Small lorry repair workshop
Rent a unit with big-vehicle access and service and repair lorries for local hauliers.
- £20k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A small workshop set up for heavy vehicles, doing servicing, safety inspections, brake, clutch, suspension and general repairs for lorries and trailers, with a mechanic or two.
Your first three steps
- Search for units with high doors, a hard standing and room to turn a lorry, near main roads or haulage areas
- Cost the lifting gear, tools, diagnostics and insurance, and build a simple cash flow forecast
- Talk to local hauliers about the work they send out and what they would pay, and line up your first regular customers
Who pays
Haulage firms, owner-drivers, small fleets, plant and agricultural operators and recovery companies nearby.
How it makes money
Labour charged by the hour plus a margin on parts, with repeat income from scheduled servicing and fleet maintenance agreements.
Skills that help
- Heavy vehicle mechanical experience
- Running a workshop and booking work
- Pricing jobs and managing parts suppliers
Watch out for
- Check the unit's planning use class allows vehicle repairs, and the lease terms, with the landlord and council
- Garage keeper's, public liability and employer's liability insurance once you hire
- Check environmental rules for waste oil, tyres, batteries and drainage, including any permits or registrations, with the Environment Agency (or your national equivalent) and your council
- Heavy lifting equipment needs regular inspection and safe working procedures, so check what is required
- Large upfront costs and slow-paying fleet customers can strain cash flow, so agree payment terms early
- Offering HGV testing or tachograph work may need separate approval, so check before advertising it
🔒 Full research report for UK
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a lorry repair workshop?
Startup costs are typically around £20,000 to £100,000, depending on the unit, lifting and workshop equipment, and insurance. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own premises and equipment before you commit.
How much can a lorry repair workshop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on staffing, the work you win and your pricing. Slow-paying fleet customers can strain cash flow, so treat these as estimates and agree payment terms early.
What rules should I check before opening a lorry workshop?
Check that the unit's planning use class allows vehicle repairs, and the lease terms. Also check environmental rules for waste oil, tyres, batteries and drainage, insurance, lifting equipment inspection, and whether HGV testing or tachograph work needs separate approval.
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