I get hot under the collar when independent automotive repair service businesses are called mom-and-pop. The term "mom-and-pop shop" often conjures images of a small business with minimal sophistication—perhaps a cramped garage with a few basic tools and well-worn equipment. Or a small little neighborhood grocery store (nothing wrong with that). While this might have been an accurate description of auto repair shops decades ago, it couldn't be further from the reality of professional automotive repair facilities today. Yet, we still hear the term applied to our industry.
The Modern Auto Shop Investment. Nothing small about this.
Walking into a professional automotive repair facility in 2025 is more akin to entering a high-tech diagnostic center than a traditional garage. The initial investment required to open and operate a modern auto repair business can easily exceed $1 million when accounting for (my best guess):
- Diagnostic computers and software subscriptions ($5,000-15,000 per manufacturer)
- Specialty tools and equipment ($100,000+)
- Vehicle lifts ($5,000-15,000 each)
- Facility requirements and environmental compliance systems
- Ongoing training and certifications
- Advanced alignment equipment ($50,000+)
- Electric vehicle service equipment ($25,000+)
- Facility improvements/upgrades
- Loaner fleet
Technical Expertise in the Digital Age (Nothing Mom-and-Pop About This)
Today's vehicles are essentially computers on wheels. A typical modern car contains:
- 50+ individual computer modules
- More than 100 million lines of code (more than a commercial airliner)
- Multiple interconnected networks
- Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
- Complex hybrid and electric powertrains
Our Specialists Must Understand Not Just Mechanical Systems But Also:
- Computer diagnostics and programming
- Network protocols and communication systems
- Advanced electronics and electrical systems
- High-voltage safety procedures
- Calibration of safety systems and sensors
Continuous Education and Certification or Credentialing
Top professional automotive specialists keep themselves into a continuous education cycle throughout their careers. Many hold multiple certifications from:
- Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
- Individual vehicle manufacturers
- State and federal regulatory bodies (depending on the state)
A highly experienced specialist typically has 5-10 years of experience and thousands of hours of training. Many shops invest $5,000-10,000 annually in continuing education, depending on the number of specialists on their team. Without this, you will slowly become a mom-and-pop operation!
Modern repair facilities operate with:
- Complex management systems
- Digital vehicle inspection processes
- Cybersecurity protocols
- Quality control procedures
- Advanced scheduling and customer communication systems
- Detailed documentation requirements
- Extensive insurance and liability coverage
- Environmental compliance programs
Investment in the Client Experience (Nothing Mom-and-Pop about this)
Professional shops invest heavily in:
- Digital communication platforms
- Client service training
- Comfortable waiting areas
- Shuttle services
- Rental car partnerships
- Extended warranties
- Quality assurance programs
Moving Forward
The "mom-and-pop shop" stereotype does a disservice to the professional automotive repair industry. You’ve heard me say this in the past when I heard a college instructor reference the independent vs. the dealer as mom-and-pop. I had to immediately correct it. These are sophisticated businesses requiring massive capital investment, extensive technical expertise, and continuous adaptation to rapidly evolving technology.
The next time you hear anyone say that our independent industry is just a mom-and-pop operation, speak to them about what you know to be a very sophisticated business and industry. And that the specialists, education, diagnostic equipment, and sophisticated repair procedures to maintain and repair some of the most complex machines on the planet is how we do what we do.
One sad reality is that some struggling shop owners (hobbyists) are open to the public, which gives the impression of being a mom-and-pop. It’s time to grow up. We’ve evolved far beyond the simplistic "mom and pop" image. It's time for society’s perception and pride in our essential business to evolve. Share this with anyone to help set the record straight.
