Oil Change Opportunities in the UK

Becky Martin, writer

Published at 29/06/2019, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 4 min

Oil Change Opportunities in the UK — Photo © oil-change-opportunities.jpg

According to SMMT, the UK automotive industry is a crucial part of our economy, with it accounting for over £82 billion in turnover. There are approximately 186,000 people employed in the manufacturing sector and a combined total of more than 850,000 in the automotive industry’s wider sectors.

Also, according to RAC, in December last year there were 38.2 million licensed vehicles driving on our roads. Therefore, as long as we use cars for our means of transport, the demand for automotive services will remain. One type of automotive service is oil changing.

Let’s take a look at oil changing in more depth and oil change businesses opportunities.

Oil Changing

Due to the current economic climate, many of the British public are opting to keep their cars for longer, rather than buying a new model. This increases our use of automotive services to keep our vehicles in tip-top shape. Therefore, the oil change industry has huge growth potential.

Oil Change Franchise

If you’re keen to be part of this lucrative industry, you can either choose to create an independent start-up business or buy into a franchise. If you choose the latter, you can look forward to working under an established brand with a proven business model. When customers are looking for an automotive service provider, they want to choose a company they can trust. Therefore, if they recognise a business’ brand name or have seen its van parked outside their neighbour’s house, they are more likely to choose its services.

What type of oil change businesses are there?

Savvy entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the industry could choose to invest in a standard oil change business or go for a mobile oil change franchise. You might want to dedicate your entire offering to oil changes, or you could offer other services like tyre fitting and brake repairs.

Of course, there are pros and cons to both types of business. A van-based business would require lower start-up costs and you would get some free marketing when potential customers see your van. However, if you don’t want to travel around every day, a static franchise would, of course, be a wiser idea.

Oil Change Companies UK

There are many businesses in the UK that are either dedicated to oil changing or that offer it as part of their portfolio of services. Let’s take a look at two of the frontrunners in the industry.

Kwik Fit

Kwik Fit is a UK-based automotive servicing and repair business. Established in 1971, there are now over 600 locations in the UK and Ireland, many of which are open seven days a week.

As part of its Essential Car Servicing, Kwik Fit offers a full oil change service, which includes engine oil drainage, oil refills and oil filter replacement.

The additional checks that Kwik Fit offers are windscreen wipers, car horn, battery, brakes, exterior lights, warning lights and much more.

National Tyres and Autocare

This company is dedicated to helping its customers’ engines last longer and run more efficiently for a competitive price. National uses top of the range engine oils for its oil changes from LukOi, one of the world’s biggest lubricant manufactures.

This automotive servicing brand has over 1,000 oil and filter technicians working tirelessly across the UK to keep our cars in tip-top shape.

International Oil Change Franchise Opportunity

Express Oil

Express Oil Change and Tire Engineers is an American automotive company, with one of its primary offerings being its famous 10-minute oil change. The brand is looking to expand its franchise network in the US through motivated, business-minded entrepreneurs. It isn’t necessary to have prior experience in mechanics, as franchisees will take a managerial role and hire highly skilled technicians.

Franchisees can look forward an exceptional eight-week training programme that covers all aspects of operating the franchise. They will also be assigned a Franchise Support and Training Officer who will oversee the training and be there on the launch day.

Interested applicants need to pay an initial franchise fee of $35,000. The total investment will range between $1,993,000 and $2,811,000.

Similar Opportunities

We currently have lots of automotive service franchises in our books looking for entrepreneurs to get involved in their exciting opportunities. Two of these are Hometyre and Optic-Kleer.

Hometyre

Hometyre is a nationally celebrated mobile tyre service company that has an impressive revenue of around £5 million. Being a keen innovator and highly respected in the industry, the brand has made partnerships with huge global businesses, such as Michelin and Dunlop.

Franchisees will take part in a three-week training programme that covers the business’ technicalities, hands-on training and a summary of what’s been learnt.

If this sounds like your next business venture, you will need to make a minimum investment of £20,000 and a total investment of £40,000.

Optic-Kleer

Optic-Kleer holds the title of the UK’s largest windscreen repair company. The car franchise has been in business since 1991 and has since expanded to the US too. The brand has set up in various supermarkets and DIY hardware stores and provides customers with a trusted windscreen repair service that should help prevent further damage.

Before launch day, franchisees undergo initial training at its head office in Lincolnshire. This is on top of one-to-one mentoring with an experienced technician who will help get your business up and running. It doesn’t stop there though - Optic-Kleer will carry on supporting franchisees with sales, marketing and any problems that occur.

To invest in this market-leading franchise, a minimum investment of £19,950 is required.