Have you wondered what businesses are popular among savvy investors right now? One industry gaining serious traction is property management—offering recurring revenue, scalability, and strong market...
When selling a business, strong financials make all the difference. EBITDA and SDE aren’t just numbers—they determine valuation, deal structure, and buyer confidence. EBITDA shows your business’s...
The SBA's recent implementation of new citizenship regulations in March this year has flown under the radar amidst the buzz surrounding topics like DOGE and tariffs. Nevertheless, these updated rules...
Tariff wars aren’t just a concern for policymakers—they’re reshaping the landscape for small business owners worldwide. Rising costs, disrupted supply chains, and shifting customer expectations pose...
To sell or not to sell? Is that the question you are wondering about your business in such a turbulent economy? Who can time the market? Discover how to prepare your business, attract serious buyers...
Selling a business is more than finding a buyer—it’s about ensuring a smooth transition during due diligence and the take the sale to the finish line. In this blog, we break down the process of due...
In today's dynamic business environment, deal flexibility is crucial. This blog explores two powerful tools: seller financing and earnouts. These strategies help bridge valuation gaps, reduce risks...
When selling a business, one of the most critical decisions is whether to structure the transaction as a stock sale or an asset sale. Each approach comes with distinct implications for both buyers and...
Navigating the legal and compliance aspects of preparing your business for sale might be the most daunting and critical part of the preparation work. Addressing these matters thoroughly before listing...
Auto and Motorcycle Dealership M&A Trends and Insights
The auto and motorcycle dealership industry—especially independent and multi-location operations—is seeing steady M&A activity as consolidation and succession planning become increasingly important. With strong buyer interest, especially in markets with limited new vehicle inventory and growing used vehicle demand, now may be the right time to explore a sale. Accel Business Advisors helps dealership owners navigate this high-stakes process for optimal results.
Why Business Owners Are Selling
Dealership owners often consider selling when approaching retirement, facing OEM compliance challenges, or seeking to capitalize on favorable market multiples. Buyers are actively seeking established operations with strong local reputations, diversified revenue streams (sales, service, parts), and scalable processes. Our team works with owners to structure deals that maximize value and legacy.
Valuation Benchmarks
SDE Multiples: 2.5x–4.0x for single-location dealerships
EBITDA Multiples: 5x–7x for multi-location, brand-diverse, or higher-margin operations
- 🔑 Key Valuation Drivers
- • Strong mix of new, used, service, and F&I income
- • High customer satisfaction and referral rates
- • OEM relationships and compliance history
- • Experienced management and sales team in place
- • Clean, well-maintained facilities and inventory systems
- • Robust DMS or CRM systems supporting operations
- ❌ Common Valuation Detractors
- • High dependency on a single brand or OEM
- • Limited after-sale service or weak F&I performance
- • Compliance issues or OEM audit risks
- • Poor documentation or outdated tech systems
- • Low online reputation or poor customer retention
- 💸 Typical Deal Structures
- • Seller’s note: Seller-financed portion, repaid with interest.
- • Earnout: Performance-based post-sale compensation.
- • Equity rollover: Seller retains partial ownership in the combined entity.
- • SBA loans/bank financing: Common tools for deal funding.
- 🧑💼 Who’s Buying Dealerships?
- • Dealer groups looking to expand geographically or add new brands
- • Private equity-backed roll-ups focused on retail auto/moto
- • Individual buyers with dealership or sales management backgrounds
Contact Us for Free Consultation
Have you wondered what businesses are popular among savvy investors right now? One industry gaining serious traction is property management—offering recurring revenue, scalability, and strong market...
When selling a business, strong financials make all the difference. EBITDA and SDE aren’t just numbers—they determine valuation, deal structure, and buyer confidence. EBITDA shows your business’s...
The SBA's recent implementation of new citizenship regulations in March this year has flown under the radar amidst the buzz surrounding topics like DOGE and tariffs. Nevertheless, these updated rules...
Tariff wars aren’t just a concern for policymakers—they’re reshaping the landscape for small business owners worldwide. Rising costs, disrupted supply chains, and shifting customer expectations pose...
To sell or not to sell? Is that the question you are wondering about your business in such a turbulent economy? Who can time the market? Discover how to prepare your business, attract serious buyers...
Selling a business is more than finding a buyer—it’s about ensuring a smooth transition during due diligence and the take the sale to the finish line. In this blog, we break down the process of due...
In today's dynamic business environment, deal flexibility is crucial. This blog explores two powerful tools: seller financing and earnouts. These strategies help bridge valuation gaps, reduce risks...
When selling a business, one of the most critical decisions is whether to structure the transaction as a stock sale or an asset sale. Each approach comes with distinct implications for both buyers and...
Navigating the legal and compliance aspects of preparing your business for sale might be the most daunting and critical part of the preparation work. Addressing these matters thoroughly before listing...
