What is a mobile mechanic?
Unlike traditional auto shops, mobile mechanics travel to their customers to provide automotive repairs and services at the clients home. This service is attractive to older clients who may not want to travel as much or for young professionals who are to busy to wait for their car at a shop. Another major perk is that mobile mechanics can often perform services at a cheaper price because of having lower overhead costs.
Mobile mechanics are not able to perform every repair that a brick-and-mortar shop can as they have to transport all of their tools and supplies with them. However, they can still provide these common repair services:
- Oil changes
- Diagnostics
- Tire rotations/replacements
- Filter replacements
- Batteries
- Spark plugs
- Alternators
- Brake service and more.
How profitable is a mobile mechanic business?
Mechanics can charge whatever they would like but most repairs fall in the $20 - $125 per hour range. Like any business, you have to consider your startup costs, advertising expenses, number of expected clients, and how much your services are worth before determining if your business will be profitable. Overwhelmed yet? Dont worry, we will explain everything in detail below.
6 Steps to become a mobile mechanic
While you may not need a college degree to be a quality mechanic, you will still have to invest in tools, licensing, marketing and other business needs. We have outlined everything you need to start your business below.
Develop a Business plan
Starting with a quality business plan for your business is the first step in making sure you start off on the right foot. Outlining who your competitors are, setting goals and solidifying your financials may seem outdated but they are the foundations of your business. Here are nine steps to creating your business plan:
- Write an executive summary
- Describe your shop
- State your business goals
- Describe your products and services
- Do your market research
- Outline your marketing and sales plan
- Perform a business financial analysis
- Make financial projections
- Create a plan for growth and expansion
Gather necessary licenses and certifications
Once you have created your business plan, it is time to start working on your business license. Not every state requires you to acquire a license but some do. Do your research for the state you plan to work in and make sure you are legally ready to open your auto repair shop.
The most common certifications include:
- ASE certification: Also known as the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Being one of the largest accreditation organizations, ASE is commonly recognized throughout the auto industry.
- Manufacturer certification: Mechanics may elect to gain additional certifications from specific manufacturers (Honda, Toyota, etc.) to add to their credibility. These certifications are also recommended if you only work on certain types of cars.
- Refrigerant certification: If you plan to work on MVAC (motor vehicle air conditioners), the EPA requires you to obtain certification in proper refrigerant handling according to Section 609 regulations from the Clean Air Act.
Also, don’t forget to register your business and form the appropriate legal entity (partnership, sole proprietorship, limited liability, or corporation). Each entity has pros and cons, so consult with a legal professional to make sure you are ready to file taxes with the IRS and open your own business.
Set your pricing structure
Your cost per hour or per repair should be reflective of your years of experience, geographical location, types of services performed and competition. Doing some competitor research will help you determine how much clients are willing to pay in your area.
Some mobile mechanics can charge more if they offer premium services or more complicated repairs. If you are new to the area, it may be beneficial to keep your costs low until you have a solid client base. Don’t forget that you can also make money off of part markups.
Lastly, remember to account for inflation, sales tax, parts, and gas for your vehicle. Depending on your payment options, you will also need to account for credit card processing fees. Auto repair can be a seasonal industry (especially in certain states), so make sure to stow away some revenue for slower months.
Insurance coverage
If you are going make an investment in your mobile auto repair business, you need to protect it with the proper insurance coverage. Some of the common insurance plans you should consider include:
- Liability insurance
- Comprehensive coverage
- Fire and theft insurance
- Road risks insurance
Lastly, decide if you will be offering any warranties on your services/parts and how that will impact your bottom line.
Invest in quality equipment
- Tools: A reliable power source, jack, drain pans, safety equipment, scanners, cleaning sprays, diagnostic equipment and gloves are all important to have on hand. Also, don’t forget a proper lighting source.
- Parts: Having commonly needed auto parts in your inventory will save you time rather than waiting for parts to be delivered to you. However, you should also determine how much inventory space you have and how to maximize it.
- Software: A cheat code for mobile mechanics is adding cloud-based auto repair software that can help you keep track of inventory, invoices, billing, inspections, marketing, and more all in one place.
- Vehicle: Reliable transportation is critical for mobile mechanics. Select a vehicle that has enough storage to accommodate large parts and good fuel economy for longer trips. Lastly, don’t forget to bring shelter in case of inclement weather so you can continue to work in the elements.
Marketing and advertising
You can offer the best mobile mechanic service in your state but without a proper marketing strategy, customers may struggle to find you. Here are some common marketing efforts that will help you build a strong customer base.
- Website: A strong website is the glue that holds all of your marketing efforts together by providing a central location to find prices, services, phone number, and more. Make sure your website reflects what makes you better than your competition. SEO (search engine optimization) is another important factor to include in your website to ensure you are visible to those searching online for your services.
- Paid advertising: Strategize where your target audience is located and how you can leverage paid advertisements to attract more customers. Possible opportunities include Google ads, social media ads, local event sponsorship and more.
- Social media: Social media is a great place to highlight customer testimonials and engage with your audience. Experiment with varying content types until you find what resonates with your customers.
- Traditional marketing: Mailers, business cards, flyers, billboards and direct mail can all be impactful marketing tactics for local businesses. Considering adding a QR code pointing users to your website or adding coupons to incentivize customers.
- Referral program: Testimonials go a long way for word-of-mouth marketing. Consider offering a discount on future services for each new customer they refer to your business.
- Email: Email marketing is a great way to retain existing customers by offering incentives or coupons to ensure your car repair business stays top of mind. Another impactful email marketing tactic is to send oil change reminders to existing clients.
Closing Thoughts
Starting a mobile mechanic business can be intimidating but the flexible working hours, independence and profitability make it worthwhile. Being a small business owner is not for everyone, consider starting out as part time and move into full time as your profitability grows. Don’t forget to utilize your network to learn industry trends and new tactics to grow your business.
