Automotive business ideas you can start in the US

187 ideas

These 189 automotive business ideas cover repair, towing, parts, inspection and resale. Some suit people with trade skills, like a mobile brake repair service or an automotive locksmith for car keys and lockouts.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
Technician repairing a chip in a windscreen with resin.

Windshield repair for fleets and dealerships

Repair chips on a regular schedule for car lots, rental companies and delivery fleets that have many vehicles.

  • $1.5k-6k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
7,201 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.4% in a year
Restorer working on a classic car body in a workshop.

Classic car restoration from your garage

Restore classic cars one project at a time for local enthusiasts, working from your own garage or a small rented bay.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
35,029 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.1% in a year

Full-service restoration shop

Rent a small shop and take on full classic car restorations, from rust repair to finished paint, for serious enthusiasts.

  • $20k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
35,029 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.1% in a year
Technician applying tint film to a car side window with a squeegee.

Mobile car window tinting

Fit tint film to cars at customers' homes and workplaces from a van or trailer.

  • $1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
5,368 US businesses with employees in this field, +5.4% in a year

Window tinting shop

Run a small tint bay where customers book in for car, fleet and dealer window film.

  • $8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,368 US businesses with employees in this field, +5.4% in a year
Tow hook and winch mounted on the back of a recovery truck.

Online towing and recovery equipment store

Sell winches, tow hooks, chains and straps online to tow operators and garages.

  • $1.5k-7.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
12,266 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.9% in a year

Mobile towing equipment supplier

Drive a stocked van to tow yards and garages and sell gear on the spot.

  • $6k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
12,266 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.9% in a year
Trailer hitches, couplings and accessories displayed on shop shelves.

Online trailer parts and hitch store

Sell trailer parts, hitches and accessories online to owners and repair shops, shipped from a spare room or garage.

  • $1k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
38,567 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.5% in a year

Trailer parts and hitch shop

Open a small shop stocking trailer parts, hitches and accessories for local owners, haulers and workshops.

  • $25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
38,567 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.5% in a year
Car sales advisor shaking hands with a customer beside a vehicle.

Car buying service for busy shoppers

Find, negotiate and line up a new or used car for clients who don't have time to shop, for a flat fee.

  • $600-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
34,595 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.4% in a year

Specialty and enthusiast vehicle sourcing broker

Track down hard-to-find classic, truck or enthusiast vehicles for buyers and earn a fee on each match.

  • $1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
34,595 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.4% in a year
Secure lockup garages with a classic car stored inside.

Indoor storage for classic and collector cars

Lease a small warehouse or unit and rent secure indoor bays to owners of classic, sports and seasonal cars.

  • $10k-50k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
18,564 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.5% in a year
Locksmith fitting a new lock on a residential front door.

Automotive locksmith (car keys and lockouts)

Unlock cars and cut or program replacement keys and fobs at the customer's location.

  • $4k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
3,961 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.8% in a year
Mechanic replacing spark plugs in a car engine.

Mobile car tune-up service

Drive to customers' homes and workplaces to change spark plugs, filters and fluids.

  • $2.5k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,525 US businesses with employees in this field, -6.1% in a year

Tune-up and maintenance bay

Rent a small garage bay and focus on quick, fairly priced routine tune-ups.

  • $10k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,525 US businesses with employees in this field, -6.1% in a year
Mechanic repairing a motorcycle engine in a small workshop.

Mobile motorcycle mechanic

Service and repair bikes in riders' driveways and garages from a van or trailer.

  • $5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
5,368 US businesses with employees in this field, +5.4% in a year

Small motorcycle repair shop

Rent a small workshop and service and repair bikes for local riders.

  • $20k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,368 US businesses with employees in this field, +5.4% in a year
Technician spray painting a car panel in a paint booth.

Mobile car paint touch-up and scuff repair

Fix scratches, scuffs and bumper damage at customers' homes or workplaces with a van-based kit.

  • $3k-12k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
35,029 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.1% in a year

Small car paint and panel repaint shop

Rent a small unit with a spray booth and repaint panels and full cars for owners, dealers and fleets.

  • $25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
35,029 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.1% in a year
Several jet skis displayed for sale at a waterside dealership on a sunny day.

Used jet ski reseller

Buy, tidy up and resell pre-owned jet skis from home to local leisure riders.

  • $5k-25k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
4,246 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.7% in a year

Small jet ski dealership and service shop

Run a small lot or unit selling used and consignment jet skis, with repairs and winter storage.

  • $40k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
4,246 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.7% in a year
Mechanic recharging a vehicle air conditioning system with gauges in a garage.

Mobile car A/C repair and recharge

Drive to homes, offices and small fleets to diagnose, fix and recharge vehicle A/C systems.

  • $8k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
3,525 US businesses with employees in this field, -6.1% in a year

Car A/C specialist shop

Rent a small bay or unit and focus on A/C repairs for drivers, fleets and other garages.

  • $20k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,525 US businesses with employees in this field, -6.1% in a year
Driver washing a car with a high pressure wand in an open wash bay.

Small self-service car wash (buy an existing site)

Buy and run a small wash with a few bays where drivers pay by time to clean their own vehicles.

  • $150k-400k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
19,807 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year

About these ideas

Others lean on buying and selling knowledge, like an online used car reseller. If you would rather skip a big workshop lease, a mobile model keeps overhead low. Before you choose, think about the tools, vehicle and insurance you would need, and whether your state or city requires licenses, dealer registration or certifications for the work. Also check zoning if you plan to work from home. Start with the skills you already have, then compare startup costs and how steady the local demand looks.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a license to start an automotive business in the US?

It depends on the work and your state. Towing, used car sales, emissions testing and locksmith work can each have their own rules. Check with your state licensing agency, your city or county office, and your insurer before taking customers.

Is a mobile automotive service cheaper to start than a shop?

Often it can be, since you avoid a lease and large equipment. You still need a reliable vehicle, tools, insurance and possibly permits. Compare those costs against a shop's rent and build-out, and check local rules on working at customer locations.

What insurance should I look into for an automotive business?

Ask an insurance agent about general liability, commercial auto, garage liability or garagekeepers coverage, and workers' compensation if you hire. Needs vary by service, especially towing or working on customers' cars, so confirm what your state and clients may require.