
3,631 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Mechanic repairing a motorcycle engine in a small workshop.

Motorcycle workshop in a small unit

Rent a small unit and service, repair and MOT-prepare bikes for riders in your area.

  • £8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,631 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Row of used electric cars parked on a dealership forecourt with a salesperson nearby.

Home-based used electric car dealer

Buy a few good used electric cars at a time and sell them online to private buyers from home.

  • £20k-60k
  • Part-time
  • From home
35,866 UK companies in this field, 36% registered in the last 2 years
Row of used electric cars parked on a dealership forecourt with a salesperson nearby.

Used electric car forecourt with servicing

Run a small forecourt selling used electric cars, with basic servicing and charger advice for customers.

  • £70k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
35,866 UK companies in this field, 36% registered in the last 2 years
Staff showing an electric scooter to a customer in a bright dealership showroom.

Electric scooter showroom with servicing

Sell road-legal electric scooters and mopeds from a small unit, with accessories and basic servicing.

  • £12k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,631 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Staff showing an electric scooter to a customer in a bright dealership showroom.

Mobile electric scooter dealer

Sell electric scooters online and by demo ride, delivering and setting them up for customers without a showroom.

  • £3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,631 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Stripped vehicles and car parts stacked in a dismantling yard for recycling.

Small car breaker's yard

Buy end-of-life cars, strip them for parts and sell parts to garages, trade buyers and the public, with the scrap going to a recycler.

  • £25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
221 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
New motorcycles lined up on the floor of a dealership showroom.

Used motorcycle dealer from home

Buy, prepare and sell a few quality used bikes at a time, using online adverts and a small private space.

  • £3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
3,631 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Tow hook and winch mounted on the back of a recovery truck.

Online towing equipment shop

Sell tow hooks, straps, winches and recovery gear online to garages and recovery drivers.

  • £1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
6,399 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
Tow hook and winch mounted on the back of a recovery truck.

Mobile towing kit supplier to garages

Drive a stocked van round garages and recovery firms selling winches, hooks and straps.

  • £4k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
6,399 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
Car sales advisor shaking hands with a customer beside a vehicle.

Car sourcing broker

Find the right used or new car for busy buyers and charge a fixed fee for the search and negotiation.

  • £300-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
20,012 UK companies in this field, 40% registered in the last 2 years
Car sales advisor shaking hands with a customer beside a vehicle.

Sell-your-car-for-you broker

Photograph, advertise and sell people's cars for them, handling the buyers, for a flat fee or commission.

  • £200-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
20,012 UK companies in this field, 40% registered in the last 2 years
White electric golf buggy parked on a green course beside a clubhouse.

Used golf buggy reseller

Buy, refresh and sell used electric golf buggies to private owners, clubs and estates.

  • £5k-20k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
6,514 UK companies in this field, 30% registered in the last 2 years
White electric golf buggy parked on a green course beside a clubhouse.

Mobile golf buggy servicing and repair

Service, repair and fit batteries to golf buggies at clubs and owners' premises from your van.

  • £3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
6,514 UK companies in this field, 30% registered in the last 2 years
Car alternator and starter motor parts displayed on a shelf.

Online alternator and starter supplier to garages

Sell remanufactured alternators and starters to local garages from home, with parts sent direct from a wholesaler.

  • £500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
6,399 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

If you prefer a fixed base, an independent garage in a rented unit or a trade parts delivery service for local garages may fit better. Think first about your skills and any qualifications, how much you can spend on tools, stock or premises, and whether you want to work on the road, from home or from a unit. Also check insurance, waste handling rules and any permissions that apply to your chosen idea before you spend money.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need qualifications to start an automotive business in the UK?

It depends on the idea. Valeting usually needs little formal training, while mechanical repair work often calls for proven skills and experience. Check what customers, insurers and any relevant trade bodies expect before you start, especially for safety-critical work.

What should I check before running a vehicle business from home?

Look at your tenancy or mortgage terms, local planning rules, insurance cover and any neighbour or noise issues. Also check how you will store tools, parts, fluids and waste. Mobile or online models may avoid some of these concerns.

Which insurance and permits might an automotive business need?

Common things to check include public liability, tools and van cover, motor trade insurance and employer's liability if you hire staff. Some activities, such as handling vehicle waste or dismantling vehicles, may need permits or registration, so ask your local council or the relevant regulator.