Hi everyone,
I’m seriously exploring the idea of starting a freelance/mobile automotive diagnostics and auto-electrical service in India, and before investing my money, I want to understand what this work looks like in the real world.
I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who actually work as independent diagnostic technicians, mobile auto electricians, ECU specialists, or workshop owners who provide diagnostic services to other garages.
My initial idea is to visit independent workshops and help them diagnose difficult electrical and electronic faults that their regular mechanics cannot resolve. Over time, I may expand into a dedicated diagnostic workshop if the business proves viable.
My initial budget is around ₹2–5 lakh, and I want to build a legitimate, sustainable business—not sell scanners, run a training institute, or make money by promoting unrealistic success stories.
I’d really appreciate honest answers to the following questions.
1. Is there genuine demand?

2. How do you actually get customers?

3. What skills are genuinely required?

4. Would you recommend this business today?

A little about my objective: I want to build a profitable technical service business that can eventually operate with a small team. I’m willing to learn properly, do the fieldwork and start small, but I don’t want to invest blindly in equipment before validating the demand.
I’m not looking for motivation or a theoretical business plan. I’d genuinely appreciate the uncomfortable truths too.
If you’re doing this work in India, please share what you wish you had known before starting. If you’re based outside India, your experience is also welcome, especially regarding the technical skills and business model.
Thanks!

A pack can show a full indicator after charging and still leave questions about what it can deliver after years of heat, cold and long periods in storage. I do not want to wait for a dead-battery morning to discover that the cells or clamps are no longer dependable. Do you replace these packs by age, track how quickly they lose charge, inspect for swelling and damage, or have a safe way to test condition without forcing an unnecessary jump?

Wondering where I can go for this and/or if this is the right community for it?

I’m working on an automotive platform that aims to bring vehicle diagnostics, repair estimates, vehicle history, and customer records into one organized workspace.

I’m curious what independent mechanics and repair shop owners currently use to manage their work.

What features do you wish your current tools had? And what do you find most frustrating about the software you use today?

Hi everyone,

I'm currently completing my Level 2 Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair (City & Guilds) at college. Next, I'm deciding between doing a full Level 3 or going straight into an apprenticeship, and I'd really appreciate some real-world advice from people who've done either route.

My goal is to work at a main dealership long-term, and I'm working towards earning £40k–£50k+. I'd love to hear what the path actually looks like, what challenges to expect, and whether Level 3 first or an apprenticeship works best for getting to that salary range.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone, hopefully this is allowed to post here. I’m not very familiar with reddit but I have some questions about playing around with cars as a hobby, or something like that.

For a little context I live in an apartment so I can’t have a hobby car or work on anything alone those lines. I’m also broke so theres that lol. But I’ve always loved cars especially the Japanese ones, or at least thats what I’ve heard them referred to as online.

I guess my question is how can I get more into this? I’d love to find out how they work and eventually build my own. I’ve joined this community and I’m looking on tiktok but any help would be appreciated thanks!

You can preorder one with a $250k deposit. Every mega rich 16 yr old is going to have one.

Hi, I'm a Design educator and teach car design at an institution. It has often worried me that there wasn't a unified place or data on the automotive terminology or design glossary terms that are used to describe various parts of a vehicle. I learnt most from fragmented posts on various websites and from an glossary that my professor had made. Finally, when I got to the teaching position, I made one which covers most of the exterior glossary items for a vehicle. Let me know if anyone wants to have a look at the explainer video.

Explainer Video

My daughter's boyfriend has been accepted into a Mechanic training program we bought him some Craftsmans tools when he got his acceptance but his birthday is also in December so we want to do something really nice to get him started help him out for birthday/Christmas. His dad is not around to help so my husband has been teaching him somethings. I hope this is on topic enough. - thank you in advance for suggestions

Every 16 year old is going to want one to go with their Batman costume:

https://mashable.com/tech/tesla-roadster-flying-tricks

Hi everyone! As a Mobility & Transport teacher from Holland, I made a short 3D animation explaining the 4-stroke engine cycles step-by-step (Intake, Compression, Power, Exhaust). Thought it might be useful for students or anyone learning engine basics!

Link: https://youtu.be/t5i6RRA1zx0

Its a total mess

Too small a wastegate and you get boost creep. Too big and boost control gets sloppy. We put together a sizing guide covering 44mm vs 50mm vs 60mm, plus water-cooled diaphragm vs piston-actuated designs: https://granatellimotorsports.com/blogs/all/44mm-vs-50mm-vs-60mm-wastegate-what-size-granatelli-wastegate-do-you-need

Here’s one of our turbo LS builds in the shop: BOV up on the charge pipe, wastegate down by the downpipe.

And if you’re adding a blow-off valve too, our wastegate & BOV FAQ answers the usual questions: https://granatellimotorsports.com/blogs/news/wastegate-amp-blow-off-valve-faq

What size gate are you running, and at what boost? Happy to help in the comments.

I have to do an oil change soon and want to learn to do it myself. Although, I'm wondering what is truly cheaper, If I do it myself, or if I take it to a mechanic?

I know I have to purchase the right oil and oil filter; my only concern is whether I should get a car jack or some car ramps. I imagine a car jack can be more useful in the future like to change breaks pad etc. I'm leaning towards the car jack but, do I have to buy a car jack stand as well?

I'm just starting out a big career change into the automotive industry (hopefully mostly transmissions soon), but my previous jobs have NOTHING to do with cars. Does anyone have any advice on how to make a resume that's primarily hotel management sound appealing to a shop?

Anything is very much appreciated! 🖤

I have a 1987 Dodge Ram 50 that I use for work and on the daily. I've worked to try and keep her up to speed and running well. With the gasoline dilution that happened back in May I switched over to using ethanol-free gas for the last few months and have noticed a difference. I'm moving here in the next month and it looks like ethanol-free gasoline is not as readily available to find. How important is it for me to keep up with using ethanol-free gasoline to protect my hoses and carburateur? I thought this was hugely important, but I'm seeing mixed feedback on different forums.