Abby B. In this article, I’ll be sharing 13 ideas on side hustle for auto mechanics, where some are car-related and others may leverage on other skills you have. I’ll also provide recommendations of what you’ll need to start and provide more tailored options for making an extra income as a mechanic.
*This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link!
13 Best Side Hustles For Auto Mechanics
If you’re a car mechanic, chances are you’re already working with branded car-related products on a daily basis. By becoming an influencer on social media such as TikTok and Instagram, you can promote these products and earn from brand sponsorships.
More brands will approach you and readily offer free samples for you to test out – usually with an extra payment for your time. It will take some time to grow your social accounts for brands to start recognizing you but it can be extremely worth it once they do!
Best platforms to start with are TikTok, YouTube shorts and Instagram Reels. I would suggest making videos reviewing cars or car-related products right from the start (even if it’s unpaid) so brands know what to expect when working with you.
2. Start a side mobile car detailing service
As a car mechanic, you’re probably a car enthusiast yourself and love a good-looking car. You can make use of the current shop or premise you have by offering additional mobile car detailing services.
Automotive detailing can make you a lot of money and taps into your current customer market. It is usually priced higher as it caters to middle-tier cars to luxury ones.
You can also charge more if it requires you to travel to a customer’s location – mobile car detailing is an option if you don’t have your own workshop. It takes less overhead costs to start!
Watch this video I’ve included in another article on how a young man started his own solo car detailing business after school and how he plans to expand it further in the future. The profit margins are great!
| What do I need to start? | – Tools for car detailing – Vehicle to offer mobile services |
Having your own YouTube channel that is built around your current profession as a car mechanic is a great way to make passive income. It doesn’t take much to plan and you already have ready content topics to share on.
You just need to be recording yourself teaching others on how to DIY and fix some aspects of their car. It’s even more valuable if you’re focused on a specific car model or brand.
YouTube videos don’t need to be long but should cover the topic thoroughly – in most cases, a five to ten minute video should be enough. Help yourself by reducing decision fatigue and have your recording gears in place within your studio or garage.
Interesting YouTube channels for fixing cars:
| What do I need to start? | – A camera to record – Portable microphone for better sound – A video editing software |
Read: What I spent for my vlogging gear in first 6 months
4. Start a podcast for the car niche
You might be surprised that to become a content creator, you don’t need to be only creating videos. Some creators prefer talking against editing videos and it’s possible with their own podcasts.
It takes less gears and equipment to record a good quality podcast compared to video-recording. It’s suitable if you don’t have a big budget to spare. However, it still takes some social media promotion to get your podcast found by your ideal audience!
You can talk about cars and related topics, or get a guest to join you to share their insights. Alternatively, you can start a podcast in another field you’re personally interested in – it can be anything!
I personally listen to podcast for self development as they’re much easier to listen to and takes less attention.
| What do I need to start? | – Good desk microphone – Set of quality earphones – An audio editing software |
Check out: 70 podcasts in the automotive niche
Not all topics can be covered with a YouTube video or a podcast recording. Sometimes, people still prefer to Google for credible written information to solve their car issues – I’m sure you do too!
If you’re someone that prefers writing as a way to share your knowledge, consider building your own blog from scratch and make money with advertisements or affiliates.
Compared to YouTube videos and podcast episodes, a blog allows you to write in greater depth. It’s the reason why people still Google for answers than just resorting to the first two.
Regardless if you’re more interested in car repairs or car accessories, there are plenty of subtopics you can write about – in extensive length!
Start with this course right here – or check out my free article for step-by-step guide on how to set up a blog.
| What do I need to start? | – A WordPress Website – Domain name & hosting – Passion to write for a specific niche |
Read: Why I invested in a blogging coach before doing anything else
There are multiple ways to make money as a content creator and one of the main ones is through affiliate programs.
Although it’s much easier to earn affiliate income through a YouTube video descriptions or your own blog, it’s also doable for social media e.g. Pinterest and Twitter. Unlike brand deals and sponsorships, you don’t need to be having a huge number of followers to start earning with affiliates.
You’ll just need to be genuine and promote products that you personally use e.g. engine car oils, car accessories or even handy automotive tools.
Some affiliate marketplaces to check out are Amazon Associates, CJ affiliate, Clickbank, Share-a-sale and Rakuten Advertising. Once a person clicks on your affiliate link and make a purchase, you’ll earn a commission – usually a percentage of the sale amount.
| What do I need to start? | – Affiliate products or services you can promote – Social media account with growing followers |
7. Learn photography and sell car stock photos online
Another way to make passive income through your current job as a mechanic is to sell stock photos of cars or car repairs.
