NAICS 811111 Quarterly Industry Report
General Automotive Repair
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 811111Sector: Other Services (except Public Administration) (81)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for General Automotive Repair (NAICS 811111) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[6], Bureau of Labor Statistics[7], and SBA size standards database[8]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, automotive industry analysts, and repair shop investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the general automotive repair industry.
NAICS Sector
81
Other Services (except Public Administration)
Industry Definition & Overview
General Automotive Repair (NAICS 811111) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing a wide range of mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance services for automotive vehicles per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Activities include engine repair, transmission work, brake service, exhaust system repair, steering and suspension work, air conditioning service, and general diagnostic testing. These shops typically service a broad range of vehicle systems rather than specializing in a single type of repair.
Over 160,000 general automotive repair establishments operate across the United States per Census Bureau[6] economic survey data, generating combined revenue exceeding $75 billion annually. Independent repair shops range from single-bay owner-operated garages to multi-location franchise operations. The industry serves both consumer and commercial vehicle markets, with shops competing against new car dealership service departments and national chains. Increasing vehicle complexity driven by advanced driver assistance systems, hybrid powertrains, and electronic control modules has raised the technical skill requirements for repair technicians. Average hourly wages for automotive service technicians and mechanics reached $24.80 per Bureau of Labor Statistics[7] occupational data.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[8], the size standard is $9 million in average annual receipts. State-level licensing requirements vary, with many states mandating facility registration, technician certification through ASE (Automotive Service Excellence), and compliance with EPA[9] clean air regulations for refrigerant handling under Section 608 and 609 of the Clean Air Act.
What's Included in This Industry
- Engine diagnostics, repair, and overhaul services
- Transmission repair and rebuild services
- Brake system inspection, repair, and replacement
- Exhaust system and catalytic converter service
- Steering and suspension repair and alignment
- Heating and air conditioning system service
- Electrical system diagnostics and repair
- Fuel system and fuel injection service
- Cooling system repair and radiator service
- State safety and emissions inspection services
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 81 |
| Subsector | Repair and Maintenance | 811 |
| Industry Group | Automotive Repair and Maintenance | 8111 |
| NAICS Industry | Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair and Maintenance | 81111 |
| National Industry | General Automotive Repair | 811111 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 811114 | Specialized Automotive Repair | Specialized Automotive Repair covers single-system specialists including transmission shops, muffler shops, and brake service centers that compete with general repair shops for specific repair categories, with customer choice between general and specialized shops driven by repair complexity and pricing |
| 811121 | Automotive Body, Paint, and Interior Repair and Maintenance | Automotive Body, Paint, and Interior Repair and Maintenance handles collision damage restoration that general repair shops typically do not perform, with body shops receiving referrals from general repair facilities when accident damage extends beyond mechanical components |
| 811191 | Automotive Oil Change and Lubrication Shops | Automotive Oil Change and Lubrication Shops provides quick-service maintenance that competes with general repair shop oil change and fluid service offerings, with quick-lube operations capturing price-sensitive customers through convenience and speed advantages |
| 441110 | New Car Dealers | New Car Dealers operate service departments that compete directly with independent general repair shops for warranty, maintenance, and repair work on newer vehicles, with dealership service pricing and OEM diagnostic tool access influencing customer repair location decisions |
| 423110 | Automobile and Other Motor Vehicle Merchant Wholesalers | Automobile and Other Motor Vehicle Merchant Wholesalers distributes vehicles through wholesale channels that create the installed vehicle base requiring ongoing repair and maintenance services from general automotive repair establishments |
| 423120 | Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers | Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers supplies replacement parts, filters, fluids, and components to general repair shops through wholesale distribution networks, with parts availability and pricing affecting repair shop profitability and service turnaround time |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 11.5% | 9,705 |
| 2 | Texas | 7.3% | 6,152 |
| 3 | New York | 6.4% | 5,346 |
| 4 | Florida | 6.0% | 5,092 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 5.4% | 4,527 |
| 6 | Illinois | 4.7% | 3,923 |
| 7 | Ohio | 3.5% | 2,916 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 3.3% | 2,763 |
| 9 | Michigan | 3.0% | 2,525 |
| 10 | New Jersey | 2.9% | 2,470 |
% Of Establishments
0%
12%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
9,992
Total SBA Loans
$4.6B
Total Loan Volume
$459K
Average Loan Size
13 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.24%
Average Interest Rate
66,472
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[8], General Automotive Repair (NAICS 811111) has a size standard of $9 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[10] support shop equipment, diagnostic tools, and working capital for qualifying automotive repair businesses. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[11] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[12] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 1,592 | $545.0M | $342K |
| 2 | Live Oak Banking Company | 528 | $532.0M | $1.0M |
| 3 | Harvest Small Business Finance, LLC | 192 | $204.4M | $1.1M |
| 4 | The Huntington National Bank | 520 | $184.5M | $355K |
| 5 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 688 | $169.0M | $246K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for auto repair shops?
NAICS 811111 covers general automotive repair shops providing mechanical and electrical repair across multiple vehicle systems per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Specialized single-system shops are classified under NAICS 811114.
How many auto repair shops are in the U.S.?
Over 160,000 general automotive repair establishments operate nationwide per Census Bureau[6] economic survey data, ranging from single-bay independent garages to multi-location franchise operations generating combined industry revenue exceeding $75 billion.
What is the SBA size standard for auto repair?
Per the SBA size standard[8], the threshold is $9 million in average annual receipts for federal small business contracting eligibility and SBA lending products available to general automotive repair shops.
What certifications do auto mechanics need?
ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification is the industry-recognized credential for automotive technicians, with testing covering engine repair, brakes, electrical systems, and other specialty areas. State requirements for technician licensing vary by jurisdiction.
What is the average wage for auto mechanics?
Average hourly wages for automotive service technicians and mechanics reached $24.80 per Bureau of Labor Statistics[7] occupational data, with experienced technicians at dealerships and specialized shops earning higher rates.
How do independent shops compete with dealerships?
Independent general repair shops compete on pricing, convenience, and personal service for out-of-warranty vehicles. Dealership service departments retain advantages for warranty work, manufacturer recalls, and OEM diagnostic tool access on newer vehicle models.
What environmental regulations affect auto shops?
EPA[9] Section 608 and 609 of the Clean Air Act regulate refrigerant handling for automotive air conditioning service. Used oil, antifreeze, and battery disposal fall under state environmental regulations requiring proper recycling and waste management procedures.
How has vehicle technology changed auto repair?
Advanced driver assistance systems, hybrid and electric powertrains, and increasingly complex electronic control modules have raised technical skill requirements for repair technicians. Shops must invest in updated diagnostic scan tools and ongoing technician training to service modern vehicles.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [7]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [8]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [9]EPA epa.gov
- [10]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]504 loans sba.gov
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