How do you start a mobile tire repair business in 2027?

Mobile tire repair is narrower than mobile mechanic work: flats, plugs, swaps, rotations, sometimes roadside replacements. Margin is thin per job, but routes and fleet contracts make it viable.

Startup costs. A used cargo van or service truck is the biggest line item. Add a portable tire changer, balancer, air compressor, torque wrench, jacks, plug kits, valve stems, and a small inventory of common-size tires or partnerships with local distributors. Realistic all-in: mid four figures (bare bones, plugs/swaps only) to mid five figures (full mobile changer/balancer rig). A balancer alone runs four figures.

Permits/licenses/insurance. LLC + state business license. Tire-disposal registration is required in many states (you have to track scrap tire flow). Commercial auto, garage liability, and inland marine for tools. DOT registration if your rig crosses a weight threshold or operates interstate.

Customer acquisition. Roadside dispatch networks (Agero, Allstate Roadside, Urgent.ly) provide volume but pay below market. Fleet accounts (delivery, landscaping, contractor) are higher margin. GBP, Yelp, and 24/7 phone answering matter. Tire dealer overflow contracts.

Revenue model. Per-call service fee + parts markup + after-hours premium. Fleet contracts on flat per-tire rates.

Year-1 outlook. Profitable in dense suburbs with many fleets; tougher in rural areas. Winter potholes = boom; summer = slower.