Thinking of starting a car repair business? If yes, there is a lot to consider, especially when we are talking about car repairs. Selling new cars and becoming distributors is fairly easy than repairing damaged cars.
This is because car repairs mean changing and repairing car parts. So you need to be knowledgeable about the parts and how each part functions. Only then will you be able to tell what’s wrong with the car.
That being said, embarking on an entrepreneurial force is certainly exciting. But, it is stressful if you are unprepared.
Is Car Repair Business Worth The Investment?
No matter how you came up with the car repair business idea, we can assure you that you never knew this one thing about the car repair business industry – it is an economically friendly business model. No matter how good or bad your nation’s economy is performing, your business will never cease to have customers.
No matter what state you’re in, you will need transport to commute to work, run errands, go shopping, take your kid to school, and do other daily activities. Because cars have become an integral part of American lives, car repair services have been shown to perform well even in downtimes.
If it’s a car repair business, there is never a bad time to enter the business. But, of course, you will need to tighten your belt in the initial years (just like any new business will need).
Today, in this article, we will discuss what you will need to do in the initial years to establish a successful car repair business.
Are you passionate about cars and have always thought about starting your own repair business? There’s always room in the motor industry for car repair businesses due to the constant need for replacements and fixtures that are often required for vehicles.
What Type Of Garage Should I Open?
There are plenty of niches in the motor industry that require experts. Identify what you most enjoy and think about how best you can use your skills to help the public with their vehicles.
Service and repair garages require good mechanical knowledge and the right tools to ensure you can perform the jobs correctly. Body shops specialize in repairing cars that are involved in accidents or have suffered damage. You’ll need to replace body parts and restore paintwork, making the car safe to drive on the road again.
To run an MOT station, you first need to be a qualified MOT tester to operate this type of garage. Again, you must have the relevant tools and diagnostic equipment if you include services and repairs.
Things To Consider Before Starting A Car Repair Business
Consider The Demand
Seek out your local competition and ensure there is enough demand. For example, identifying how many garages are in your area will help to decide whether there’s room for your car repair business.
It’s worth looking at specializing in a certain area of car repair or offering services that are hard to find elsewhere. Find out what services the existing garages offer and try to create your own unique selling point.
Necessary Licenses
You don’t need a specific license to run your own garage. However, you’ll need certain qualifications or permissions to gain credibility and appear trustworthy to your potential customers.
Depending on your work, you’ll need a Class 1 and 2 vehicles (group A) qualification or a Class 4 and 7 vehicles (group B). You’ll also require an MOT tester qualification, which you can find on the gov.uk website.
Think Of Costs
Pull together a business budget before you open your garage. You’ll need to earn enough money to pay for the garage premises, wages for staff, the cost of vehicle parts, and business taxes.
You’ll also need to purchase the relevant tools and equipment, including socket wrenches, power tools, and pliers.
Secure Financing For The Business
You know what your business looks like. You have planned everything and seen the location to start your business. But who is going to pay for it all? Unless you have prepared finance, you will need to be approved for a loan.
This is where you find your business plan to be helpful. You can present your business plan in front of investors and convince them to invest in your business.
Many entrepreneurs also seek our Small Business Administration’s loan to help fulfill their dream of becoming a business owners.
Hire The Right Employees
Running a business is rarely a one-person show. Yes, you can start your business all alone. But, as your business grows, you need the right employees for the right job. This is essentially true for a car repair shop.
You must understand that your reputation can only be as good as its people. That is why finding and hiring the right employees for your business ensures how successful your business will be.
When your customers like your employees and trust them to do good work, they will likely come back in the future. But unfortunately, the same can be said about the negative experience.
Start Marketing & Attracting Customers
Once everything is in place, you are ready to get down with the business. It is time to start marketing and brand awareness. Just like your, there are many car repair businesses that are offering services. Come even before you and already have made their name among the audiences.
The only way you can compete against them is by having a good branding and marketing strategy. To start with your branding and marketing, the first step is to have a website. Your website will become the place where your customers will meet your business online and schedule their car repair services.
Buy An Existing Business
There are many advantages to buying an existing car repair business, so you don’t have to start from scratch. This means the premises and equipment are already in place, you’ll have an established customer base, and you can generate income immediately.
Relationships with suppliers have been established, and staff is ready and waiting for their new boss. However, ensure to do your research and negotiate a fair deal before you buy.