If you’re wondering who will be needing these photos, think again. Not all blogs or large websites have relevant images to use within their content. They will resort to paying for quality photos of cars or vehicles from others (like you!).
You will need a good professional camera and relevant photography skills so that will take some time to learn. It may not make much in the beginning but it’s an ideal side hustle to get into if you don’t have enough time and looking for passive sources of income.
You can also become a part-time photographer for car launches or car-related events!
Stock websites you can join to start:
| What do I need to start? | – A good camera – Photo editing skills – Consistency to upload photos frequently |
8. Become a freelance automotive writer for other websites
Don’t want to go through the process of building a blog from scratch but interested in sharing your knowledge through writing? You can become a freelance content writer for automotive blogs instead.
It’s best to write for automotive blogs that are in your main language or English if you’re able to. Since cars are different depending on the country, it’s good that you write for a website that’s targeted to a market you’re familiar with. You are more relevant that way!
Compared to writing for your own blog, you’ll need proven topic expertise and stronger writing skills to be writing for others. This includes language proficiency, SEO content knowledge as well as having your own portfolio of work.
You can start learning with this beginner freelance writing course I took myself. It has everything you need to start pitching to clients from all around the world.
Freelance writers can earn up to $100 per article and even more if they’re specialized in writing for a niche e.g. automotive.
| What do I need to start? | – Writing skills – Good command of English or the language you intend to write for – Promote your freelance writing service |
Check out: How to start freelance writing and make money (the ultimate resource)
9. Resell used spare parts for old cars
Instead of just providing car repair services, consider sourcing spare parts and reselling them. Additional fee applies if they want you to install it or deliver it!
It’s even more valuable if you’re experienced in handling older unique cars as those spare parts are harder to find. You can just buy and sell second hand ones on online marketplaces like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
If you don’t have a big budget to start with, you can sell these items without really owning them in the first place. You’ll need to help others that are ready to purchase to source the parts and take a cut.
It’s best to start small and not make any huge investments until you know what sells!
| What do I need to start? | – Knowledge of spare parts – Ability to source spare parts for cheap – Platform to market and sell |
10. Collect and sell die-cast cars on Etsy or eBay
Maybe you’re looking for something that’s not related to fixing cars, but still taps into your love for automobiles. If you have a passion to purchase and keep collectibles, collecting die-cast cars provides a good return in the long run!
There’s quite a wide range of die-cast cars you can collect, from convenience store ones to rare limited editions. You can still make money with both by selling them on marketplaces like Etsy or eBay.
Online marketplaces and flea markets are two great places to source die-cast collectible cars. If you’re not looking to sell yet, you can even make money by sharing videos of your collection on YouTube!
| What do I need to start? | – Collection of die-cast cars to resell – Expertise on car collections – Platform to sell the cars |
Check out: A grandad with 6,500 die-cast cars worth £150,000 finally selling them!
11. Offer car restoration and modification services
Interested in the idea of buying and reselling used spare parts? You can go further by offering car restoration and modification services. It takes time to learn these but it can be extremely rewarding, you might just switch your profession!
People are willing to pay a lot just to get their car restored or modify them for a different look. It takes longer time to complete a restoration or modification project so you might need an extra hand if you’re doing as a side job.
The great thing is you’re leveraging on basic skills you already have and equipment you’re already using.
| What do I need to start? | – Skills to restore or modify cars – Ability to source spare parts for cheap |
12. Teach others a skill via workshops or paid online courses
If you’re more interested in passing down your knowledge and giving back to the world, you might be delighted to know that you can get paid for teaching others.
Whether it’s setting up a physical workshop for new budding mechanics or creating an online course others can watch online, it’s possible to make a good income!
Don’t know what to teach about? You probably have a set of skills that are important for new car owners or even seasoned ones. You can also choose a different angle within the automotive field – try making a list of knowledge you have that benefits another car lover.
If you’re more focused on a certain area or state, physical workshops work best and helps build better long term relationships. It may benefit you in the future! On the other hand, pre-recorded online courses are great sources of passive income.
The common price points for a single payment short online course are $30, $47 and $67. To be honest, you can price it however you like but it’s entirely dependent on the value your customers are getting from the course.
