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Auto Repair Shops Cash Flow Guide

Parts go out before payment comes in. Here is how established shops manage the gap, and how fast working capital can help when they need it.

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Auto Repair Cash Flow

Keep bays full and parts on the shelf

Cash flow in a repair shop is a timing problem. Capital matched to your deposits can cover parts, payroll and equipment while invoices clear.

As fast as
24 hours

Amount to request

$85,000.00

Funding range$25K to $5M

*Sample amounts shown. Your actual offer depends on your business and is reviewed before approval.

Funding that fits how shops run

Quick and simple

Five-minute application and about three months of bank statements. Funding in as little as 24 hours for qualified shops.

Credit flexibility

FICO 500+ considered, with a soft credit pull to start. Steady shop deposits matter most.

Costs shown up front

Your offer shows the full repayment amount before you accept, with no surprise costs after you sign.

Repayment you can plan

The schedule is spelled out in your offer, so you can budget around parts orders and payroll.

Cash flow tight this month?

Fast decisions. Applying takes about 5 minutes.

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How it works

Apply in minutes

A short application. A soft credit pull to start.

Fast decision

We review revenue, time in business and bank activity, not just a credit score.

Review your offer

You see the amount, the schedule and the full repayment amount before you sign.

Get funded

Funding in as little as 24 hours for qualified businesses.

Why cash gets tight in a busy shop

A full lot does not always mean a full bank account. Auto repair shops buy parts before the customer pays, carry technician payroll whether bays are full or not, and sometimes wait on fleet accounts or warranty claims. A big transmission job can tie up hundreds of dollars in parts for days while the car sits on a lift.

Good cash flow management in an auto repair shop comes down to three things: knowing when money leaves, knowing when it comes back, and having a buffer for the gap between the two.

The four pressure points to watch

  1. Parts and inventory: fast-moving filters, brakes and fluids keep turns quick, but specialty parts and stocking orders lock up cash.
  2. Labor: flat-rate techs still need steady hours, and losing a good tech costs more than a slow week.
  3. Receivables: fleet, insurance and warranty work often pays later than walk-in customers.
  4. Equipment: lifts, scan tools, alignment machines and ADAS calibration gear get expensive to replace.

Habits that smooth out the swings

Seasonal dips are common. Our page on slow-season funding for auto repair covers that scenario directly.

When outside capital fits

Financing makes sense when a specific need has a clear payback: a new lift that opens another bay, a parts stocking order before the busy season, or covering payroll while a large fleet invoice clears. We offer working capital, merchant cash advances, a business line of credit, equipment financing and revenue-based financing, with funding from $25,000 to $5,000,000.

We review about three months of business bank statements, start with a soft credit pull, and consider FICO 500+. No tax returns are required. Your offer lists the full repayment amount and the schedule before you accept. Apply in about five minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest cash flow mistake in auto repair?

Treating busy months as extra cash instead of building a buffer for parts orders, slow weeks and equipment repairs.

Can financing help with parts inventory?

Yes. Many shops use working capital or a line of credit to stock up before busy seasons. See our auto repair inventory funding page for more.

Do you need my tax returns?

No. We review about three months of business bank statements and a short application.

How quickly can a shop get funded?

Decisions move fast, with funding in as little as 24 hours for qualified businesses.

Can a one-owner shop apply?

Yes. Sole proprietors can apply as long as the business has steady deposits.

New two-post lift $22,000.00
Parts stocking $30,000.00
ADAS calibration $48,000.00
Tech payroll $35,000.00

Example uses for illustration only.

How to improve your chances

These steps strengthen both your cash flow and your next funding offer.

  • Run all shop revenue through one business bank account
  • Take deposits on special-order parts jobs
  • Follow up on fleet invoices every week
  • Keep overdrafts rare by holding a small reserve

Shop financing with us vs. a bank

Merchant Fund Express
Traditional bank loans
Paperwork
About 3 months of statements
Tax returns and financials
Time to apply
About 5 minutes
Hours plus branch visits
Credit
FICO 500+ considered
Higher scores usually needed
Funding speed
As little as 24 hours if qualified
Weeks in many cases
First credit check
Soft pull
Hard pull

Give your shop some breathing room

One secure application. A soft credit pull to start. No obligation to accept an offer.

Apply for Funding
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