Is a Mobile Oil Change Business Profitable?

Everyone needs oil changes, some do it themselves, many go to quick lubes, and a handful goes to their dealership.

Not many of us are happy to spend our time waiting in line at the "quick lube" or garage to then have to pay for service! One common complaint is that service costs too much.

Of course we do not consider that their expenses are fairly high, they pay for their building, insurance, supplies, equipment, utilities and employees.

A Mobile Oil Change operator has extremely less in expenses. That means you can charge the same as your "non mobile" competition and still keep more of what you earn. Most of your expense in the start-up stage, buying equipment (much less than a shop needs to be sure!) and the purchase of your van or trailer.

Your smaller expenses will be your business license, insurance (again much less than a shop) and office supplies.

True you will need inventory but most oil distributing companies will put you on a 30 day billing so you will be earning income before those bills need to be paid.

As far as employees, many of us start as home based and run the business by ourselves so that is another big expense you can avoid.

Also true is that you are paying for gasoline to get to those customers but the goal is to find accounts where you can service at least 6+ vehicles at that one location. So actually when you drive to a site to provide oil changes to several vehicles - the customer is actually paying for your gas!

All in all, if started and run correctly a Mobile Oil Change business can indeed be profitable.

Melinda Johnson co-owner with husband Eric of Melrics Mobile Lube Started their Mobile Oil Change Business in Oct.1999 and found no resources out there to help them with their questions. After finding out on their own by trial and error they started helping others via email. They also have their own copy-written version of "How To Start A Mobile Oil Change Business" manual. To read more about this business please visit their site at http://www.melrics.com