Just go for it mate. Walked away from a 50k a year office job for life in London a few years ago, rented a unit on a farm and never looked back. With the trade insurance, there are large differences between different companies. Definitely, any mention of breaking/dismantling/scrap will any policy rocketing upwards. Keep it simple car trader/mechanic. Put limits on liability and mileage. Are you really going to work on £60k cars? Agricultural property is a good way to start out until you get established. Cheaper overheads. If you don't have refuse removal or drainage, the council will have a hard time finding a reason for you to pay rates.
Taxation is simple. Keep records of everything and do your annual self-assessment. Things are simple if it's just you working there. If you don't let anyone enter your unit, that takes away health and safety rubbish. Environment agency don't really bother much with what is going on on farms. Either way, re-use anti-freeze in old bangers you may fix up and these days you get paid for waste oil. And that's all you need to say if you get asked.
Other than that, get yourself a car transport trailer and a sprinter/transit size van.
When you're self employed, there is a saying that becomes you watchword: never put all your eggs in one basket. With a car transport trailer, you'll get requests to pick up a broken down car and fix it. The van will allow you to make use of quick one-minute opportunities. One day had a call from a main dealer nearby. Liquidators were coming along later that day. A frantic hour later £1k lighter in the pocket, I had several van loads of brand new genuine parts, amongst which 6 brand new factory crated engines.
Which brings me to another point. DO NOT BE AN ARROGANT IDIOT.
Once you are in the trade, you'll see everyone talking to anyone. Word spreads quickly. And you will reap the rewards from being nice and kind to people a million times over. Did a dealer a favour once when he was in trouble and since then got untold amount of cars for £50, even a few free ones.
Keep your eyes and ears to the ground, network with others in the trade, always have cash in your pocket, treat your customers as you would like to be treated and you'll be just fine.
For trade insurance, talk to Steve Boardman 01204 887100. Dealt with him for many years and no-one comes close. Currently full trade cover incl 7.5 ton, recovery, exotic and sports cars, demo cover etc. all in under £1k, but then I am twice your age with about 15 years NCB.
As I said in the beginning, just go for it. You've got nothing to lose.
Good Luck!
Just ask if you want more advice/info
Taxation is simple. Keep records of everything and do your annual self-assessment. Things are simple if it's just you working there. If you don't let anyone enter your unit, that takes away health and safety rubbish. Environment agency don't really bother much with what is going on on farms. Either way, re-use anti-freeze in old bangers you may fix up and these days you get paid for waste oil. And that's all you need to say if you get asked.
Other than that, get yourself a car transport trailer and a sprinter/transit size van.
When you're self employed, there is a saying that becomes you watchword: never put all your eggs in one basket. With a car transport trailer, you'll get requests to pick up a broken down car and fix it. The van will allow you to make use of quick one-minute opportunities. One day had a call from a main dealer nearby. Liquidators were coming along later that day. A frantic hour later £1k lighter in the pocket, I had several van loads of brand new genuine parts, amongst which 6 brand new factory crated engines.
Which brings me to another point. DO NOT BE AN ARROGANT IDIOT.
Once you are in the trade, you'll see everyone talking to anyone. Word spreads quickly. And you will reap the rewards from being nice and kind to people a million times over. Did a dealer a favour once when he was in trouble and since then got untold amount of cars for £50, even a few free ones.
Keep your eyes and ears to the ground, network with others in the trade, always have cash in your pocket, treat your customers as you would like to be treated and you'll be just fine.
For trade insurance, talk to Steve Boardman 01204 887100. Dealt with him for many years and no-one comes close. Currently full trade cover incl 7.5 ton, recovery, exotic and sports cars, demo cover etc. all in under £1k, but then I am twice your age with about 15 years NCB.
As I said in the beginning, just go for it. You've got nothing to lose.
Good Luck!
Just ask if you want more advice/info