Some sites you can host online courses on:
| What do I need to start? | – A niched course idea – Well thought out module – Tools to record your lessons e.g. screen record, microphone |
Creating courses is too much work for you? Here’s a list of digital products you can make to sell on easy platforms like Etsy. I’ve made a quick guide on how to make these products too!
Thought of doing something different and want to go into ecommerce? You can start with print on demand as I find it the easiest for beginners. You’ll just need to create designs and sell them on merchandises like t-shirts, phone cases or tote bags!
Unsure what designs to make? You can create designs for the car niche using tools like Canva or Kittl.
Firstly, register a seller account with POD fulfillments like Printify or Printful, then sync your dashboard to an Etsy store or Shopify store to start selling.
Once an order comes in, your chosen fulfillment will handle the printing and shipping of orders to your customers!
It’s a side hustle I highly recommend if you have an eye for good design and want to make money passively. You can also purchase ready designs on creative marketplaces like Envato Elements or Creative Fabrica.
| What do I need to start? | – Basic designing skills – A laptop to work with – An initial niche and product |
Can’t decide what product to design and sell? Check out my product guides before deciding!
- Tote bags for print on demand
- Tumblers for print on demand
- Phone cases for print on demand
- Posters for print on demand
- Leggings for print on demand
- Jewelry for print on demand
- Candles for print on demand
- Doormats for print on demand
- Hoodies for print on demand
- Pet products for print on demand
- Socks for print on demand
- Pajamas for print on demand
- Blankets for print on demand
- Baby clothes for print on demand
- Wrapping paper for print on demand
- Puzzles for print on demand
- Stickers for print on demand
- Athletic wear for print on demand
- Hats for print on demand
- Journals for print on demand
- Greeting cards for print on demand
- Mugs for print on demand
How To Make Money Online As A Mechanic
These are 11 ways to make money online as a mechanic:
- Build a YouTube channel teaching others how to manage basic car repairs
- Share car-related content online with a blog
- Create short-form videos for TikTok or Instagram
- Become an affiliate marketer for automotive-related products or services
- Pre-record your car-related lessons to sell as online courses
- Design merchandise and sell via print on demand
- Sell photos of cars and vehicles on stock photography websites online
- Rent out your space or tools to others when not in use
- Sell digital products on Etsy
- Create books or how-to guides to sell on Amazon KDP
- Start a podcast for automotive topics
Which Side Hustle For Auto Mechanics Should I Choose?
Unsure which side hustle you should go for? Here are the top 6 things to consider when deciding which side hustle is best for you.
- How much time can you commit to it?
- Consider how much time you can set aside for your side hustle for weekdays and weekends
- What type of income are you looking for?
- Do you want to make income actively or passively while you sleep?
- What sparks interest & passion in you?
- Choose a side hustle that aligns to your personal goals and interests as it keeps you motivated
- Are you an extrovert or an introvert?
- Different side hustles requires different level of communication with the outside world, are you comfortable meeting new people every day?
- What is your current partner or friend up to that you can leverage on?
- Doing something with a friend or partner makes things easier and more manageable
- How soon do you need to make extra money?
- Not all side hustles make the same amount of money in the same pace, do you need money today or in a year’s time?
Bottom Line
There are so many side hustles for auto mechanics you can explore. Start by writing down your personal interests, then list down ideas on how they can be monetized.
The best way to get started with side hustles is to TRY. Pick at least one or two things I’ve shared above, give time and you’ll eventually find something that works for you!
In my experience, building passive income streams is the way to no longer trade time for money.
Here are 13 best side hustles for auto mechanics:
- Attract brand deals by becoming a social media influencer
- Start a side mobile car detailing service
- Build a YouTube channel for car-related content
- Start a podcast for the car niche
- Share your knowledge with your own automotive blog
- Promote car-related products and earn as an affiliate
- Learn photography and sell car stock photos online
- Become a freelance automotive writer for other websites
- Resell used spare parts for old cars
- Collect and sell die-cast cars on Etsy or eBay
- Offer car restoration and modification services
- Teach others a skill via workshops or paid online courses
- Design car-related merchandise with print on demand
I’m not one to brag, but blogging has changed my life. I’ve been able to earn an income passively while on a coffee date and traveling with my family. With everything, it takes time to learn and not an overnight success – to speed things up, get yourself a blogging coach before starting.
These are my blogging resources to help you out:
- Step-by-step guide how to start blogging in your free time
- Why you need a blogging coach right from the start
- Worried of exposing yourself? You can blog anonymously
Photo by Pixabay
