Auto Shop Financing
Equipment Financing for Auto Repair & Service Shops
Finance new or used vehicle lifts, alignment systems, tire equipment, diagnostics, collision equipment, paint booths and other shop equipment through 40+ Canadian lenders and financing partners.
At a Glance
Auto Repair Equipment Financing at a Glance
What can be financed
Vehicle lifts, alignment systems, tire equipment, diagnostic tools, collision equipment, compressors, paint booths and other revenue-producing shop equipment can be considered.
Transaction size
Raymond Leigh typically arranges equipment and business financing from $50,000 to $5 million.
Used equipment
Used shop equipment can be financed when the equipment, seller, age, condition and transaction structure meet lender requirements.
Imported equipment
Equipment purchased from U.S. or other international suppliers may be financeable with the right supplier documents, purchase agreement and delivery details.
Soft costs
Freight, installation, calibration, software, training and related costs may be included when they are directly tied to the equipment purchase and acceptable to the lender.
Equipment you already own
Existing shop equipment may support an equipment refinance or sale-leaseback when a business wants to unlock capital from assets already on its balance sheet.
Auto Repair & Service Shops
Financing Equipment for a Modern Auto Repair Shop
An auto repair business can tie up a significant amount of capital in equipment before the first vehicle reaches a service bay. Lifts, alignment systems, diagnostic platforms, tire machines, compressors and collision equipment may all be needed at the same time, particularly when opening a new location or expanding an existing shop.
The financing question is rarely just whether the equipment has value. Lenders may also consider the age and condition of the equipment, who is selling it, installation requirements, the strength of the business, how the equipment will be used and whether the purchase is part of a larger expansion.
Raymond Leigh works across 40+ Canadian lenders and financing partners to match the equipment, transaction and business with an appropriate financing route. That can be particularly useful when a shop is buying several types of equipment at once, purchasing used machinery, dealing with a private seller or trying to preserve cash for hiring, inventory and operating expenses.
Equipment
Equipment Auto Repair and Service Shops Can Finance
Financing can cover individual pieces of equipment or a larger package used to equip, expand or modernize a service facility.
Vehicle Lifts
Two-post lifts, four-post lifts, scissor lifts, alignment lifts, mobile column lifts and other automotive lifting systems.
Alignment & Wheel Service Equipment
Wheel alignment machines, alignment racks, tire changers, wheel balancers, wheel service systems and related shop equipment.
Diagnostic & ADAS Equipment
Professional diagnostic scanners, programming equipment, battery and electrical testing systems, ADAS calibration equipment and shop diagnostic technology.
Collision & Frame Equipment
Frame machines, measuring systems, pulling equipment, welders, dent repair systems and other collision repair equipment.
Paint & Body Shop Equipment
Paint booths, prep stations, mixing systems, curing equipment, ventilation systems and supporting body shop equipment.
General Shop Equipment
Air compressors, fluid handling systems, brake lathes, transmission equipment, shop cranes, cleaning systems and other equipment required to operate a service facility.
By Equipment Type
Financing by Auto Shop Equipment Type
Different equipment creates different financing considerations, particularly when installation, software, seller type or used-equipment condition becomes part of the transaction.
Vehicle Lifts
Vehicle lifts are often straightforward assets to identify, but the total project may include more than the lift itself. Freight, installation, electrical work and related setup costs may need to be considered when structuring the financing. For a multi-bay expansion, it can make more sense to finance several lifts together instead of treating every bay as a separate purchase.
Alignment Machines and Racks
A complete alignment setup may combine an alignment rack, alignment console, cameras or sensors, turn plates and supporting equipment. The lender should understand the full system being purchased rather than seeing only one invoice line. When the equipment is used, its age, manufacturer, condition and resale market can become more important.
Tire Changers and Wheel Balancers
Tire changers and wheel balancers are commonly purchased together as part of a wheel-service package. Shops may also combine them with alignment equipment, lifts or other service-bay upgrades under a larger equipment financing request. A bundled transaction can reduce the amount of working capital that has to be committed to a shop upgrade at one time.
