CFACommercial Funding Advisory

Automotive & Equipment

Business Funding for Auto Repair Shops

Auto repair shops need lifts, diagnostic scanners, alignment machines, and a deep inventory of parts to keep bays turning. A single two-post lift costs $3,000 to $10,000, and a proper scan tool runs $5,000 or more. The real challenge is that customer vehicles sit in your bays tying up space while you wait on parts, and you eat the labor cost if a job takes longer than estimated.

Common Uses

What Auto Repair Shops Use Funding For

  • Purchase hydraulic lifts, tire changers, wheel balancers, and alignment machines
  • Stock parts inventory to reduce downtime waiting on supplier deliveries
  • Upgrade to ADAS calibration equipment required for modern vehicle systems
  • Renovate or expand the shop to add more service bays

Funding Options

Best Funding Types for Auto Repair Shops

Equipment Financing

Finance lifts, diagnostic equipment, and alignment systems with the equipment as collateral. Auto shop equipment has predictable resale value through dealers like Snap-on and Hunter Engineering, so lenders offer strong terms.

Business Line of Credit

Keep a revolving credit line to purchase parts from distributors and cover payroll between customer payments. Shops that buy parts on account need cash flow flexibility when large repair orders come in.

Merchant Cash Advance

Auto repair shops that process a high volume of credit card payments qualify easily for MCAs. Use one for emergency equipment replacement or a quick shop renovation without the wait of a traditional loan.

What Lenders Look For

Qualification Notes for Auto Repair Shops

ASE certifications for your technicians and proper state repair facility licensing are expected by lenders
Shops with a mix of maintenance (oil changes, tires) and repair work show more stable revenue
Environmental compliance for waste oil, coolant, and refrigerant disposal must be documented and current

Ready to Explore Funding for Your Auto Repair Shop Business?

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