Mobile farm machinery engineer
Drive to farms to service and repair tractors and machinery where they break down.
- £5k-25k
- 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 travels to farms and contractors to service, diagnose and repair tractors, trailers and other farm machinery on site, including breakdown call-outs.
Your first three steps
- Check your qualifications and experience, and look at local trade or manufacturer training if you have gaps
- Price a van, tools and diagnostic kit, and set an hourly rate by checking what local engineers charge
- Introduce yourself to farms, contractors and machinery dealers nearby and offer to cover their overflow work
Who pays
Farmers, farm contractors, smallholders, equestrian yards and estates in your area.
How it makes money
Hourly labour rate plus a call-out charge and a mark-up on parts. Annual servicing contracts and repeat customers give steadier work.
Skills that help
- Mechanical or hydraulic repair experience
- Fault diagnosis
- Dealing with farmers and working to tight seasonal deadlines
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, plus tools and van cover. Check what you need for working on customers' machinery
- Safe working with heavy machinery, hydraulics and PTO shafts; get proper training and equipment
- Rules for disposing of waste oil, filters and tyres, and whether you need waste carrier registration
- Seasonal demand, with busy harvest and planting periods and quieter spells in between
- Warranty and dealer restrictions on newer machines, which may limit the work you can do
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: mobile farm machinery engineer
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 tractor repair business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on your van, tools and diagnostic equipment. Insurance for your tools, van and work on customers' machinery is also worth budgeting for.
How much can a mobile farm machinery engineer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on your area, customers and the season. Demand is seasonal, with busy harvest and planting periods and quieter spells in between.
What rules and risks should I check before repairing farm machinery?
Check public liability insurance plus tools and van cover, and get proper training for working safely with heavy machinery, hydraulics and PTO shafts. Also check waste oil, filter and tyre disposal rules, including waste carrier registration, and dealer warranty limits on newer machines.
Other ways to run this business
Similar car and vehicle ideas
Car radiator repair and recore workshop
Repair, test and recore car radiators for local garages and drivers from a small workshop unit.
- £5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile gearbox diagnosis and fluid service
Visit drivers and garages to diagnose gearbox faults and service automatics, with bigger rebuilds passed on or sub-contracted.
- £6k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile wheel alignment for vans and fleets
Take portable alignment kit to company yards and check wheel angles on small fleets, so vehicles stay off the ramp at a garage.
- £6k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Used horse trailer and horsebox sales
Buy, prepare and sell used horse trailers and small horseboxes from a rented yard or unit.
- £5k-25k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile diesel engine repair
Diagnose and fix diesel engines at the roadside, yard or farm using a fully equipped van.
- £5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Windscreen repair and replacement
Offer chip repairs plus full windscreen and window replacement, in a van or from a small unit.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Own premises