
Mobile Mechanic Bookkeeping: Van Build-Out vs. Lease, Parts Markup, and Pricing the Trip Charge
A $125 posted labor rate falls to $94 once drive time counts. Price the trip charge by zone, tier parts markup, and claim Section 179 on a 6,000-lb van.
#auto-repair
Auto repair shop bookkeeping, parts inventory, labor costing, and warranty work

A $125 posted labor rate falls to $94 once drive time counts. Price the trip charge by zone, tier parts markup, and claim Section 179 on a 6,000-lb van.

A quick lube earns its margin per car, not per markup. This guide shows how to cost bulk oil by the quart on every delivery, reconcile each tank book-against-stick weekly, book shrinkage and used-oil hauling as separate accounts, and review the five daily KPIs (car count, average ticket, add-ons per 100 cars, bay time, gross profit per car) against industry benchmarks such as 0.95 cars per labor hour, 80 percent gross profit on labor and 50 percent on parts.

A chart-of-accounts and KPI framework for auto repair shops that separates parts and labor profit, tracks effective labor rate against posted door rate, and books comebacks and warranty work as visible costs instead of hidden losses.