Parts, tools, mileage — tracked in one app
Parts from Euro Car Parts, GSF, Andrew Page. Tools from Snap-on or Halfords. Mileage to every customer. All in one place.
Parts run by 9am, customer by 11am, parts run again by 3pm
A typical UK mobile mechanic visits motor factors 1-2 times per day, drives between 4-8 customer addresses, fills the van with diesel multiple times a week, and buys diagnostic kit and tools throughout the year. Receipts pile up in the van and disappear by year-end.
What PocketReceipt tracks for mobile mechanics
Motor factor receipts
Euro Car Parts, GSF, Andrew Page, Motor Factor, eBay parts. Vendor auto-recognised and tagged.
Van expenses
Diesel, insurance, MOT, repairs, breakdown cover. Choose simplified mileage or actual costs.
Diagnostic equipment
OBD scanners, scope tools, code readers, software subscriptions. Capital allowance flagged on big-ticket items.
Hand tools & tooling
Snap-on, Halfords, Sealey purchases. Tagged as tools, fully allowable.
Customer mileage
GPS or manual log to each customer. HMRC 45p/25p auto-applied. Multi-stop days handled.
Insurance & subs
Motor trade insurance, public liability, IMI / VOSA fees, trade-body memberships. All categorised.
A typical mobile mechanic's day, tracked
- 8:00am — fill van with diesel, scan receipt
- 9:00am — pick up brake pads from Euro Car Parts, scan invoice
- 10:00am — drive to customer, mileage logged
- 12:00pm — second motor factor run for an additional part, scan receipt
- 3:00pm — pay annual motor trade insurance, receipt forwarded
- Sunday — export weekly summary to your accountant
FAQ for mobile mechanics
Can I claim my diagnostic scanner?
Yes — diagnostic equipment used for the business is fully allowable. Items over £1,000 may be treated as capital allowances. PocketReceipt flags those automatically.
Are parts I supply to customers deductible?
Yes — parts are materials, fully allowable. Tag them to the job for accurate customer billing if you do flat-rate quotes.
Should I use simplified mileage or actual van costs?
Depends on miles. High-mileage mechanics (10,000+ business miles) sometimes beat simplified with actual-cost claims. PocketReceipt tracks both so you can compare at year-end.
Do I need motor trade insurance?
Yes if you drive customer cars or have multiple vehicles. Premiums are 100% allowable as a business expense.