Mobile Mechanic Route ROI 2025/26
Estimate route efficiency, daily revenue and annual profit for a mobile mechanic operation in the UK. Enter your service area, average jobs per day, labour rate, parts margin and vehicle running costs to model your break-even point and target income.
Key Inputs
- Average jobs per day
- Average job duration (hours)
- Labour rate charged to customer (£/hour)
- Parts uplift margin on retail parts (%)
- Daily travel distance (miles)
- Vehicle running cost (HMRC approved rate 45p/mile or actual fuel + depreciation)
- Annual fixed costs (insurance, tools, MOT/servicing of own van, accountant)
What You'll Get
- Daily gross revenue (labour + parts)
- Daily net profit after running costs
- Annual profit at target working days
- Break-even jobs per week
- Effective hourly rate
Important Notes — 2025/26 Rates & Caveats
The HMRC approved mileage rate for the first 10,000 business miles is 45p/mile (25p/mile above 10,000 miles) for 2025/26. Mobile mechanics typically charge £60–£90/hour for labour in the UK, vs £80–£120+ at a fixed garage. Parts uplift of 20–40% on trade prices is standard. Key fixed costs include motor trade insurance (£1,500–£3,000/year for a van with road risks cover), public liability insurance, and HMRC-registered tools. Most mobile mechanics target 4–6 jobs per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hourly rate do mobile mechanics charge in the UK?
Mobile mechanics in the UK typically charge £60–£90 per hour for labour in 2025. This is lower than franchised dealer rates (£120–£180/hour) but competitive with independent garages. Rates vary significantly by region — London and the South East typically command £80–£100/hour, while rates in Northern England, Scotland and Wales are often £55–£75/hour. Specialist skills (diagnostics, air conditioning, ADAS calibration) command premium rates.
Do mobile mechanics need a VAT number?
Mobile mechanics must register for VAT once turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period. Below this threshold, registration is optional. VAT registration affects your pricing: a £75/hour labour rate becomes £90/hour inclusive of 20% VAT to the customer. Parts are also standard-rated for VAT purposes. Many sole trader mobile mechanics operate profitably below the threshold to avoid the administrative burden and competitive price impact.
What insurance does a mobile mechanic need?
Essential insurances for a mobile mechanic include: motor trade road risks insurance (to drive customer vehicles legally), public liability insurance (minimum £1 million, typically £2–5 million), employers liability (if employing anyone), and tools and equipment cover. A combined motor trade policy for a sole trader mobile mechanic typically costs £1,500–£3,000/year depending on claims history, value of tools and geographic area.
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