How to Make Money Buying a Car Wash Business
Making Money With A Car Wash Business
Owning a car wash business in Australia can be highly profitable, if you do it right.
The industry has experienced a steady annual growth rate of approximately 2.5%. While traditional drive-in car washes still have a place in the market, smart business owners are using innovative strategies to maximise their revenue.
With spare time a precious commodity these days, more and more Aussies are turning to a car wash to keep their cars clean and presentable which is great news for any car wash owner.
A significant shift has occurred in consumer habits, in 1996, 52% of car owners washed their cars at home, while 48% used professional facilities. By 2022, 78% of car owners prefer professional car wash services, with only 22% washing their cars at home.
If you are considering buying a car wash for sale, heres some information to get you started.
How Much Does it Cost to Buy a Car Wash?
The cost of buying a car wash business in Australia varies significantly depending on the location, business model, and facilities. Whether you’re looking for a high-end express tunnel wash, a hand car wash, or a mobile detailing operation, prices can range from as little as $70,000 for a small-scale detailing business to over $1.4 million for a state-of-the-art car wash in a prime location.
If you’re considering buying a car wash, here’s what to expect:
- High-End Express Car Washes – These can cost upwards of $1.4 million, like this Hervey Bay express tunnel car wash. These businesses often come with premium equipment, automated wash tunnels, and high-traffic locations, making them a great investment for long-term profitability.
- Traditional Hand Car Washes – Expect to pay anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000, depending on the size and location. For example, this South West Sydney car wash generates strong weekly takings and has a secure lease in place, making it an attractive mid-range investment.
- Smaller Car Detailing & Wash Businesses – If you're looking for a lower entry point, options like this Traralgon-based detailing business can be found for as little as $70,000. These businesses often have lower overheads and can be run with fewer staff, making them a good choice for owner-operators.
- Mobile or Specialty Detailing Businesses – Some businesses, like this Noosa region detailing business, focus on premium services such as ceramic coating and paint protection, costing around $195,000. These can be highly profitable with a strong customer base and minimal fixed costs.
What Else Impacts the Price?
When buying a car wash, price is just one factor. You’ll also need to consider:
- Lease agreements – A long-term secure lease can add significant value to a car wash business.
- Equipment and condition – Fully equipped businesses with automated systems or detailing tools can reduce the need for additional investment.
- Location and traffic – High-traffic areas, particularly near shopping centres or major roads, tend to command higher prices but also offer greater revenue potential.
- Business model – Express tunnel washes and full-service hand washes typically require more investment than mobile detailing operations but can generate higher profits.
The best approach is to compare available car washes for sale and evaluate their financial performance, lease terms, and growth potential before making a decision.
3 Ways to Make a Car Wash More Profitable
1. Memberships and Subscription Packages
One of the most effective ways to generate steady revenue is by offering memberships or subscription packages. This model provides customers with unlimited or discounted washes for a monthly or yearly fee, ensuring repeat business and predictable income.
A basic membership could offer unlimited exterior washes for a lower monthly price, while a premium memberships could include interior cleaning for slightly more.
Use a membership management system like Carwash Solutions to handle sign-ups, payments, and renewals seamlessly.
2. Introduce Mobile Car Wash and Detailing Services
Convenience is king! Offering a mobile car wash service allows you to reach customers at their homes or workplaces. This is especially useful for corporate clients, fleet owners, and busy professionals.
In addition to standard washes, mobile car detailing services can significantly boost your profits by offering high-end cleaning and restoration services. Car detailing includes deep interior cleaning, paint correction, waxing, and ceramic coating.
By offering both mobile car washes and detailing, you can expand your customer base and cater to a broader range of needs, including the much sought after corporate client.
3. Partner with Local Businesses
Collaborating with nearby businesses can be a great way to attract new customers. Car dealerships and rental companies especially, will need to keep their fleet clean and offering bulk pricing ensures steady, recurring revenue.
Many dealerships prefer outsourcing car washes to save time and maintain a pristine vehicle presentation for customers, while rental companies also benefit from regular detailing services to keep their vehicles in top condition.