Diagnostic Scanners and Shop Technology
Professional diagnostic platforms can include hardware, software, programming equipment and ongoing subscriptions. Hardware and equipment costs may fit more easily into an equipment financing structure than recurring software or subscription expenses. The financing structure should therefore separate the durable equipment from costs that a lender may treat as operating expenses.
ADAS Calibration Equipment
ADAS calibration systems can involve targets, frames, diagnostic equipment, alignment-related equipment and specialized software. The complete setup can represent a meaningful capital investment for a repair or collision facility. Because the system may include several components, providing the lender with a complete vendor quote helps establish what is being financed.
Frame and Collision Repair Equipment
Frame machines, computerized measuring systems, welders and pulling equipment can be substantial purchases for collision centres. Installation requirements and the useful life of the equipment can affect how the transaction is assessed. Established equipment from recognized manufacturers can also be easier for lenders to understand than highly customized or difficult-to-resell machinery.
Paint Booths
Paint booths are more complex than many pieces of portable shop equipment because installation, ventilation, electrical work and building modifications may represent a significant part of the project. The equipment quote should clearly separate the booth, installation and any construction-related work because a lender may not treat every cost in the project the same way.
Air Compressors and Shop Systems
A commercial compressor may support multiple bays and pieces of pneumatic equipment throughout the facility. Larger systems may also include dryers, tanks, piping and installation. When the compressor is part of a new shop build-out, separating equipment costs from leasehold improvements makes the financing request easier to assess.
Financing Options
Financing Options for Auto Repair Businesses
The right structure depends on whether the shop is buying equipment, replacing existing assets, expanding or trying to release capital already invested in the business.
New Equipment Financing
Finance new equipment purchased from Canadian dealers, distributors and manufacturers while preserving cash for other operating needs.
Explore equipment financingUsed Equipment Financing
Finance eligible used shop equipment purchased from a dealer, another business or, in some cases, a private seller.
Vendor Financing
Equipment dealers and distributors can work with Raymond Leigh to provide customers with another financing route at the point of sale.
Working Capital
Businesses with financing needs beyond the equipment purchase may also be considered for working-capital or accounts-receivable solutions where appropriate.
Equipment Refinance
Refinance eligible equipment the business already owns to restructure existing obligations or access capital tied up in shop assets.
Explore equipment refinanceSale-Leaseback
Sell eligible equipment to a financing company and lease it back so the business can continue using the assets while releasing capital.
Explore sale-leasebackUse Cases
Common Auto Repair Shop Financing Scenarios
Opening a New Shop
A new location may need several lifts, tire equipment, diagnostics, compressors and supporting equipment before operations begin.
Adding Service Bays
An established shop may finance additional lifts and service equipment when increasing vehicle capacity without using all of its available cash.
Adding Alignment or Tire Services
A general repair shop can finance the equipment required to add alignment, tire or wheel services as a new revenue stream.
Building or Expanding a Collision Centre
Frame equipment, welders, measuring systems, ADAS equipment and a paint booth may be financed as part of a larger collision-repair expansion.
Replacing Outdated Equipment
Financing can help replace aging lifts, diagnostic systems, compressors or other equipment before equipment failure begins disrupting shop operations.
Ontario & Quebec
Financing Auto Repair Equipment in Ontario and Quebec
The basic financing process is similar across Canada, but provincial registrations, documentation and language can affect how a transaction is completed.
Existing Security Interests
When used equipment is being purchased or refinanced, existing registrations against the equipment or seller may need to be identified and discharged. Ontario transactions may involve PPSA registrations, while Quebec uses the RDPRM system for movable-property rights.
Quebec Documentation
Raymond Leigh can work with Quebec businesses in English or French, which can be useful when the shop, equipment vendor and financing documents involve both languages.
