Financing Built for Repair, Collision and Tire Shops
Auto repair equipment financing from Liberty Capital Group helps repair shops, body shops, tire centers and fleet maintenance operations add bays, upgrade diagnostics and keep cash in the business. Finance or lease new or used automotive repair equipment, or get working capital for parts and payroll, with one application reviewed by multiple lenders.
Auto repair shop 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, working capital
- Specials: $99 for the first 3 or 6 months and 90-day deferral on select programs
- Extras: vendor pre-funding and multiple funding lines if needed
- Credit check: soft pull for your quote, no application fee
What Is Auto Repair Equipment Financing?
Auto repair equipment financing lets you buy lifts, alignment machines, diagnostic systems and other shop equipment and pay for it over time. The equipment is the collateral, so approval is faster and easier than a bank loan and you don't have to pledge your building or personal assets. Payments are fixed, so you can plan them against the extra car count the equipment brings in.
Automotive equipment financing works for general repair shops, collision centers, tire and wheel shops, transmission and diesel specialists, quick lubes, dealership service departments and fleet maintenance operations.
Automotive Repair Equipment You Can Finance
New and used equipment qualifies, from one vendor or several bundled into one monthly payment:
Lifts and hoists
Two-post, four-post, scissor and in-ground lifts, plus heavy-duty lifts for trucks and fleets.
Alignment and ADAS
Wheel alignment machines, alignment racks and ADAS calibration systems. Alignment equipment financing
Diagnostics and scan tools
Scan tools, oscilloscopes, emissions and smog equipment, battery testers.
Tire equipment
Tire changers, wheel balancers, road-force balancers and TPMS tools.
Collision and body
Frame machines, measuring systems, spot welders, dent repair and paint booths.
Paint and refinishing
Paint booths, prep stations, mixing systems and curing lamps.
EV and hybrid service
EV lifts and tables, high-voltage tools, battery service equipment and chargers.
Shop essentials
Air compressors, A/C recovery machines, brake lathes, parts washers, welders and tool packages.
Towing and service vehicles
Tow trucks, rollbacks and mobile service vans. Tow truck financing
Software and IT
Shop management software, digital inspection tools and front-office tech.
What Auto Shop Equipment Costs
Typical price ranges for professional shop equipment (brand, capacity and features change the numbers):
| Equipment | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Two-post lift | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Four-post alignment lift | $8,000 – $25,000 |
| Wheel alignment machine | $15,000 – $60,000 |
| ADAS calibration system | $20,000 – $60,000 |
| Tire changer | $2,000 – $12,000 |
| Wheel balancer | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Diagnostic scan tool | $2,000 – $15,000 |
| Frame straightening system | $20,000 – $80,000 |
| Paint booth | $30,000 – $150,000 |
| EV service equipment | $10,000 – $50,000 |
Outfitting a new bay usually runs $25,000 to $75,000, and a full collision center can reach $250,000 to $500,000+.
Sample monthly payments
Illustrative payments at two example rates. Sample rates are for 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.
Auto Repair Shop Financing and Leasing Options
Equipment finance agreement (EFA)
Own the equipment from day one with fixed payments and no balloon. The most common way shops finance lifts and alignment equipment.
$1 buyout lease
Low fixed payments, ownership for $1 at the end and potential Section 179 treatment.
FMV lease
The lowest payment, with the option to upgrade at the end. Good for diagnostics and ADAS technology that changes fast.
Working capital
Cash for parts inventory, payroll, technician hiring and marketing. Working capital
Business line of credit
Draw funds for parts and slow weeks, repay, and draw again. Lines of credit
SBA and commercial real estate
Buy an existing shop or the building you operate from. Commercial loans
Current Auto Repair Equipment Financing Promotions
$99 for the first 3 or 6 months · 90-day deferral (select programs, well-qualified businesses)
- No balloon equipment financing
- 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 shops
Program-dependent and subject to credit approval.
Leasing vs. Buying Auto Repair Equipment
For most shops, 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 parts, payroll and technicians.
- 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 your car count and seasonal swings.
- 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 (up to $2.56 million for 2026) or 100% bonus depreciation in the year it is placed in service. Confirm with your CPA.
- Conserve cash. Keep reserves and bank lines open for opportunities and emergencies instead of tying them up in equipment.
| EFA / $1 buyout lease | FMV lease | Paying cash | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly payment | Moderate, fixed | Lowest | None, but large upfront cost |
| Ownership | Yes | Optional at end | Yes |
| Upgrades | Sell or trade in | Easy, return and upgrade | Sell or trade in |
| Best for | Lifts, frame machines, booths | Diagnostics, ADAS, EV tools | Strong cash reserves |
Example: how an alignment machine pays for itself
A shop finances a $40,000 alignment machine and rack over 60 months. At a 10% example rate the payment is about $850 a month. At just three alignments a day, 22 days a month, at $110 each, the machine brings in about $7,260 a month, more than eight times the payment, before counting the suspension and tire work alignments uncover.
Body Shop and Collision Repair Equipment Financing
Collision repair is equipment-heavy: frame machines, electronic measuring, spot welders, aluminum repair stations and paint booths can put a new body shop's equipment list well past $250,000. Collision repair equipment financing spreads that cost over 3 to 5 years, and many owners pair it with a line of credit because insurance payments can lag weeks behind the repair. If you're looking for a body shop loan, equipment financing is usually the fastest and least expensive place to start.
