What’s a Mechanic Workshop Worth in North America?

If you own an auto repair shop, you’ve probably had the thought—“Could I sell this one day?” Good news: demand is holding steady in North America, especially for well-run shops with repeat customers and trusted reputations.

But just like a car, value depends on what’s under the hood.

What Are Buyers Paying?

Most mechanic workshops are valued on a multiple of profit (SDE or EBITDA) or, for smaller owner-operator shops, sometimes a percentage of annual revenue.

Typical Ranges:

Smaller owner-led shops:

🔧 2.0x to 2.8x Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE)

🚗 Or roughly 30% to 45% of annual revenue

➕ Often includes equipment and goodwill

Larger, systemised multi-tech shops:

🔧 3.0x to 5.0x EBITDA, especially if under management

🛠️ If you’ve got multiple bays, service writers, and aren’t turning the wrench yourself, you’ll likely see a premium

What Increases Value?

Buyers are most attracted to:

Recurring revenue from fleets or commercial clients

ASE-certified techs staying on post-sale

Digital systems for scheduling, billing, inventory, and CRM

Strong brand in the local community (Google reviews matter!)

Owner not in the weeds—or ready to step back after transition

Shops with tire sales, alignment services, and emissions testing also get bonus points—they keep customers coming back and create cross-sell opportunities.

What Hurts Value?

The business revolves entirely around the owner

No succession plan for retiring techs

Aging equipment with looming capex

Lease uncertainty or poor location visibility

Buyer Profile?

Most buyers are either:

Independent operators looking to expand to a second or third location

Private equity-backed roll-ups (yes, even in auto repair!)

Techs ready to stop working for someone else and take over an existing book of business

Final Thought:

You’ll always make more money owning a great shop than you will selling it—but when the time comes, a clean, systemised, and profitable workshop will attract buyers.