Car Wash, Gas Station and Convenience Store Equipment Financing
Car wash equipment financing, gas station equipment financing and convenience store equipment loans from Liberty Capital Group. One application reaches multiple lenders and leasing companies, so you can add a tunnel, replace dispensers or rebuild your store without draining the cash that keeps the business running.
Car wash, gas station and c-store financing at a glance
- Amounts: from about $10,000; application-only up to $250,000; up to $2,000,000 with financials
- Terms: 12 to 60 months, used equipment up to 60 months (program-dependent)
- Structures: equipment finance agreement, $1 buyout lease, FMV lease, term loans, SBA and lines of credit
- Promotions: $99 for the first 3 or 6 months and 90-day deferral on select programs
- Extras: vendor pre-funding, bundled installation and soft costs, multiple funding lines
- Quote: soft pull for your quote, no application fee
What Is Car Wash Equipment Financing?
Car wash equipment financing lets you buy tunnel systems, in-bay automatics, dryers, water reclamation and pay stations and pay for them over time. The equipment is the collateral, so approval is faster and easier than a bank loan and you usually don't have to pledge your land or building. Payments are fixed, so you can plan them against the extra cars, memberships and fuel gallons the upgrade brings in.
The same programs cover gas stations, truck stops, travel centers and convenience stores. Many operators run all three businesses on one site, so we often finance the wash, the pumps and the store equipment on a single application with one monthly payment.
Car Wash Equipment You Can Finance
New and used equipment qualifies, from single-bay upgrades to full express tunnel builds. Installation, freight, electrical and software can usually be rolled into the financing.
Tunnel and conveyor systems
Express and full-service tunnels, conveyors, correlators, brushes, wraps, mitters, arches and controllers.
In-bay automatics
Touchless and soft-touch rollover systems, the fastest way to add capacity at a gas station.
Self-serve bays
High-pressure pumps, foam brushes, boom arms, bay meters and card readers.
Dryers and blowers
Producers, stand-alone dryers and blower packages that improve finish quality and throughput.
Water reclamation and RO
Reclaim systems, reverse osmosis spot-free rinse, water softeners and boilers that cut utility costs.
Chemical systems
Chemical dispensing, ceramic and wax applicators and tire shine applicators.
Pay stations and POS
Auto cashiers, license plate recognition, membership software and gate systems.
Vacuums and extras
Central vacuum systems, mat cleaners, vending, signage and site lighting.
Car Wash Equipment Costs
Typical price ranges help you size a request. Your vendor quote is what we finance, and we can bundle quotes from more than one vendor.
| Equipment | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Self-serve bay equipment (per bay) | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| In-bay automatic (touchless or soft-touch) | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| Express tunnel equipment package | $500,000 – $1,500,000+ |
| Dryer and blower package | $30,000 – $120,000 |
| Water reclamation system | $20,000 – $100,000 |
| Pay station or auto cashier | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| Central vacuum system | $20,000 – $80,000 |
Ranges are general industry estimates and vary by brand, size and installation.
Gas Station Equipment Financing
Gas station equipment financing covers the forecourt, the tanks and everything that keeps fuel and payments moving. Compliance upgrades like EMV at the pump and tank monitoring are some of the most common requests, because they can't wait for the budget to catch up.
- Fuel dispensers, EMV card readers and pump upgrades
- Underground and above-ground storage tanks, piping and tank monitoring systems
- Canopies, LED canopy lighting and price signs
- POS systems, back-office software and security cameras
- EV charging stations and installation
- Air and water machines, ice merchandisers and car wash add-ons
Financing the equipment keeps your cash available for fuel inventory, which is usually the biggest cash need at any station.
Convenience Store Equipment Financing
Convenience store equipment financing and leasing covers the inside of the store, from coolers to food service. Upgrading refrigeration and food service is one of the fastest ways to raise in-store margin, and fixed payments let the new sales cover the cost.
Refrigeration
Walk-in coolers and freezers, beer caves, reach-in and glass-door merchandisers and ice machines.
Food service
Roller grills, pizza ovens, fryers, hot cases, coffee and fountain systems and hoods.
Store systems
POS, scanners, ATMs, security and camera systems, lottery and loyalty technology.
Store build-out
Shelving, counters, lighting, signage and remodels, with soft costs bundled where the program allows.
Current Car Wash and Gas Station Financing Promotions
$99 for the first 3 or 6 months · 90-day deferral (select programs, well-qualified businesses)
- No balloon equipment financing
- $0 down for qualified operators, or one advance payment
- Terms 12 to 60 months (used up to 60 months, program-dependent)
- Equipment finance agreements and FMV leases
- Application-only up to $250,000; up to $2,000,000 with financials
- Vendor pre-funding available
- Multiple funding lines available if needed
- Low credit considered for well-established operators
Program-dependent and subject to credit approval.