Get Ready to Buy a Car Wash
Before purchasing a car wash business, conducting thorough due diligence is crucial to ensure you’re making a sound investment.
When evaluating a car wash business for purchase, reviewing its financial records is essential—examining profit and loss statements, tax returns, and revenue reports from the past three years will give you a clear picture of profitability.
The condition of the equipment also plays a significant role, as maintenance or replacement costs for washing systems, water recycling units, and payment kiosks can add up. If the business operates on leased land, carefully reviewing the lease terms, renewal options, and rental costs will help prevent unexpected expenses.
Understanding the customer base and competition is crucial - assessing foot traffic, existing customer loyalty, and nearby competitors will indicate the business’s potential. Locations near shopping centres or high-traffic areas often perform better due to increased visibility.
Compliance with environmental regulations is another key factor, as Australian laws on water usage, chemical disposal, and sustainability initiatives must be met. Lastly, reviewing staffing and training programs is important to ensure smooth operations post-purchase, particularly if employees are an integral part of daily business activities.
Ensuring your car wash runs efficiently is key to increasing profitability. Before buying a car wash, assess its business systems and processes to identify areas for improvement.
Check Out These Car Washes for Sale Across Australia
1. Express Tunnel Car Wash with High-Traffic Location in Hervey Bay
Price: $1,450,000
An exciting opportunity to own a state-of-the-art express tunnel car wash in Hervey Bay, QLD, set to be fully operational by late 2025. Located in a high-traffic retail precinct alongside blue-chip tenants, this business features a 25m wash tunnel, free vacuum stations, and advanced equipment for maximum efficiency. With Hervey Bay experiencing rapid growth and over $1 billion in approved infrastructure projects, this turnkey investment offers strong future potential.
2. Independent Hand Car Wash in Prime South/Eastern Location Melbourne
Price: POA
This well-established hand car wash operates in a high-traffic car park next to a busy shopping centre, generating $8,000 in weekly takings. Spanning 200sqm, the business has a secure lease, low overheads, and no direct competition in the area. With a strong customer base and semi-managed operations, this is a highly profitable opportunity for a first-time business owner or investor.
3. Car Wash Business with Strong Profits in South West Sydney
Price: $250,000 + Stock
Established in 2017, this well-positioned car wash spans 600m² and includes three wash bays and two vacuum bays, with ample parking for customers. The business generates $10,500 in weekly takings, washing approximately 200-250 cars per week at an average of $50-$70 per wash. A café sublease reduces rent, and there is strong potential to grow sales through social media marketing and partnerships with nearby businesses. With a secure lease until 2030 and a net profit of $3,100 per week for an owner-operator, this is a fantastic investment opportunity.
4. Car Detailing and Car Wash Business in Traralgon, VIC
Price: $70,000 Negotiable
Located in Traralgon Centre Plaza, this well-established car detailing and wash business benefits from high foot traffic and a strong client base, including local car yards and businesses. The premises feature a 45m² office and a 310m² workshop, fully equipped and ready for operation. With minimal advertising required, the business enjoys steady exposure through the Plaza’s marketing efforts. There is significant growth potential, with ongoing work from a major car dealer and interest from additional local dealerships. The current owner is willing to stay on for up to two months to assist with the transition.
5. Profitable Car Wash & Detailing Business in Noosa Region, QLD
Price: $195,000
This well-established car detailing business is a leader in the industry, offering high-demand services such as ceramic coating, paint protection film, and premium car care. Conveniently located near Noosa with excellent street frontage, the business enjoys a strong customer base and a thriving online presence, including top Google rankings and active social media engagement. Operated by a sole proprietor, it presents significant growth potential with the opportunity to expand operations. This is a fantastic chance to step into a profitable business with a strong reputation and room for further success.
Tags: listicle buying small business
About the author
Catherine Mangana
Customer Support
Catherine enjoys generating articles that highlight some of the opportunities that are now available for purchase on Bsale. She hails from a family of ...
