2025 Benchmark Report Part 1: Biggest Changes, Key KPI's and Trends [E175]

Business By The Numbers

Thanks to our partner Promotive

Welcome to Part 1 of our annual Benchmark Report—hosted by Hunt Demarest, CPA, from Paar Melis & Associates. We dig into real financial data from hundreds of auto repair shops across the U.S., based on actual bookkeeping, not surveys.

Download your free 2024 Automotive Industry Benchmark Report: https://info.paarmelis.com/2024-automotive-industry-benchmark-report

Key Takeaways:

• Average monthly sales dropped from $149K (2023) to $123K (2024), but sales per advisor, technician, and bay remained steady.
• Gross profit % increased (from 51 % → 52 %), and overall expenses dropped (35 % → 33 %), boosting shop profitability.
• Advertising spend fell (3 % → 2 % of sales): shops that advertise less might be missing opportunities.
• Productivity plunged (57 % → 47.6 %)—likely due to fixed staff levels & fewer cars in 2024.
• Context matters: metrics like average repair order, car count, and productivity are interconnected—local benchmarks offer more accurate insight.

Thanks to our partner Promotive

It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.

Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair

Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com

Email Hunt: [email protected]

Text Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413

Download a Copy of My Books Here:

• Wrenches to Write-Offs
• Your Perfect Shop

The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto https://remarkableresults.biz/

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/