Leasing vs. Buying Car Wash and Gas Station Equipment
For most operators, leasing or financing equipment beats paying cash:
- Cash flow management. Leasing needs a low capital outlay compared to an outright purchase, so your working capital stays free for fuel, inventory, chemicals and payroll.
- Inflation buster. Equipment prices keep climbing. A lease locks in today's price with a fixed payment, and you pay it back with tomorrow's dollars.
- Low, manageable payments. Fixed monthly payments make budgeting predictable and can be matched to seasonal wash volume.
- Terms up to 5 years, most with a $1 buyout. At the end of the term you own the equipment for a dollar, with no balloon payment.
- Section 179 and 100% bonus depreciation. A $1 buyout lease is generally treated as a purchase for tax purposes, so qualifying equipment may be eligible for the Section 179 deduction and 100% bonus depreciation in the year it is placed in service. Ask your CPA.
- Conserve cash. Keep your reserves for slow months, repairs and the next location instead of tying them up in equipment.
Paying cash can make sense for small, short-lived purchases. For a tunnel, dispensers or a cooler package, spreading the cost lets the equipment pay for itself.
Sample Monthly Payments
Rates and terms disclosure: Any rates, payments or terms shown are examples only. Sample rates apply to established businesses with 3 to 5+ years in business and strong credit (680+ FICO) and are subject to credit approval. Rates for startups vary and are subject to final approval. This is not an offer or commitment to lend.
| Amount financed | 36 months @ 10% | 60 months @ 10% | 36 months @ 16% | 60 months @ 16% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $807 | $531 | $879 | $608 |
| $50,000 | $1,613 | $1,062 | $1,758 | $1,216 |
| $100,000 | $3,227 | $2,125 | $3,516 | $2,432 |
| $250,000 | $8,067 | $5,312 | $8,789 | $6,080 |
Want your own numbers? Use our payment calculator or get a real quote in 3 minutes.
Car Wash and Gas Station Financing Options
Equipment finance agreement (EFA)
Own the equipment from day one with fixed payments and no balloon. The most common way to finance wash equipment and dispensers.
$1 buyout lease
Low payments over up to 5 years, and you own it for a dollar at the end. Generally treated as a purchase for Section 179.
FMV lease
The lowest payment, with the option to return, upgrade or buy at fair market value. Useful for technology like POS and pay stations.
SBA 7(a) and 504 loans
Long terms and lower down payments to buy, build or refinance a station or wash with the real estate.
Term loans and lines of credit
Lump-sum capital or revolving access for remodels, fuel inventory, repairs and slow seasons.
Working capital and MCA
Fast funding based on card sales for short-term needs. Higher cost, so we use it only when it fits.
Learn more about equipment financing, working capital loans and SBA loans.
Business Loans for Gas Stations
Gas stations have thin fuel margins and heavy cash needs, so the right structure matters more than the rate alone. Here is how to get a commercial loan for a gas station:
- Match the loan to the use. Real estate purchases and ground-up builds usually go SBA or conventional commercial mortgage. Equipment, remodels and compliance upgrades go equipment financing. Fuel inventory and short-term gaps go to a line of credit.
- Prepare the numbers. Three years of business and personal tax returns, year-to-date financials, fuel gallons and inside-store sales, and three to four months of bank statements.
- Plan for environmental review. Lenders financing a station with the real estate typically require a Phase I environmental site assessment and tank compliance records.
- Show your supply agreement. Branded or unbranded, your fuel supply contract and any incentive funds from the supplier help the file.
- Apply once. One Liberty Capital application reaches multiple lenders, so you compare offers without bank-hopping.
How to Get a Loan to Buy a Car Wash
Buying an existing car wash is usually financed with an SBA loan or commercial real estate loan, often with 10% to 25% down depending on the program. Lenders look at the seller's tax returns, wash counts, membership revenue, equipment age and the site appraisal. Plan the equipment side separately: financing new dryers or a pay station after closing lets your down payment go further and raises the value of the wash you just bought. See our guide to business acquisition financing.
Converting a gas station bay or adding an in-bay automatic to an existing site is often easier to finance than a full acquisition, because the fuel and store sales already support the payment.
Financing for New Builds and Startups
New car washes and stations get financed too. Lenders want to see strong personal credit, industry or management experience, a down payment or advance payments, and a realistic plan with projected wash counts or gallons. Equipment financing is often the easiest piece to approve on a new build because the equipment itself secures the deal. Rates for startups vary and are subject to final approval.
