Taking the plunge into automotive maintenance and repair can be a rewarding, albeit challenging, undertaking. We’ve heard countless stories from would-be auto shop rock stars who had their plans foiled by a lack of proper equipment and the following headaches, loss of business, and inefficiencies. To ensure your auto shop avoids these rocky starts, we’ve compiled a short list of auto shop must-haves to ensure your new business begins with solid footing, giving you a foundation for growth and stellar customer service for many years to come!
1. Vehicle lift
It’s no secret that much of the work cars need to do requires access to components underneath the vehicle. Some of this work can be done simply by jacking a vehicle up and crawling underneath, but your customers will typically require more advanced work that they can’t do at home with their jacks. Rather than wasting time by crawling underneath cars all day and untangling a maze of parts in cramped conditions, invest in a sturdy vehicle lift that will give you easy access to the vehicle. High-quality lifts for single cars come in the range of about $3,000 to $7,000 and are capable of paying themselves off with amazing decreases in turnaround time and the more advanced services you can offer with easy access to the undercarriage. We carry an excellent collection of vehicle lifts to meet your needs here!
2. Air compressor
Air tools are a must-have in any shop, and to power them effectively for a long time, you’ll need a durable air compressor that can handle the workload of your shop. There’s innumerable stories of small or poorly-made air compressors giving up the ghost in the middle of a shop’s workday, resulting in frustrating delays, unhappy customers, and added costs to your operations. A good air compressor, which can be found for about $1000 to $3000, will last for so long you might lose track of its service life! An air compressor investment will ensure that your shop is always in working order, preventing interruptions to service and saving you and your customers a lot of hassle in the long run. You can check out our
3. Brake lathe
Problems with braking systems are one of the top 10 reasons people visit an automotive repair shop according to Autos.com, meaning that you’ll either miss out on a lot of potential business or be forced to eat the cost of third-party brake repairs for your clientele if you do not have a working brake lathe. The capability of in-house brake repairs and the staggering number of potential new customers, or reduction in overhead, makes purchasing your brake lathe a real no-brainer. Your brake lathe will run you about $6,000 to $10,000, costs easily recovered from new clients and upselling your existing customer base on the appealing idea of fresh rotors, better ride, and increased road safety. We have a
4. Oil Extractor
Oil extractors are a must-have in any automotive workshop, and to keep your maintenance operations running smoothly for a long time, you’ll need a reliable oil extraction system that can handle the workload of your service bays. There’s no shortage of tales about cheap, flimsy oil extractors failing mid-job, causing frustrating work stoppages, disappointed customers, and unnecessary added expenses to your business operations. A quality oil extractor, typically priced between $200 to $600, will last so long you might forget when you originally purchased it! An oil extractor investment will ensure that your shop maintains peak efficiency, preventing service interruptions and saving both you and your customers significant time and hassle in the long run. You can check out our unbeatable selection of premium oil extractors here.
5. A/C Recovery Machines
A/C recovery machines are a must-have in any automotive repair facility, and to manage refrigerant effectively for a long time, you’ll need a reliable recovery machine that can handle the workload of your shop. There are innumerable stories of small or poorly-made A/C recovery machines breaking down in the middle of a service job, resulting in frustrating delays, unhappy customers, and added costs to your operations. A good A/C recovery machine, which can be found for about $500 to $2000, will last for so long you might lose track of its service life! An A/C recovery machine investment will ensure that your shop is always in working order, preventing interruptions to service and saving you and your customers a lot of hassle in the long run. You can check out our unbeatable selection of quality A/C recovery machines here.
5. Transmission Fluid Exchangers
Transmission fluid exchangers are a must-have in any automotive service center, and to maintain vehicle performance effectively for a long time, you’ll need a durable ATF exchanger that can handle the workload of your shop. There’s innumerable stories of small or poorly-made transmission fluid exchangers giving up the ghost in the middle of a shop’s workday, resulting in frustrating delays, unhappy customers, and added costs to your operations. A good transmission fluid exchanger, which can be found for about $800 to $2500, will last for so long you might lose track of its service life! A transmission fluid exchanger investment will ensure that your shop is always in working order, preventing interruptions to service and saving you and your customers a lot of hassle in the long run. You can check out our unbeatable selection of quality transmission fluid exchangers here.
6. Grease Dispenser
It’s no secret that automotive repair and maintenance requires efficient tools that can save time and improve workflow. A high-quality grease dispenser is one such essential piece of equipment that can dramatically streamline your service operations. While manually applying grease might seem possible, professional mechanics know that a reliable grease dispensing system can significantly reduce labor time and ensure precise lubrication. Professional-grade grease dispensers typically range from $200 to $800, representing a smart investment that quickly pays for itself through increased efficiency and reduced manual effort. These systems allow for consistent, clean, and accurate grease application across various automotive components, eliminating the messy and time-consuming process of traditional hand greasing. With advanced models featuring digital pressure controls and multiple dispensing attachments, you can dramatically enhance your shop’s productivity and service quality. We offer an exceptional selection of grease dispensers designed to meet the demanding needs of professional automotive service environments! We offer an exceptional selection of grease dispensers designed to meet the demanding needs of professional automotive service environments!
7. Brake Bleeder
It’s no secret that maintaining a vehicle’s brake system requires precise and efficient tools for optimal performance. Some brake maintenance can be done with basic hand tools, but your customers will typically require more advanced brake servicing that demands professional equipment. Rather than wasting time manually bleeding brake lines with traditional methods and risking air bubbles in the system, invest in a high-quality brake bleeder that will give you consistent and reliable brake fluid management. Professional brake bleeders come in the range of about $150 to $500 and are capable of paying themselves off with amazing improvements in service quality and the more advanced brake maintenance services you can offer with precise fluid management. We carry an excellent collection of brake bleeders to meet your professional automotive service needs here!We carry an excellent collection of brake bleeders to meet your professional automotive service needs here!
While a thoroughly stocked shop will carry all of these tools and many more, these are some of the most important pieces of equipment that your shop will need in order to thrive. A running start on popular repairs and rapid turnarounds will be your shop’s ticket to even more tools of the trade and growth for the future!