Running out of money in Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 can feel like hitting a brick wall — especially when you’re staring at an empty garage, an inventory with a single wheel bearing, and a grand total of £0 in your account. But here’s the good news: the game is built with recovery in mind. You can absolutely bounce back from financial rock bottom, and this guide is going to show you exactly how to do it — step-by-step.

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Step One: The Zero Budget Job Hunt

Start by finding a basic job that requires no parts — ideally something like fluid refills. You don’t need cash upfront to complete these jobs, just the willingness to dive into the basics. Coolant, brake fluid, power steering — any of these will do. These jobs appear regularly on the job board, and most of them involve nothing more than draining and refilling.

Don’t worry about the cost of the fluids showing up as negative. Yes, you will technically go into the red — you might see -£14, -£28, and so on — but that’s part of the process. The game allows it. Complete the job anyway. When it’s done, you’ll still get paid (typically around £50–£90), and that payout will push you back into the positive.

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Step Two: Save and Reset Strategy

Once you’ve dipped into the negatives and finished a task, save your game. Then reload the file from the main menu and you’ll see the changes stick — now with money in hand again. It’s a safeguard baked into the game’s systems to make sure you’re never permanently stuck. This means even on Expert Mode, where part highlighting is disabled, the same trick works. Find simple jobs and grind your way up.

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Step Three: Work the Fluid Loop

The best part of this recovery loop? You can repeat it indefinitely. Once you’re paid from a single fluid job, just jump into the next. Look for another coolant refill. Then maybe add windshield washer fluid. Keep your eyes open for these easy “one job” assignments, and you’ll stack a few hundred credits quickly without needing to dismantle anything or buy parts.

This is the foundation of getting back on your feet. The faster you recognize and exploit this loop, the quicker your garage will get back into operational shape.

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Step Four: Scaling Slowly With Cheap Repairs

Once you’ve got around £150–£200, you’ll unlock your next tier: brake jobs. These are the cheapest part-based repairs in the game. Look for tasks that require replacing worn discs or pads. Use your small budget wisely: buy only what you need, finish the job, and repeat. Every brake job nets more money than it costs.

From here, the game begins to open up. Suspension work becomes viable. Then wheel bearings, rubber bushings, maybe even a small restoration project once you’ve built up enough.

Remember: you’re not chasing perfection at this stage. You’re chasing momentum.

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Why the Game Won’t Let You Fail

At its core, Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 is designed to be player-friendly. It won’t let you lose. Even if you spend your last credit, even if you have no parts to sell and no cars in your garage, the game will still generate jobs you can complete with no upfront cost. This safety net ensures you’re never truly bankrupt — just temporarily broke.

Think of it as the “safety valve” system. If you’re flat broke, you reset to the lowest rung on the mechanic ladder: jobs that require time, not tools. But from there, you can climb again.

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Final Thoughts: The Comeback is Always Stronger

Hitting zero might feel like a setback, but in CMS 2021, it’s just a reset. Your toolbox remains full. Your lifts still work. And your garage door is still open. This recovery loop gives every player a way to rebuild — from fluid flushes to full restorations.

So don’t sweat it. Get those hands dirty, and before long, you’ll be turning wrenches on high-end builds again. Until then, take every job you can, stay lean, and enjoy the process of climbing back from zero.

Because in Car Mechanic Simulator, failure isn’t the end. It’s just a reason to pick up the wrench and keep going.