Choosing a Car Wash Equipment Leasing Company
Not all car wash equipment leasing companies work the same way. Before you sign, compare:
- Total cost, not just the payment. Ask for the term, buyout and all fees in writing.
- End-of-term options. $1 buyout, fixed purchase option or FMV. Know what you own at the end.
- Soft costs. Whether installation, freight, electrical and software can be included.
- Seasonal and deferred payments. Useful in markets where winter or rain changes wash volume.
- Access to more than one lender. A broker with multiple funding sources can find approvals a single lessor can't.
What You Need to Apply
- Online application. Complete, upload and authorize. Soft inquiry up front; a hard inquiry may occur upon approval.
- Equipment invoice or quote. Multiple vendors welcome. We can bundle them into one monthly payment, and private-sale bills of sale are often accepted.
- Three to four months of bank statements. To verify revenue and set up ACH autopay.
- Over $250,000: two to three years of business tax returns and current financials.
Why Operators Choose Liberty Capital Group
Since 2004 we have financed equipment and growth for car washes, gas stations, truck stops and convenience stores. One application reaches multiple lenders and leasing companies, with no application fee, a soft credit pull for your quote and a dedicated funding advisor from quote to delivery. We also finance auto repair shops and other service businesses.
Car Wash and Gas Station Financing FAQ
How does car wash equipment financing work?
You pick the equipment and vendor, we send one application to multiple lenders and leasing companies, and you choose the offer. The lender pays the vendor and you make fixed monthly payments. The equipment secures the financing, so you usually don't need to pledge your property or other assets.
What car wash equipment can be financed?
Tunnel and conveyor systems, in-bay automatics, self-serve bay equipment, dryers and blowers, water reclamation and reverse osmosis systems, chemical dispensing, pay stations and POS, vacuums, signage, installation and software. New and used equipment qualify.
Can I finance gas station equipment like fuel dispensers and tanks?
Yes. Fuel dispensers, EMV pump upgrades, underground storage tanks and tank monitoring, canopies, POS systems, air and water machines, EV chargers and installation costs can all be financed, often as one bundled payment.
How do I get a commercial loan for a gas station?
Buying or building a gas station with the real estate usually means an SBA 7(a) or 504 loan or a conventional commercial mortgage, with 10% to 25% down, a Phase I environmental report, three years of tax returns and a fuel supply agreement. For equipment, remodels and working capital, equipment financing and term loans are faster and need less paperwork.
How do I get a loan to buy a car wash?
Most car wash acquisitions are financed with an SBA loan or a commercial real estate loan, supported by the seller's financials, wash counts, membership revenue and a site appraisal. Equipment upgrades after the purchase can be financed separately so your down payment goes further.
What credit score do I need?
Our best sample rates are for established businesses with 3 to 5+ years in business and 680+ FICO. We also work with lower scores and newer operators, especially when the business has steady sales or the owner has industry experience. Rates and terms depend on the full file and are subject to approval.
Can a new car wash or gas station get financing?
Yes. Startups and new builds are financed every day, usually with stronger personal credit, some industry experience, a down payment or a first-and-last payment, and a clear business plan. Rates for startups vary and are subject to final approval.
How fast can I get funded?
Application-only requests up to $250,000 can be approved in as little as 24 to 48 hours and funded within a few days once documents are signed. Larger requests up to $2,000,000 need financials and usually take one to two weeks.
Is leasing car wash equipment tax deductible?
A $1 buyout lease or equipment finance agreement is generally treated as a purchase, so qualifying equipment may be eligible for Section 179 expensing and 100% bonus depreciation in the year it is placed in service. Consult your CPA about your situation.
What happens if I can't make my payments?
Missed payments can lead to late fees, repossession of the equipment, credit damage and possible legal action. That is why we structure payments around your real cash flow from the start, and why options like seasonal payments or a 90-day deferral matter.
Equipment vendors and distributors: offer financing to your car wash and petroleum customers. Become an approved Liberty Capital vendor.
Get Your Car Wash or Gas Station Equipment Financing Quote
Rates and terms disclosure: Any rates, payments or terms shown are examples only. Sample rates apply to established businesses with 3 to 5+ years in business and strong credit (680+ FICO) and are subject to credit approval. Rates for startups vary and are subject to final approval. This is not an offer or commitment to lend.
Liberty Capital Group, Inc. · Established 2004 · NMLS #2009539 · California DFPI #60-DBO49692. Approval, promotions and terms depend on the program, lender and credit. Consult your CPA about the tax treatment of equipment purchases and leases.