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
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
6,399 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 45310 “Wholesale trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A home-based trade supply business. You take orders from garages and mobile mechanics by phone, email or a simple web shop. You hold little or no stock and arrange delivery from a wholesaler or remanufacturer, or keep a small shelf of fast-moving units.
Your first three steps
- Open trade accounts with two or three UK alternator and starter wholesalers and compare prices, warranty terms and delivery times
- Set up a simple price list or web shop and a business phone number or email
- Visit or ring local independent garages to offer a trial order and ask what they struggle to get quickly
Who pays
Independent garages, mobile mechanics, MOT and service centres, and small fleet repairers.
How it makes money
You buy at trade price and sell at a margin. Some of your income comes from delivery and urgent same-day orders. Garages often reorder if you are quick and accurate.
Skills that help
- Matching parts to vehicles using catalogues
- Clear phone and email communication
- Basic bookkeeping and stock tracking
Watch out for
- Fitting the wrong part: check the vehicle registration or part number before every order
- Returns, warranty claims and 'core' (old unit) exchange terms, agree these with your wholesaler first
- Product liability and public liability insurance, ask a broker what suits trade parts sales
- Running a business from home may need permission from your landlord or mortgage lender
- If you buy old units for scrap, check whether a scrap metal dealer licence is needed from your council
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: online alternator and starter supplier to garages
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 an alternator supply business?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on whether you hold a small shelf of stock, build a simple web shop and which insurance you choose. Sending parts direct from a wholesaler keeps stock costs low.
How much can an alternator and starter supplier earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £2,500, depending on how many garages and mobile mechanics you supply, the parts you sell and your margins. Estimates suggest a minimum of around 10 hours a week.
What should I check before supplying parts to garages?
Check the vehicle registration or part number before every order to avoid fitting the wrong part. Agree returns, warranty and core exchange terms with your wholesaler, and ask a broker about insurance. Check home-working permission and any scrap metal dealer licence need.
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