Complete guide to setting up a repair or MOT garage

If you like to repair and fix vehicles, there may just be the perfect way for you to turn your hobby into a career. Become your own boss and run your very own business venture by starting up a repair or MOT garage in the UK.

Of course, to run a garage business and become a motor trader, you will need to have an expert level of knowledge. You should aim to learn as much as possible and build your understanding and awareness as much as you can.

With that being said, you are in the right place if you want to start up a business in the motor industry in the near future.

By the time you get to the end of this guide, you should be armed with enough information to start up a garage business of your own and start building towards a successful future, one that grants you will financial wellbeing.

How to start a garage repair business or MOT station

There are many different factors that go into starting your own garage repair business or MOT station. The first step, of course, is to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. This may mean investing in training courses or certifications, or working as an apprentice to gain hands-on experience. You should also make sure that you have the right tools and equipment for the job, including diagnostic testers, mechanic’s stands, and specialized repair kits.

Another important consideration when starting a garage repair business is choosing your location. It’s important to find a spot that gets a lot of foot traffic and where your target customers will feel comfortable bringing their vehicles for maintenance and repairs. You should also make sure that your physical space is up to code so that you can obtain the appropriate licenses and certifications for your business.

Once you have established these basic elements, it’s time to focus on building your customer base through networking events, advertising campaigns, and word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied customers. With hard work and perseverance, you will soon be well on your way to success as a garage repair entrepreneur!

What type of garage can I run? 

Here are the options you have when it comes to the motor trade, if you are looking to open a garage:

Service and repair garages

As the name recommends, this kind of garage services vehicles and makes repairs. You’ll require great mechanical knowledge and the right sort of equipment, including lifting tables, ramps, and so forth.

Body shops

Body shops work in fixing vehicles associated with mishaps or those that have experienced minor harm. You will supplant body parts, re-establish paintwork, hit panels back shape, and make vehicles safe for use on the road. You’ll require expert hardware, including paint spraying booths, stoves, lifting tables, etc.

MOT stations

You should be a certified MOT analyser, or utilise one, to run an MOT station. You should have the important diagnostic tools for a full scope of vehicles, alongside extra gear if you decide to do services and fixes.

Classic car restoration

This work includes re-establishing older vehicles to their previous magnificence. You will cherish reviving old vehicles, making them look and drive as the day they originally left the display area. Exemplary vehicle rebuilding requires obtaining or making parts, a sharp eye for detail, and expert apparatuses.

There isn’t anything to prevent you from completing more than one sort of work (MOTs matched with administration and fix, for instance). The significant thing is to be great at what you decide to do. Assuming you gain a strong standing, new business should begin to stream to your new garage.

What if I have no experience of running a garage? 

If you have been dreaming about opening a garage of your own, but have no idea where to start, and no experience, fear not, there are ways for you to make it a reality regardless. You should start by achieving a Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. What’s more to go one further, follow it up with a Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Technology. These educational achievements show garage owners that you are trusted to complete work.

A great many people begin working in a garage as an apprentice or mobile mechanic. This period permits you to acquire insight and confidence in your work.

Then again, you may be a petrolhead that aches to work with vehicles full-time, however you have up to this point worked in different organisations inconsequential to the engine exchange. Have confidence that you can move any business astuteness to your new garage.

Where should I open my garage? 

Picking the right garage area is crucial. You could have the best garage on the planet, however assuming no one knows where you will be, you will not do any business! In that capacity, you should adjust the interest for your garage administrations against the presence of contenders. Moreover, setting up a MOT station in a town with many others to look over will make life troublesome.

Interesting points to think about when picking the area for your garage include:

• How easy is it for you to get to and from your new place of work?
• Is this area easily accessible to customers?
• What makes your garage unique? For example, could you be the only body shop garage in town, or a specialist in servicing Volkswagen and Audi cars? You need a unique selling point, as all business ventures do
• Will you get passing trade, or are you located off the beaten track?
• Is there sufficient parking, storage space, and a customer waiting area?
• Is there a payment counter, office area, toilets, and a kitchen?
• If you are buying or leasing an existing garage, will they pass their book of customers to you?
• Will tools, equipment, ramps etc. be included in any sale or lease agreement?
• How much will it cost for business rates, electricity, and disposal of waste where your garage is?

You should think about each of these things before setting up your business venture.

