Help us to keep our content free by donating.
Your contribution helps cover technical costs and continue our research.
The most important task when getting started as a professional auto repair shop is securing the right equipment. Without the right tools and machinery, you will not be able to do your job.
Not having the right equipment makes it impossible to do the job that people hire you for. Lacking the right equipment for basic repair work also makes your shop seem unprofessional.
Here is the must-have equipment that you need for running a professional auto repair shop. You can secure additional equipment later on as you expand to other services, but these pieces are necessary for getting started.
Jacks and Lifts
The most important tools that you need to get started in the auto repair business are those that make it possible for you to work on the car. While you can do some basic repairs just by looking under the hood, for more detailed work, you need equipment that will lift the car into the air.
There are a few different machines that help you look under the car’s chassis at the transmission and other parts. Jacks are one type of automotive equipment that give you the height necessary to work. Jacks work by using physics to lift part of an automobile in the air, giving you access to important parts.
There are a few different types of jacks. A transmission jack is specifically for working on a car’s transmission. Other jacks differ in the mechanisms they use to lift the car. Jack stands are manual, while hydraulic jacks use a hydraulic mechanism.
Another option for lifting a car in the air is a vehicle lift. As you can guess from the name, vehicle lifts raise the entire car so mechanics can easily access the entire underside of the vehicle. Lifts take up a lot of space and are expensive, but are crucial for serious auto repair work. Prioritize this piece of equipment when planning your auto repair shop and budget.
Air Compressor
Another important piece of equipment for a professional auto repair shop is an air compressor. An air compressor is a piece of equipment that pushes air through a narrow space, pressurizing it.
In an auto body shop, a compressor has many different purposes. Most importantly, they power other tools. Without them, many other pieces of equipment in your shop wouldn’t work.
Air compressors power pneumatic tools such as lifts, tire pumps, and other hand tools. Pneumatic tools are those that use compressed air instead of electricity as a power source. They are safer and take up less space than electric tools, while retaining the same power, but need an air compressor to function.
You never know what kinds of tools you will have at your disposal, so besides electrical energy, make sure that you have an air compressor on hand as well.
Brake Lathe and Other Related Tools
One of the most common problems people have when they come into the auto repair shop is brake trouble. To repair this piece of the car, you will need a few different types of equipment.
One of the most important is a brake lathe. A brake lathe is a piece of equipment that resurfaces brake rotors and other parts of the machinery. Removing surface imperfections extends the lifespan of brakes and allows you to fix a customer’s problem without replacing their entire brake system.
However, a brake lathe is not the only tool you need to offer brake maintenance as a professional auto repair shop. Brakes are complicated systems, especially those that are on luxury automobiles. Make sure that you have additional hand tools on hand that are helpful for brake repair, such as calibers, fluid testers, and gauges.
Oil Drain and Caddy
As a professional auto repair shop, you will have to offer basic services such as oil changes. Even these basic services require specialized equipment.
To perform oil changes, you need to get an oil drain and caddy. The drain fits onto the car and channels the oil away when you open up the valve. It allows you to remove the old oil completely and efficiently before you replace it.
Besides the drain, you will also need an oil caddy that attaches to the tube. The caddy stores old oil until you are ready to dispose of it safely. These connecting parts make it easier to go from oil change to oil change quickly and then dispose of everything safely at the end of the day.
Equipment that helps you watch out for shop safety is very important. Otherwise, the old oil would get all over your auto shop and cause a mess. It could also earn you a fine because there are strict regulations on how mechanics can dispose of products such as old vehicle oil to avoid pollution and contamination of local drains.
Battery Charger and Jumping Cables
Another common problem that brings people to the auto repair shop is battery trouble. When cars won’t start, a dead battery is the most common problem.
To power these vehicles back up, you will need a battery charger. Besides a battery charger, you can also use a battery jumper or jumping cables.
Since battery problems are so common, invest in a good battery charger since you will probably be using it. If your auto repair shop offers mobile service and towing as well, invest in a mobile battery jumper. That way, you can give vehicles a jump start until they get into the shop where you can take a more detailed look.
Preparing a Professional Auto Repair Shop
When starting your auto repair shop, you need to make sure that you have the right equipment on hand. Besides hand tools and basic equipment, make sure you get specialized equipment for common automotive problems such as oil changes, brake repairs, and dead batteries.
You will also need a few specialized tools that make the rest of your work possible. Air compressors power a lot of the tools present in auto shops, while lifts and jacks help you get better access.
As your shop expands and you offer more services, you can add more specialized equipment. For now, this is equipment that your shop cannot do without.