7 Profitable Business Ideas For Car Enthusiasts In 2022

If you were to make a list of businesses that started purely out of a hobby, you’d need several pieces of paper to write on. People have been creating businesses out of their passions for a long time. From electronics to sportswear—you can pretty much monetize any idea nowadays.

For those of you whose passion is motorsport-related, you might be asking yourself:

What business could I possibly start from being a petrolhead?

Well, below is a list of profitable business ideas for car enthusiasts that could inspire you.

1 – Sell Extended Warranties

Most classic cars have outgrown their manufacturer warranties. This means maintenance and repair costs are no longer covered by the manufacturer. Any work you have done on your car will—from now on—be paid for out of pocket.

As a car enthusiast, you know better than anyone else how important used car warranties are—especially for people who own luxury/classic cars. You would be the best person to teach other petrol heads about the significance of having a used car warranty.

To become an extended warranty dealer, you’ll need to apply to a provider that you trust and know. Most popular extended warranty providers have career pages on their websites. You can use this resource to find a position in your preferred company.

2 – Start An Auto Body Shop

Auto accidents are always happening. According to surveys, around 6 million passenger crashes occur every year in the U.S. So, it’s safe to assume that an auto body shop would be an incredibly lucrative business—especially if you’re based in a city where accidents are high.

While all that’s true, operating an auto body business can be difficult, especially if you don’t have the experience. You can choose to undergo training for a few months in preparation for opening your own business. If that’s not something you’re up for, however, you can always hire people who are qualified for the job.

Create a business plan for your auto body shop. Once you have that down to a pat, you can start looking for funding from lenders or investors. You should also start hunting for the perfect location for your auto body shop - somewhere that’s accessible and has lots of parking.

3 – Start A Valet Service 

Did you know that the demand for car valeting and manual car washing services have skyrocketed in recent years? If you play your cards right, you could start quite a profitable business.

Car enthusiasts are the best people to provide valet and cleaning services. They know exactly how to handle vehicles to ensure that nothing wrong befalls a customer’s precious possession.  

Valet services generally cover interior and exterior cleaning on vehicles, including windows, wheels, tires, boots, carpets, and seats—among other things. Some valet services include paintwork and polishing services, along with engine and underbody cleaning.  

4 – Auto Shipping Business

Classic and luxury vehicles require special shipping and handling. This protects them from damages and accidents that could happen with improper transportation. Besides transporting vehicles, you can also expand to transporting raw materials, car parts, and machinery. That way,  you won’t have to stay on standby whenever clients are using your services.

Starting an auto shipping business will require you to undergo training. You will also need to pass certain examinations and earn a license to operate in your city. Once that’s done, you will also need to apply for certain shipping permits to conduct deliveries within your city or cross-country.  

5 – Create Vehicle-Related Content Online

It’s easy to monetize online content nowadays, especially given how fast people consume them. You can start a blog or a YouTube channel about car-related subjects. Talk about your favorite engine models, tire types, or even your preferred car color. Create articles or videos on topics that appeal to your audiences.

The great thing about becoming a content creator is that you don’t need a lot to get started. All you need is a working computer and an internet connection and you’re pretty much set to start.

6 – Become A Private Driving Instructor

While working as a private driving instructor isn’t unheard of, it’s not something that a lot of people choose to do. Mostly, it’s because the demand for private instructors isn’t as high as some would like. Yet, with the right business plan and a solid strategy, you can make a good living working as a private instructor.

To become a private instructor, you’ll need to get an instructor’s permit from your city/state DMV. You’ll also need to comply with several other requirements, which may vary depending on which state you’re from.

7 – Open A Used Car Dealership

If you have some experience in sales, opening a used car dealership might be a great idea. Your business savvy paired with your car knowledge can turn you into quite a convincing salesman. You can start small, with a couple of cars then expand your business however you want later.

Author Bio

Cedric Jackson

Cedric’s writing draws on his rich life experiences, time spent traveling and years working with the written word. He is passionate about internet marketing, automotive, travel and the entertainment world. When not busy writing, he spends his time traveling, reading and keeping up with world events.