Auto Body Shop Valuation
Auto Body Business Valuation Calculator & Exit Planning Built for Shop Owners
We built one platform that tracks your auto body business's value monthly, identifies exit gaps early, and ensures your personal finances align with your exit timeline.
1,000+ Businesses have joined YourExitValue.com
Most Auto Body Owners Have No Idea What Their Business is Actually Worth
Current Auto Body Valuation Multiples (2026)
Auto Body values are strong due to increased buyer demand from collision consolidators like Caliber and Service King. Here's what companies sell for:
Every business is different. That's why you need to track your value.
Included in Your Exit Value is a complete Exit Planning Assessment where you track your progress quarterly against your results from the previous quarter.
Know your number and watch it grow
Most business owners guess at their value. You'll know it with precision.
Our platform uses six proven valuation methodologies to give you a complete picture of what your business is worth today—and tracks how that number changes month over month. No more waiting for annual appraisals or paying $15K+ for outdated reports.
See your trends. Spot opportunities. Make informed decisions
What Actually Drives Auto Body Business Value
Revenue and earnings are the two most influential factors in your auto body business's valuation. But not all companies are valued equally. Here are the factors that move your number up—or down:
DRP Relationships
3+ Insurance DRPs
Direct Repair Program relationships provide consistent work flow. DRP insurance relationships are extremely valuable because they transfer with the business and provide steady, pre-qualified work.
No DRPs = unpredictable revenue
OEM Certifications
2+ OEM Certs
OEM certifications for Tesla, Rivian, and luxury brands command premiums. These certifications are expensive and difficult to obtain—they create a competitive moat and higher-margin work.
No certs = losing modern repairs
Owner Presence
Manager-Run
Owner should estimate and manage, not paint or do bodywork. Buyers want owners focused on insurance relationships, estimates, and customer management—not in the paint booth.
Owner-dependent = doesn't sell well
Cycle Time
Under 7 Days
Cycle time under 5 days shows operational efficiency. Insurance companies track cycle time closely—fast turns mean more DRP referrals and better relationships with adjusters.
Slow shops lose insurance work
CSI Scores
95%+ Satisfaction
ADAS calibration and aluminum repair capabilities are increasingly required. Modern vehicles require specialized equipment and training—shops without these capabilities will lose work as the car parc evolves.
Low CSI = shrinking DRP volume
ADAS Capability
Full Calibration
Clean CSI scores with insurers directly impact work assignments. Customer Satisfaction Index scores determine DRP tier status and referral volume—high scores are a competitive advantage that transfers.
No ADAS = sublet profits
How to Value an Auto Body Shop
The U.S. collision repair industry includes over 30,000 auto body shops generating approximately $50 billion in annual revenue. Auto body shops have a unique valuation dynamic driven by insurance relationships and certifications. Here's how to value an auto body shop using three proven approaches.
Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) is the primary method for valuing collision repair businesses. SDE normalizes financials by adding back owner pay, benefits, and non-recurring costs. Auto body shops typically sell for 2.0x to 4.0x SDE. Shops at the higher end have multiple DRP (Direct Repair Program) relationships with major insurers, OEM certifications, and a trained team of body technicians and painters.
Revenue multiples for auto body shops generally range from 0.30x to 0.55x annual revenue. Shops with high cycle times, strong CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) scores, and consistent throughput achieve the upper end.
The defining valuation factor for auto body shops is insurance DRP relationships and OEM certifications. DRP agreements provide a predictable flow of referrals from insurance companies — essentially guaranteed volume. OEM certifications (Tesla, BMW, Mercedes, etc.) require significant investment in equipment and training but create barriers to entry and command higher labor rates. A shop with 5+ DRP relationships and multiple OEM certifications is exponentially more valuable than an uncertified shop relying on walk-in traffic.
The collision repair industry is experiencing significant consolidation, with players like Caliber, Service King, and Crash Champions acquiring independent shops at premium valuations. This consolidation trend, combined with the increasing complexity of modern vehicle repair (ADAS calibration, aluminum body work, EV-specific repairs), has driven valuations higher for technically capable shops. Use our free calculator above to get your instant estimate, then track your value monthly with YourExitValue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What multiple do auto body businesses sell for?
Most auto body businesses sell for 1.5x – 2.5x SDE or 0.25x – 0.45x annual revenue. However, the range is wide. Companies with strong drp relationships can command significantly higher multiples. YourExitValue tracks exactly where you fall on each value driver.
How does drp relationships affect my company's value?
DRP Relationships is one of the biggest value drivers for auto body businesses. Collision consolidators like caliber and service king specifically look for companies with strong performance here. Improving this metric can significantly increase your multiple.
How long before selling should I start tracking my auto body business value?
Ideally 1 to 5 years before your target exit. This gives you time to improve your drp relationships, reduce owner dependence, strengthen your team, and document growth trends buyers pay premium prices for.
Who buys auto body businesses?
Common buyers include collision consolidators like Caliber and Service King, as well as individual buyers looking to own a business and strategic acquirers. Each buyer type values different aspects. YourExitValue helps you understand what each looks for.
What valuation method is used for auto body businesses?
Most auto body businesses are valued using SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings) multiples for smaller companies under $1M in earnings, and EBITDA multiples for larger companies. Revenue multiples (0.25x – 0.45x) are sometimes used as quick reference.
What's the fastest way to increase my auto body business value?
The fastest improvements typically come from: 1) Improving your drp relationships to hit the target, 2) Reducing owner dependence, 3) Documenting your systems and processes, and 4) Cleaning up financials. Most owners add 20-40% in 12-24 months.