Garages and repair shops
Workshops that need diagnostic equipment, lifts, tooling or parts stock to service and repair vehicles for customers.
Automotive business loan for motor trade SMEs
An automotive business loan can help garages, car dealerships and motor trade operators fund stock, workshop tools and fit-outs as one use of unsecured SME funding. SimplyFunded reviews these costs as part of its unsecured business loan, not a separate secured asset finance product.
Am I eligible?
You probably are, you just need:
- An active ABN or ACN
- 6+ months in business
- $5,000+ in monthly revenue
What an automotive business loan covers
An automotive business loan is not a separate secured product. For garages, dealerships and motor trade operators, it can be one use of an unsecured business loan, where the funds help cover sector-specific costs without offering property as security.
The vehicle trade has specific cash flow needs. A garage may need diagnostic equipment, ramps, workshop tools or parts stock between repair jobs. A dealership may need vehicle stock before resale or showroom improvements before peak trading.
SimplyFunded's core offer is unsecured business funding for SMEs, and automotive costs can be one possible use case. This page is an educational guide for the sector, not a dedicated car finance or asset finance product.
Requests are assessed on the same SME criteria: at least 6 months trading, minimum AUD $5,000 monthly revenue, clear business purpose and repayment capacity.
Before applying, compare the funding purpose with the basic business loan questions and make sure the amount requested is tied to a practical business outcome.
Key loan details
Use these details as a quick fit check before starting an application.
Requirement
Criteria
Notes
Requirement
Loan amount
Criteria
AUD $5,000 to $200,000
Notes
Subject to assessment
Requirement
Limited company trading history
Criteria
Minimum 6 months
Notes
Australian product criteria
Requirement
Sole trader trading history
Criteria
Minimum 6 months
Notes
Australian product criteria
Requirement
Minimum monthly revenue
Criteria
AUD $5,000
Notes
Recent trading revenue
Requirement
Common uses
Criteria
Cash flow, stock, wages, tax bills, equipment, marketing and growth
Notes
Business purposes only
Who Unsecured funding for automotive businesses suit
Car dealerships
Dealers that need vehicle stock, showroom improvements or working capital between purchase and resale.
Motor trade operators
Motor factors, parts suppliers and vehicle-related businesses that carry inventory and support trade customers.
How assessment works
Approval depends on lender assessment. These are the practical points that usually matter.
Trading and revenue history
SimplyFunded checks for at least 6 months trading and AUD $5,000 monthly revenue before assessing automotive funding fit.
Vehicle-related purpose
A clear explanation of how the funding supports garage, dealership or motor trade income makes the request easier to assess.
Affordability and stock cycle
Repayments must fit ordinary revenue, including the timing of vehicle stock turns and customer payment cycles.
Benefits and trade-offs
Funding vehicle stock preserves working capital but adds a repayment commitment across the sales cycle.
A newer diagnostic or workshop asset may cost more upfront but reduce downtime and service errors.
The amount should match a specific stock or equipment need rather than the maximum the business qualifies for.
Before you apply
The first question is whether the cost is tied to a clear automotive business purpose, such as workshop throughput, vehicle stock or showroom fit-out. A specific reason makes the funding request easier to assess.
Choose amounts that fit the trading cycle. Repairs, stock turns and seasonal sales all affect when revenue arrives, so the repayment should not create pressure during a quieter month.
Comparing total costs is useful. Better workshop equipment or faster-moving vehicle stock may pay for itself, but only if the repayment fits normal cash flow.
If the business already has vehicle finance, supplier credit or ATO commitments, include them in the affordability check so the new funding does not crowd out other expenses.
A short written summary of the intended use, expected timing and how the cost supports income can strengthen the application and speed up the review.
Practical business examples
Workshop equipment upgrade
A garage needs AUD $28,000 for diagnostic equipment and ramps to take on higher-value repair work.
Dealership vehicle stock
A dealership needs AUD $55,000 to top up vehicle stock before a seasonal sales period.
Parts and fit-out costs
A motor factor needs AUD $20,000 for parts inventory and a small showroom refresh to serve trade customers faster.
Related funding options
commercial vehicle financebusiness car loantruck fundingworkshop equipment fundingunsecured fundingbusiness loan rates
Compare business loan rates, check business loan requirements or learn how to get a business loan before applying. You can also review business loan FAQs or speak with the team through the contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
It may be possible where the equipment supports repair or servicing income and the request fits the usual SME assessment criteria. This page is a guide, not a dedicated asset finance product.