Self-Serve Car Wash Equipment Pricing Guide
Self-serve car washes have thousands of individual components, and the secondary market for these parts is active. Whether you are upgrading a bay, sourcing replacement parts, or selling equipment from a location you are closing, this guide covers fair market values for the most commonly traded self-serve equipment.
Quick Summary
Individual self-serve components range from $50 for a coin acceptor to $5,000 for a complete pump station. Credit card-capable meter boxes and stainless steel hardware command the highest premiums. Complete bay packages (everything needed to outfit one bay) typically sell for $5,000–$15,000 depending on equipment age and payment capabilities.
Meter Boxes and Timers
The customer interface for self-serve bays. Modern meter boxes accept coins, tokens, bills, and credit cards. Older coin-only boxes trade at lower prices.
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Coin/Token Meter Box (basic) | $300 – $800 |
| Bill Acceptor Meter Box | $500 – $1,500 |
| Credit Card Meter Box (e.g., Unitec, CryptoPay) | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Digital Timer/Controller | $200 – $600 |
| Token Dispensing Machine | $500 – $2,000 |
Booms and Swivels
The overhead delivery system that routes hoses and wands to the customer. Stainless steel booms hold value better than aluminum or painted steel.
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Single-Arm Boom (aluminum) | $300 – $700 |
| Single-Arm Boom (stainless steel) | $500 – $1,200 |
| Dual-Arm / Z-Boom | $600 – $1,500 |
| Swivel Assembly | $100 – $400 |
Brushes and Foamers
Customer-facing wash brushes and foam applicators. These are wear items with limited lifespans, so used pricing reflects remaining brush life.
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Hog Hair Brush (new stock) | $80 – $200 |
| Foam Brush Assembly (complete) | $200 – $500 |
| Brush Holder / Wand Assembly | $100 – $300 |
Pressure Washers and Pumps
High-pressure pumps are the workhorse of any self-serve bay. Pump condition and hours are the primary value drivers.
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Cat Pump (rebuilt/used) | $500 – $2,000 |
| General Pump (rebuilt/used) | $400 – $1,500 |
| Complete Pump Station (motor + pump) | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| HP Hose and Wand Set | $100 – $400 |
Coin Mechanisms and Bill Acceptors
The payment acceptance hardware inside meter boxes. These are commonly traded as replacement parts.
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Coin Acceptor (single denomination) | $50 – $200 |
| Multi-Coin Acceptor | $100 – $400 |
| Bill Acceptor (Mars/MEI) | $200 – $600 |
| Token Set (1,000 tokens) | $100 – $300 |
Chemical Systems and Tanks
Chemical delivery systems including proportioners, tanks, and injection pumps. Working chemical systems add significant value to a self-serve bay package.
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Chemical Proportioner | $300 – $1,000 |
| Chemical Tank (30-50 gal) | $100 – $400 |
| Injection Pump (Stenner/LMI) | $150 – $500 |
| Complete Chemical System (bay) | $1,000 – $3,000 |
What Drives Self-Serve Equipment Value?
Payment Method Support
Equipment that accepts credit cards is worth significantly more than coin-only hardware. The industry is shifting toward cashless, and operators upgrading their bays are the primary buyers of used payment-capable equipment.
Material and Construction
Stainless steel components (booms, cabinets, panels) hold value better than painted steel or aluminum. Stainless resists corrosion in the wet, chemical-rich car wash environment and has a longer service life.
Completeness of Package
A complete bay package (meter box, boom, brushes, chemical system, pump station) is worth more than the sum of its parts. Buyers prefer turnkey solutions that minimize sourcing effort.
Manufacturer and Parts Availability
Equipment from well-known manufacturers with active parts distribution (Cat Pumps, JE Adams, CryptoPay) trades at a premium. Generic or white-label equipment is harder to maintain and less desirable on the secondary market.
Market Insight
While tunnel and express exterior washes get the most industry attention, self-serve locations remain the most common wash type in the U.S. by count. Many self-serve operators are investing in credit card upgrades to capture the growing cashless consumer base, driving demand for payment-capable meter boxes and CryptoPay add-ons.
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