Licences needed for your garage

You don’t need a licence to operate a garage. However, you will likely require qualifications or permissions for the following:

• MOT testing – To become a certified MOT tester, you need a Level 2 MOT Testing Award in
• Class 1 and 2 vehicles (group A) or
• Class 4 and 7 vehicles (group B)

You can find information regarding MOT tester qualification courses on the official government website.

Did you know that you need to be a certified tester to issue MOT certificates? Without this qualification, you will need to employ an accredited tester to carry out tests on your behalf. So, if you can do it yourself, you will save a large amount of funds; it will be one less wage to pay.

• Waste disposal includes engine oils, tyres, precious metals in catalytic converters, and old car parts. You should ensure that any contractor used to dispose of waste is legally compliant and abides by environmental rules. Waste carriers should carry a certificate of registration from the Environment Agency.
• Trade licence plates – Should you need to test vehicles on the road or have any sales involvement, you may need trade licence plates. You can apply for these through the UK website.

MOT station setup cost

You should have a few targets in mind in regards to costs before you set up an MOT garage.

For instance, you will need to build enough cash for:

• The rent you will have to pay for your premises
• Paying the wages of staff members
• Vehicle parts that you’ll require
• Business taxes
• To cover accounting costs
• The cost of tools and equipment

Consider how much cash you should take care of your household bills and living comfortably. This should provide you with a smart thought of the amount to charge for your administrations, and the number of clients you want to draw in.

When you know this, you can consistently look at your advancement to check whether you are meeting targets (e.g., creating £5,000 worth of profit every month). You can change your arrangements to acquire more staff, if necessary, diminish use, and so on.

The GOV.UK site offers counsel and connections to field-tested strategy formats.

When you have a marketing strategy and are all set, you can check out utilising staff, getting the right providers ready, and showcasing your business.

Employees 

Ponder what staff you will need to run a garage. You will not have the option to fix vehicles while at the same time booking in clients without setting other people on, for instance. Along these lines, maybe think about a receptionist or office workers. They can likewise work with providers, take payments from clients, and do managerial undertakings.

Other positions you may think about:

• Mechanics
• Apprentices
• MOT testers (as previously mentioned)
• Specialist workers in other areas

Suppliers

Having a range of suppliers is always a good idea because there are many items and parts you will need to maintain vehicles, from tyres to suspension joints, paint to engine oils.

Here are a few places you can source parts from:

• National companies, such as Bosch
• Direct from manufacturers, e.g., Ford
• Local motor factors
• Third-party suppliers through Amazon, eBay etc.
• Other garages
• Business finance providers

If you have experience within the trade, you’ll be able to more easily decide which suppliers you want to buy from and work alongside. This is because you’ll know who offers the best quality parts, and who offers the most value for money.

Ensure that you keep an eye on invoices and pay suppliers on time, so that you can keep your good working relationships intact.

How do I market my garage business?

Getting your garage up and running is one thing, but marketing it is a completely different ball game.

Luckily, it has never been easier to promote your business than it is today. We are living in the digital age where the marketing possibilities are virtually limitless.

• Reach out to existing customers. If you as of now have clients – as a versatile repairman, or then again assuming you are renting a carport, for instance – then, at that point, reach them to tell them about your new garage. Simply ensure you have their consent to do as such!
• Develop a website and set up an email address for all enquiries. You are able to do this for free through providers such as Wix, which helps if your budget is limited. As a minimum, show people where you are, the services you offer, and how they can get in touch.
• Make a Google My Business account. This will check your business and show up in nearby inquiries. Guarantee your Google account here.
• Set up a Facebook Business page. In doing as such, you’ll get your name out to the local area. All that you want to set up a Facebook Business Page for your carport is here.
• Guarantee your free TrustPilot account. It pays to have command over the audits individuals leave for you so you can react to input – fortunate or unfortunate. You don’t need to pay for a record either, guarantee a free Trustpilot business account
• Ask past clients for audits. If you have as of now taken care of business for companions, relatives, or past clients, get them to audit your carport across your Facebook, Google and Trustpilot accounts. Ask individuals you know have gotten great assistance from you.
• Advertise in local magazines. It’s modest and offers a wide course locally you serve.
• Offer incentives to clients to allude business to you. If you offer cash off a customer’s next assistance if they suggest a companion, it could assist you with setting up another client base.

You will always find customers that need your services, so word of mouth is always the best recommendation. Make sure you offer a professional job every time, provide excellent customer service, and you will likely find that business comes to you regularly.

F.A.Q’s

Can any garage do mot?

No, garages that offers MOT testing needs to be approved by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).