How to start a mobile mechanic business
Service and repair cars at people's homes and workplaces from a well-equipped van.
- £3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A mechanic who travels to customers to do servicing, brakes, batteries, diagnostics and other repairs that don't need a ramp or heavy lifting equipment.
Your first three steps
- List the jobs you can do safely at the roadside or on a driveway and price each one against local garages
- Get a suitable van, a core tool kit and a diagnostic reader, and set up trade accounts with a local parts supplier
- Take out insurance, then offer a few discounted jobs to friends and neighbours and ask for online reviews
Who pays
Busy households, people without a garage, small businesses with a few vans and drivers who have broken down close to home.
How it makes money
Fixed prices for common jobs plus an hourly rate for diagnosis and repairs, with parts supplied at a margin and a call-out charge for longer trips.
Skills that help
- Vehicle diagnosis and repair
- Using diagnostic tools
- Clear, honest customer communication
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance and cover for work on customers' vehicles, plus motor trade or van insurance for your own vehicle
- Check whether you can work on a customer's driveway or on a public road, as local rules and landlord permissions vary
- Safe disposal of oil and old parts may need a waste carrier registration, check with the Environment Agency or your devolved equivalent
- Safety-critical work such as brakes needs proper training and records, as mistakes carry real risk
- Weather and limited tools mean some jobs must be turned away or referred on
🔒 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 mobile mechanic business?
Startup costs are estimates, typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on your van, tools and diagnostic equipment. Some jobs will need to be turned away or referred on because of weather and limited tools.
What rules should I check before working on cars at people's homes?
Check whether you can work on a customer's driveway or a public road, as local rules and landlord permissions vary. Also check insurance, waste carrier registration for oil and old parts with the Environment Agency or your devolved equivalent.
How much can a mobile mechanic earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on how many jobs you take and the type of work. The estimates assume at least around 15 hours a week. Safety-critical work such as brakes needs proper training and records.
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