Auto Repair Shop Loans and Working Capital
Not every need is a piece of equipment. Auto repair shop loans and working capital can cover:
- Build-out capital: renovations, leasehold improvements and signage to get new bays revenue-ready
- Payroll funding: keep your A-techs and service writers on board during slow weeks
- Inventory financing: parts and tire stock without tying up working capital
- Marketing, a new sign or a website to raise car count
- Building improvements, a new bay or a second location
- Buying an existing shop
For short-term needs, a line of credit or working capital loan works best. For buying a shop or building, an SBA or commercial loan offers longer terms. Avoid using a merchant cash advance for equipment. Daily payments and a high cost make it a poor fit for long-life shop equipment.
Auto Repair Shop Financing by Type of Shop
General repair shops
Lifts, diagnostics and alignment to add bays and handle more cars per day.
Collision and body shops
Frame machines, welders, measuring systems and paint booths.
Tire and wheel shops
Changers, balancers, alignment and tire inventory.
Transmission and diesel
Heavy-duty lifts, dynos and specialty tools.
Quick lube and oil change
Pit equipment, fluid systems and point-of-sale technology.
Fleet maintenance
Heavy-duty lifts and service trucks for commercial fleets.
Mobile mechanics
Service vans, portable lifts and diagnostic kits.
EV and hybrid specialists
EV lifts, battery equipment, high-voltage tools and chargers.
Auto Shop Equipment Financing for New Shops
Opening your own shop after years as a technician? Startup auto repair shops can finance equipment with:
- An active business entity and business license, plus an EIN
- Personal guarantees from all owners
- A minimum credit score around 650
- No bankruptcy in the last 7 years and no unresolved tax liens
- A business bank account
Startup programs can cover up to 90% of the equipment cost, with terms of 12 to 60 months. A down payment, industry experience and a lease on your shop location all help approval.
How to Choose Automotive Repair Equipment Leasing Companies
Before you sign with any automotive repair equipment leasing company, compare:
- Total cost, not just the payment
- End-of-term options: ownership, $1 buyout or FMV
- Balloon payments: avoid surprises at the end
- Vendor flexibility: any dealer or tool distributor, new or used
- Prepayment terms if you want to pay off early
As a broker and direct lender, we send one application to multiple lenders so you can compare side by side. See our guide to the best auto repair equipment leasing options. Shops in Hawaii can also see auto repair shop financing in Hawaii.
Approval Timeline
- Day 1: 3-minute online application with a soft credit pull.
- Day 1–2: Your advisor reviews bank statements and your equipment quote, then presents offers.
- Day 2–3: You choose an offer and sign electronically.
- Day 3–5: The vendor is paid and schedules delivery and installation.
What You Need to Apply
- Online application. Complete and authorize (soft pull first; a hard inquiry may occur at approval).
- Equipment invoice or quote. Multiple vendors accepted.
- 3 to 4 months of bank statements. Financials for requests over $250,000.
Why Shop Owners Choose Liberty Capital Group
Since 2004 we have financed equipment and growth for auto repair, collision and tire businesses. One application reaches multiple lenders and leasing companies, with no application fee, a soft credit pull for your quote and plain answers on total cost. Questions first? Read our business financing FAQ.
Auto Repair Shop Financing FAQ
How does auto repair equipment financing work?
You choose the equipment, we send one application to multiple lenders, and you pick the offer. The lender pays the vendor and you make fixed monthly payments. The equipment secures the financing, so no other collateral is usually needed.
What equipment can be financed?
Lifts, alignment machines and racks, ADAS calibration, diagnostic and scan tools, tire changers and balancers, frame machines, paint booths, EV service equipment, compressors, A/C machines, software and service vehicles.
Can I get a loan for a body shop?
Yes. Collision centers finance frame machines, measuring systems, welders and paint booths, and can use working capital or a line of credit for parts and payroll while insurance claims pay out.
What credit score do I need?
Startup guidelines begin around a 650 credit score with no bankruptcy in the last 7 years and no unresolved tax liens. The best rates and promotions go to shops with 3 to 5+ years in business and 680+ credit.
Is a down payment required?
Not always. Well-qualified shops can finance with little or nothing down. Startups and lower credit may need a down payment or security deposit.
Can I finance used shop equipment?
Yes. Used lifts, alignment machines and other equipment can be financed with terms up to 60 months, depending on age and condition.
Can startups get auto repair shop financing?
Yes, with an active business entity and license, an EIN, a business bank account, personal guarantees from all owners and good personal credit. Industry experience as a technician or manager helps a lot.
Can I finance equipment from more than one vendor?
Yes. We can bundle quotes from multiple vendors into one payment, and vendor pre-funding is available.
What affects the cost of financing?
Time in business, credit, the type and age of equipment, the term, the structure ($1 buyout, EFA or FMV) and any down payment.
Can I use financing for upgrades or expansion?
Yes. Many shops finance new bays, EV and ADAS capability, or a second location, and pair equipment financing with working capital for hiring and marketing.
How fast can I get funded?
Application-only deals up to $250,000 are often approved within 24 to 48 hours, and the vendor can be paid within days of signing.
Will checking my options hurt my credit?
No. We start with a soft credit pull for your quote. If a lender needs a hard inquiry at approval, we tell you first.
What happens if I can’t make my payments?
Talk to us early. The equipment secures the financing, so a default can lead to repossession, 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 tool distributors: offer financing to your customers. Become an approved Liberty Capital vendor.
Get Your Auto Repair 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.