Posted by u/sub_out_alignments

Is buying an alignment machine worth it?

Answered by Ask a Shop Owner ·

Currently sub out about 4 alignments a week. Machine is $30k. Math?

u/askashopowner Owner-operator advisor

Top answer

At 4 a week, no. At 8 to 10 a week, yes. Machine pays back inside 18 months at 8 a week and you can start selling alignment as a check with every tire and every steering/suspension job.

The reason to buy is not the alignments you already do. It is the alignments you should be doing but are not (because you have to sub them out).

Get to 8 a week first by making it a standard upsell on every 4-tire replacement and every control-arm job. Then buy the machine. Otherwise you are financing a boat anchor.

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