Mobile diesel engine repair
Drive to trucks, farm and construction equipment to diagnose and fix diesel engines on site.
- $8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
3,525 US businesses with employees in this field, -6.1% in a year
NAICS 811118 “Other automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A service truck or van carrying tools and a diagnostic laptop, so you can troubleshoot and repair diesel engines at the customer's yard, farm, job site or roadside. Typical jobs include fuel system faults, sensor and emissions issues, and routine engine service.
Your first three steps
- Check local mobile mechanic rates and the typical call-out fee, then set your own hourly rate and service area
- Price out a used service truck or van, a core tool set and a diagnostic tool, and get quotes for general liability and garage liability insurance
- Contact small fleets, farms and contractors nearby and offer a first inspection or service at an introductory price
Who pays
Small trucking companies, owner-operators, farmers, contractors, landscapers and local fleets that can't afford downtime.
How it makes money
Hourly labor rate plus a service call fee and a markup on parts. Repeat fleet customers on regular service schedules give steadier income.
Skills that help
- Diesel mechanical know-how
- Using diagnostic software and scan tools
- Clear communication and honest quoting
- Working independently in all weather
Watch out for
- General liability and garage liability or garagekeepers insurance, which are separate from commercial auto cover
- Check your state and city for any business license, repair shop registration or mobile repair rules
- Rules on handling and disposing of used oil, coolant and filters, so check your state environmental agency
- Emissions systems rules (such as tampering with DPF or EGR), which are restricted by federal and some state laws, so check before taking such jobs
- Check whether certifications such as ASE diesel are expected by your target customers
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: mobile diesel engine repair
Researched with live web search for United States: 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 diesel repair business?
Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your service truck or van, tools and diagnostic equipment. These are estimates, so price your own setup before buying.
What insurance and rules apply to mobile diesel repair?
Check that you have general liability and garage liability or garagekeepers insurance, and look at your state and city for business license or mobile repair rules. Also check used oil and coolant disposal, federal and state emissions tampering rules, and whether customers expect ASE diesel certification.
What skills do I need to repair diesel engines on site?
Useful skills include diesel mechanical know-how, using diagnostic software and scan tools, clear communication, honest quoting, and working independently in all weather. The estimate is at least about 20 hours a week.
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