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Best POS Systems for Auto Repair Shops

Auto repair shops need POS systems that handle work orders, parts inventory, and labor tracking. The right system creates professional estimates, tracks parts markup, and processes payments when repairs are complete.

Common Challenges

Work order management
Parts inventory and markup
Labor time tracking
Estimate to invoice workflow
Customer vehicle history
Parts ordering integration
Warranty tracking

Must-Have Features

  • Work order/estimate creation
  • Parts inventory with cost tracking
  • Labor rate management
  • Customer vehicle records
  • Invoice from work order
  • Card processing

Nice-to-Have Features

  • Parts supplier integration
  • VIN lookup
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Text notifications to customers
  • Digital vehicle inspection

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use auto shop software or a general POS?

Dedicated auto shop software (like Mitchell, Shop-Ware) handles estimates and work orders better. Use their integrated payments or connect a POS for payment processing only. General POS works for simple operations.

How do I handle parts markup in a POS?

Most POS systems support cost vs. retail pricing. Enter your cost, set markup percentage, and the system calculates retail. Track margins by category (parts vs. labor) in reports.

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