Mobile Tyre Fitting Business: 8 Smart Steps to a Strong Start

Starting a mobile tyre fitting business costs far less than opening a tyre shop, but it still needs the right van, kit, training and paperwork. So this guide walks through each step in order, from your first tools to your first paid call-outs. It also flags the rules that often catch new fitters out, such as waste tyres and insurance.

Choose the kind of mobile tyre fitting business you want

Before you buy anything, decide which jobs you want to do. That choice shapes your van, your kit, your hours and even your prices.

• Emergency call-outs: flats, blowouts and damaged tyres, often at night or at the roadside. The work pays well, but you need to answer the phone at odd hours.
• Booked fitting at home or work: drivers order tyres in advance, then you fit them on the drive or in the office car park. This work is calmer and easier to plan.
• Fleet and trade work: vans, taxis, car dealers and garages that need regular tyre changes. It brings steady volume, although payment terms can be longer.

Many fitters start with booked work and evening emergency cover, then add fleet accounts later. Also think about vehicle types early. Cars and small vans share most of the same kit, while larger commercial tyres need heavier equipment and different training.

What it costs to start a mobile tyre fitting business

The Garage Equipment Association (GEA) says you can set up a basic mobile tyre fitting business from as little as £10,000. That figure assumes a second-hand van that already has its equipment, trading as a sole trader with basic insurance. A new van with new kit costs far more, so get several quotes before you commit.

Your main costs fall into five groups:

• The van itself, whether you buy it outright, use finance or lease it.
• Fitting kit, such as a tyre changer, balancer, compressor and power supply.
• Insurance for the van, your public liability and any staff.
• Opening tyre stock, although many fitters order tyres per job from a wholesaler instead.
• Marketing, such as a website, van signs and a small budget for Google Ads.

Keep a cash buffer too, because the first few months are often quiet while drivers learn your name. The GEA also suggests using a qualified accountant, so you stay on the right side of tax and VAT. For website budgets, our guide to how much a website costs in the UK breaks down typical prices.

The van and kit a mobile tyre fitting business needs

Your van is your workshop, so plan the layout before you buy. The GEA guide lists the core kit below, and each item has a clear job.

A tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) tool earns its place quickly. In fact, a TPMS that is not working is a major MOT defect on most cars first used from 1 January 2012, so drivers often call about warning lights. Also plan racking, so tyres and tools stay secure while you drive. Finally, add clear signs with your name, number and website, since every parked job works as a free advert.

Training and licences for mobile tyre fitters

No single law says a tyre fitter must hold a licence. However, good training protects you, your customers and your insurance. It also helps when fleet managers ask how you work.

The National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) runs a Tyre Technician Professional Development Scheme. It includes a Licensed Mobile Tyre Technician licence, which covers health and safety, wheel types, steering geometry, TPMS, inspection and the construction and use rules. The scheme also has a puncture repair licence based on the British Standard BS AU 159, as well as a licence for electric vehicle tyre work.

Roadside work carries extra risk, so also look at the NTDA’s REACT scheme for working safely at the roadside. Then keep your certificates handy, because you can show them on your website and in quotes for trade customers.

Legal checklist for a mobile tyre fitting business

The rules are not hard, but they are easy to miss when you are busy. Here is the short version, with links to the official pages in the sources.

• Tax: GOV.UK says you must register for Self Assessment as a sole trader if you earn more than £1,000 in a tax year. Also keep records from your first day of trading.
• VAT: register once your taxable turnover for the last 12 months goes over £90,000.
• Waste tyres: the waste duty of care code says a tradesperson who works on a property is responsible for the waste they produce, including transport and disposal. So register as a waste carrier and only use a registered tyre collector.
• Transfer notes: keep waste transfer notes for at least two years for non-hazardous waste.
• Employers’ liability: as soon as you employ someone, you need cover of at least £5 million, with a few family exceptions. Fines can reach £2,500 for every day without proper cover.
• Tyre labels: when customers cannot see the tyre before buying, give its fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise ratings during the sale, then on or with the bill.

Waste carrier registration in England is free if you only carry waste you produce yourself. However, check your tier on GOV.UK, because carrying other people’s waste costs more and needs renewing every three years.

Tyre supply and pricing your call-outs

Many mobile fitters buy tyres from wholesalers that deliver the same or next day. Some also hold a small stock of common sizes, so they can take emergency jobs at once. Either way, know your cost price before you quote, because fuel and travel time eat thin margins quickly.

A clear price usually has three parts:

• The tyre, priced by brand and size.
• Fitting, which often includes a new valve, balancing and disposal of the old tyre.
• A call-out charge for emergency or out-of-hours jobs, if you use one.

Explain these parts on your website in plain words, even if you only show “from” prices. Drivers in a hurry want a rough figure before they ring. In fact, a short line such as “send us a photo of the tyre sidewall for an exact price” saves both of you time.

How a mobile tyre fitting business shows up online

Many emergency jobs start with a phone search, often at the side of the road. So your online set-up matters as much as your van.

• Google Business Profile: set it up as a service-area business. Google says you can add up to 20 service areas, while the overall area should stay within about two hours’ drive of your base. Our Google Business Profile guide shows each setting.
• A fast mobile website: Google uses the mobile version of a site for indexing and ranking. So pages must load quickly and show a call button at the top. Our mobile tyre website checklist covers every feature.
• WhatsApp: many drivers would rather send a photo of the tyre than read out the size.
• Reviews: ask every happy customer, because Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help local ranking.

Also hide your home address on Google if customers never visit you. Google’s guidelines say service-area businesses should do this, and it keeps your family’s address private.

Winning repeat work for your mobile tyre fitting business

Emergency jobs pay well, but repeat work keeps the van busy on quiet days. So once your first customers are happy, look for steady accounts nearby:

• Local fleets, such as delivery vans, minicab firms and trades with vans.
• Car dealers and used car sellers who need tyres before a sale.
• Garages and MOT centres that do not fit tyres themselves.

Keep a short record of each job: tyre size, car, date and mileage. Then send a friendly reminder when the next set is likely due, which costs nothing and often wins the work. Many drivers need wheel repairs too, so read our guide on starting an alloy wheel repair business if you want to add that service later.

Mobile tyre fitting business FAQs

How much does it cost to start a mobile tyre fitting business?

The GEA says a basic set-up can start from about £10,000 with a second-hand, ready-equipped van. New vans and new kit cost much more, so price your own plan before you commit.

Do I need a licence to be a mobile tyre fitter?

There is no specific tyre fitter licence in law. However, you still need waste carrier registration for old tyres, and training such as the NTDA mobile licence reassures customers.

Can I run the business from home?

Yes, many fitters do. Set up your Google Business Profile as a service-area business and hide your address, since customers never visit you.

What tread depth is legal for car tyres?

The MOT manual says the main grooves must be at least 1.6mm deep across the central three-quarters of the tread, all the way round. It is worth adding to your website, because drivers search for it.

Sources

• Garage Equipment Association, Mobile tyre fitting business setup guide
• NTDA, Tyre Technician Professional Development Scheme
• GOV.UK, Set up as a sole trader
• GOV.UK, Register for VAT
• Google Business Profile Help, Manage your service areas
• GOV.UK, Register or renew as a waste carrier, broker or dealer (England)
• GOV.UK, Waste duty of care: code of practice
• Google Business Profile Help, Tips to improve your local ranking on Google
• GOV.UK, Employers’ liability insurance
• GOV.UK, Supply or distribute vehicle tyres: labelling rules
• Google Search Central, Mobile-first indexing best practices
• GOV.UK, MOT inspection manual: axles, wheels, tyres and suspension