Best Side Hustles for Mechanics

Mechanics can earn a great wage by simply going the traditional route and working for someone else in a garage. But if you're hungry for a side hustle, either something you can do for a few hours at home, or more seriously as a second job, you have a lot of options to boost your income. 

With your skills as a mechanic, there are many obvious side hustles to start. But, I have also included a couple of recommendations that will allow you to try something new, and in one case even to work from home. For those looking for a change as well, money with their side hustle. 

Start a mobile mechanic business 

The best side hustle is undoubtedly starting a mobile mechanic service. Going out on the road to help customers, either in the evenings or on the weekend, can bring in substantial earnings. A ton of mobile mechanics actually started doing it as a side hustle, but found they made so much more than in the shop, they made the switch.

To get started, you will (of course) need a truck and all your equipment, from fluid extraction systems to strut compressors. You will also need to register your business, but for this I recommend using an online service that does all the paperwork for you. 

And most importantly, you will need to advertise your services locally. Here are some free suggestions to get started: 

Paid advertising is all so an option, but even if you only target the local area, costs can run up very quickly. 

Use a task site to work from home 

While the earnings potential is low, I want to include just one suggestion of a side hustle that doesn't rely on your skills as a mechanic. This side hustle will provide the opportunity to try something new, and to do it from the comfort of home. 

Task sites, sometimes called earning sites, are online platforms where you get paid to complete tasks. For instance, you might answer surveys, review products, or test new mobile games.  

You don't earn a lot per task, but each individual task is quick. And once you're ready to cashout, you can simply withdraw the money via PayPal or bank transfer. Average users make $35 daily, while top users can earn up to $5000 a month, making it onto the leaderboard: 

This is a good side hustle for those mechanics who are tired and want to try something non-physical for a little extra cash. If it sounds like the right option for you, I suggest starting with paid gaming (which is a lot more fun than surveys). 

Offer small engine repair services

Here is a suggestion that will let you work at home, if you have a garage or workshop, while making decent money ($50-$80/hour). You might be the answer, for all those folks in your area with broken lawn mowers, generators, chainsaws and more. A hero mechanic! 

For this one, I suggest focusing on local advertising platforms, and targeting your neighbors directly: 

You don’t need a huge investment to get started—just a workspace, a basic set of tools, and a few common parts. I suggest you price low to start, and ask for reviews, then you can gradually increase your rates when you have a customer base. 

Flip cars for profit

Find undervalued cars, fix them up, and resell them for a profit. This is a fantastic side hustles for mechanics, as you already understand what to look for mechanically, giving you a huge edge over the average buyer, and you have the skills to make repairs. 

But don't get in over your head; I suggest starting with cars that need minimal work (cosmetic damage or a dead battery). Look on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and at public auctions. And before you get into any bidding wars, calculate costs and set a hard upper limit for what you're going to spend. 

Also, please make sure to check your state laws. Most allow quite a few flips a year without needing a dealer license, but in New York for instance you will need a license as soon as you're flipping five cars or more per year. 

If you are happy to get a dealer's license, be prepared for a long and complex process. You will need to register your business, get licensed, buy insurance, go through background checks, and whatever other hoops your state want you to jump through. 

Teach others what you know

If you're an experienced mechanic who likes to talk shop, you should seriously consider teaching, which can be as rewarding as it is profitable. And because there are always new people looking to get into the industry, courses usually book up fast. 

You could go the traditional route and offer courses at a local community center, or online through sites like Udemy. In fact, you could even create your own YouTube channel, but you should not expect to turn a profit going that route for at least a few months (if not more).

And before you worry about your presentation skills, remember that all you need to do is explain clearly and share your experience.

If you want to be guided through the process (it's intimidating, I get it), you might be best served working for an established school as an instructor. For these jobs, check traditional job search sites like LinkedIn.