Mobile air compressor repair and servicing
Travel to garages, workshops and building firms to service and repair their air compressors on site.
- £3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
5,811 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 33120 “Repair of machinery”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A van-based service that visits customers to service, diagnose and repair air compressors: changing filters, oil, belts, valves, pressure switches and pumps, and testing that everything runs safely.
Your first three steps
- List the compressor brands and types you can confidently repair, and check local rivals' call-out and hourly rates
- Set up accounts with a few compressor parts suppliers and put together a van stock of common filters, belts, oils and valves
- Visit local garages and workshops with a simple service price list and offer a discounted first service
Who pays
Car garages, joinery and fabrication workshops, builders, farms, small factories and tool hire shops.
How it makes money
A call-out fee or hourly labour rate plus parts at a margin, with fixed-price annual service plans for regular customers.
Skills that help
- Mechanical or engineering background
- Fault finding with electrics and pneumatics
- Reliable customer communication
- Keeping clear job records
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, plus cover for your tools and van; check whether you need professional indemnity too
- Compressors are pressure systems, so check what the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations and written scheme of examination rules mean for your work and your customers
- Qualifications in electrical work or pressure equipment may be expected by some customers; check what applies to the jobs you take on
- Disposing of used oil and old parts properly; check whether you need waste carrier registration
- Large industrial compressors may need manufacturer training or specialist tools
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile air compressor repair and servicing
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: 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 air compressor repair business?
Startup costs are estimates, typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on your van, tools, parts stock and insurance. Larger industrial compressors may need manufacturer training or specialist tools, which could add to your costs.
How much revenue can mobile compressor servicing generate?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on how many customers you service and the size of the compressors you can work on. Hours of around 15 a week or more are a typical starting point.
What rules apply to servicing air compressors in the UK?
Check what the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations and written scheme of examination rules mean for your work and customers. Also check insurance, waste carrier registration for used oil, and any electrical or pressure equipment qualifications customers may expect.
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