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
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 van-based trade supplier that visits garages, body shops and recovery operators with a stock of towing and recovery equipment, taking orders and delivering on the spot or next day.
Your first three steps
- List 30 to 50 garages and recovery firms within an hour's drive and find out what they currently buy and from whom
- Agree trade accounts with one or two wholesalers and buy a small starter stock of fast-moving items
- Visit your first customers with samples and a simple price list, offering a free delivery day each week
Who pays
Independent garages, recovery operators, breakdown contractors and small fleet owners.
How it makes money
You sell at a margin over trade buying prices, with repeat orders from regular customers. You can add value by supplying winch spares, servicing arrangements or bulk deals.
Skills that help
- Product knowledge of recovery kit
- Building trade relationships
- Driving and route planning
- Basic stock and invoice management
Watch out for
- Product safety and working load limits, check that items are marked and suitable for UK use
- Insurance for the van, stock in transit, public liability and product liability
- Cash tied up in stock, start with a small range
- Trade credit risk if you offer invoice terms
- Competition from established trade suppliers and online sellers
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile towing kit 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 a mobile towing kit supply business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on the van, your starting stock and insurance. Cash gets tied up in stock, so starting with a small range is worth considering.
How much can a mobile towing kit supplier earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your round, range and how many garages and recovery operators buy regularly. Plan on at least roughly 20 hours a week.
What rules should I check before supplying towing kit to garages?
Check that items are marked with working load limits and suitable for UK use. Also check insurance for the van, stock in transit, public liability and product liability, and the credit risk if you offer invoice terms.
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