How do I keep my auto repair shop running well while it’s for sale?

Listing a shop does not pause it. Buyers look at recent months closely, and a dip while the sale is under way raises questions that are hard to answer. The months between listing and closing are also when owners are tempted to coast. Treat them as part of the sale. What follows is a practical way to keep the shop steady until the keys change hands.

Keep the work and the equipment steady

Keep technician hours and the number of cars coming through as even as you can. Do not defer repairs to hoists, diagnostic tools or other equipment because the sale is coming. A buyer will inspect them, and a pre-purchase equipment check tends to find what has been put off. Keep ordering the parts and supplies the shop normally uses.

Customers, fleets and reviews

Answer reviews as you always have and keep service reminders going out. Stay in touch with fleet and commercial accounts, because a buyer will want to know they are healthy. You do not need to tell every customer about the sale. Ask your lawyer what the confidentiality terms with any prospective buyer require you to say and when.

Staff and monthly numbers

Decide in advance who will be told about the sale, when and by whom. Staff who hear it through rumour may start looking elsewhere, and losing a technician mid-sale can unsettle a buyer. Prepare your monthly reports promptly so the buyer can follow the shop’s results. Your accountant can help you keep them consistent and ready to share.