How Much Is My Auto Repair Shop Worth?

Free auto shop business valuation

1. Earnings

Use your most recent full year — your tax return or P&L. Estimates are fine; you can change any answer later.

Annual revenue

Total sales before expenses. Example: 850000

Reported profit

Net profit before income tax, as shown on your P&L or tax return. Enter a negative number for a loss. Example: 95000

Owner pay

Salary, draws, payroll taxes and benefits paid to one working owner. Example: $70,000 salary + $8,000 health insurance = 78000

Interest, depreciation & amortization (optional)

Non-cash and financing costs on your P&L. Example: 12000 of depreciation on a work truck

One-time or personal expenses (optional)

Costs a new owner wouldn't have. Example: a 6000 legal settlement, or a family member's phone paid by the business

Seller's discretionary earnings (SDE): —

Profit + owner pay + add-backs. SDE is what one full-time owner-operator takes home, and it's the standard earnings figure buyers use for businesses selling under about $2M.

2. About your business

Industry

State

Years in business

Revenue change vs. prior year (%) (optional)

Employees, not counting you

Your role day to day

I run daily operationsStaff handle most of it; I overseeIt runs without me

3. What transfers to a buyer

Check everything that applies.

Recurring revenueCustomers pay on a regular schedule, such as memberships, subscriptions or service plansCustomer contracts of 6 months or moreSigned agreements that would transfer to a new ownerOne customer is more than 25% of revenueBuyers look closely at how dependent revenue is on a single customerThe business owns its building or landProperty is valued separately and isn't included in the estimate

How Auto & Transportation businesses are valued

Auto repair businesses are usually priced as a multiple of seller's discretionary earnings (SDE), with higher multiples for shops with a loyal repeat customer base, certified technicians, and manufacturer authorizations. Equipment value (lifts, diagnostic tools) is typically added on top of the earnings multiple.

Across all industries, small businesses selling for under $2M averaged 2.0×–3.1× SDE (IBBA & M&A Source Market Pulse, Q4 2025). The calculator above starts from these averages; businesses in your industry may trade above or below them.

What buyers look for

→Certified technicians who will remain after sale
→Mix of revenue: retail, fleet, and insurance work
→Equipment condition and age (included in sale)
→No outstanding liabilities or environmental concerns

What increases your valuation

✓Fleet accounts and corporate service contracts add recurring value
✓Dealer authorizations (OEM certifications) command premium pricing
✓Real estate ownership is a significant value driver
✓Absentee management increases buyer confidence