Installation and Build-Out Costs
Paint booths, compressors, alignment systems and other installed equipment may involve electrical, ventilation, piping or construction work. Providing a detailed quote that separates equipment from installation and leasehold work helps determine which costs can be included in the financing.
For vendors & dealers
Financing for Automotive Equipment Vendors and Dealers
Automotive equipment vendors often sell more than a single machine. A customer may need a complete package of lifts, tire equipment, alignment systems, diagnostics and installation, turning a straightforward equipment sale into a larger financing decision.
Raymond Leigh gives vendors another route for customers that need financing. One financing process can provide access to 40+ Canadian lenders and financing partners, while Raymond Leigh handles lender matching, financing coordination and the steps required to move an approved transaction toward funding.
Vendors do not need to replace an existing financing relationship to work with Raymond Leigh. We can operate alongside the lender or financing company a dealer already uses and provide another option when a customer, transaction or equipment package does not fit that existing relationship.
Do we have to stop using our existing financing provider?
No. Raymond Leigh can be used alongside existing lender relationships as an additional financing option.
Can Raymond Leigh finance used equipment we sell?
Potentially. Used equipment can be considered based on its age, condition, value, seller documentation and the customer’s overall financing request.
What happens after we refer a customer?
Raymond Leigh reviews the request, identifies appropriate financing partners, coordinates the financing process and keeps the vendor updated on application and funding status.
Why Raymond Leigh
One Financing Process. More Places to Take the Deal.
Raymond Leigh is a Montreal-based equipment finance brokerage helping Canadian businesses access equipment financing and business capital through 40+ Canadian lenders and financing partners. Rather than sending every auto repair transaction to the same lender, we look at the equipment, seller, transaction structure and business to determine which financing routes are more likely to fit, whether the shop is buying one machine or equipping an entire facility.
How It Works
How Auto Repair Equipment Financing Works
The process starts with the equipment and the business, then the financing request is matched with appropriate lenders and financing partners.
Tell Us What You Are Buying
Send the equipment quote or details along with the amount required and basic information about your business.
We Review the Transaction
We look at the equipment, seller, business profile, purchase structure and any installation or related costs that need to be financed.
We Match the File
Raymond Leigh routes the request toward lenders and financing partners that fit the equipment and transaction rather than relying on a single financing source.
Approval, Documents and Funding
Once a financing option is accepted, the remaining documentation is coordinated so the transaction can move toward equipment delivery and funding.
FAQ
Auto Repair Shop Equipment Financing FAQ
Yes. New and eligible used two-post lifts, four-post lifts, scissor lifts, alignment lifts and other commercial vehicle lifting equipment can be considered for financing.
Yes. A financing request can include multiple assets, such as lifts, alignment equipment, tire machines, diagnostic tools and a compressor. Packaging the equipment together can be particularly useful when opening a new location or expanding several service bays at once.
Yes, depending on the equipment and transaction. Lenders may consider the equipment's age, condition, value, manufacturer, seller and remaining useful life, along with the financial profile of the business.
Potentially. Private-sale transactions usually require more documentation than purchases from established equipment dealers. Ownership, equipment details, invoice or purchase agreement, value and any existing security interests may need to be confirmed before funding.
Yes, paint booth equipment can be considered. Because paint booth projects frequently contain installation, ventilation, electrical and building-related costs, a detailed quote is important so the lender can determine which parts of the project qualify for financing.
They may be. Freight, installation, calibration, training and similar costs can sometimes be included when they are directly related to the equipment purchase, although lender treatment varies depending on the transaction.
Potentially. If the business owns eligible equipment with sufficient value, an equipment refinance or sale-leaseback may allow the company to access some of the capital tied up in those assets while continuing to use them.
Raymond Leigh typically works on equipment and business financing requests from $50,000 to $5 million, using a network of 40+ Canadian lenders and financing partners.
Related Financing
Next Step
Financing Equipment for Your Auto Repair Shop?
Tell us what equipment you are buying and how much financing you need, and Raymond Leigh can review the transaction and identify financing options across 40+ Canadian lenders and financing partners.