How do I check car wash equipment before buying?

Car wash equipment is expensive, hard-working and exposed to water, chemicals and cold. A wash that looks tidy can hide worn conveyors, aging pumps or controls nobody can repair. A good inspection combines paperwork with a technician who has worked on the same type of machine. Start with the records, then see the machines run.

Age, logs and parts

List each major machine with its make, model and year. Ask for service logs, repair invoices and any downtime records. Then ask the manufacturer or distributor whether parts and support are still available for each model. Equipment that works today but cannot be repaired tomorrow is a risk you need to see before you commit. Ask the seller what has been replaced recently and what the technician expects to need attention in the next few seasons.

Water, heating and controls

Look at the water reclaim system, the heaters, the pumps, the chemical delivery and the drains. Ask when filters, tanks and boilers were last serviced. Test the controllers and pay stations, and ask who holds the software licences and passwords. A technician can tell you which systems look near the end of their life. Ask for the manuals and the commissioning paperwork as well, so you know what the equipment was set up to do.

Leased items and who inspects

Ask for a list of anything leased, financed or owned by a supplier, including vacuums, dispensers and signs. Your lawyer can check for security interests registered against the equipment. Bring in an independent technician, and ask your lender whether it wants its own appraisal. See the equipment and asset checklist for a general list.