Auto Repair & Dealerships

Auto repair and automotive businesses process some of the highest average tickets in retail — a single repair can easily range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. When a customer's transmission fails or their engine needs major work, the bill can exceed five or even ten thousand dollars. Many customers face these expenses unexpectedly and simply cannot pay the full amount upfront. Without a way to finance the repair, they may decline necessary work, go to a competitor who offers payment plans, or dispute the charge later.

Unison Payment Solutions provides auto shop-optimized payment processing that addresses these challenges head-on. Our consumer financing program lets customers apply for payment plans ranging from 3 to 60 months, with approvals in as little as 2 minutes. The customer selects their preferred plan, you begin the repair, and you receive the full payment amount within 2 to 3 business days. Shops that offer financing see 30 to 50 percent higher average repair orders because customers can approve the complete recommended service instead of choosing only the cheapest fix.

Our digital estimate and approval workflow eliminates phone tag and speeds up the repair authorization process. When your service advisor completes the inspection, they send a detailed estimate to the customer via text message. The customer reviews the itemized estimate — parts, labor, shop supplies — and approves the work with a single tap. They can even pay a deposit right from the text message. This digital workflow reduces the time between diagnosis and authorization from hours (or days) to minutes, keeping your bays productive and your revenue flowing.

For shops that service fleet accounts, commercial vehicles, or B2B customers, Unison supports Level 2 and Level 3 data processing. These enhanced data submissions qualify commercial, purchasing, and fleet card transactions for lower interchange rates — often saving 0.5% to 1.0% per transaction compared to standard processing. If you service government vehicles, rental fleets, or corporate accounts, Level 2/3 processing can save your shop thousands of dollars per year.

We integrate with the shop management software your business already relies on, including Mitchell 1 ProDemand, Shop-Ware, Tekmetric, R.O. Writer, and others. Payment data syncs automatically between our system and your shop management platform, eliminating manual data entry, reducing accounting errors, and giving you a single view of your shop's financial performance. Track repair orders, parts costs, labor charges, and payment status all from one dashboard.

Our cash discount program is especially popular with auto repair shops operating on tight margins. Instead of absorbing 2 to 3 percent processing fees on high-ticket repairs — which can mean $60 to $150 on a single job — the program applies a compliant service fee to card transactions and offers a discount for cash or check payments. Many auto shops save $10,000 or more per year with this program, and customers appreciate the transparency of seeing both prices clearly displayed.

Getting started is quick and easy. The entire application takes less than 10 minutes.

What You Need to Apply

• Basic business details (name, address, EIN)
• Recent processing statement (if switching providers)
• Voided check for deposit setup

Approval Timeline

Most businesses get approved within 24–48 hours. No hard credit pull. No obligation. Our team matches you with the right bank and setup for your business.

Setup & Onboarding

Once approved, we configure your terminal or gateway with your settings:

• Tax rates and tip options
• Receipt branding and employee access
• Software integrations
• Free training for your team

Transparent Pricing

We use interchange-plus pricing. You pay the wholesale rate plus a small markup. No hidden fees. No long-term contracts. No early termination penalties.

Your dedicated account manager monitors your account. They help optimize your setup and are always a call away.

Processing fees rank among the top business expenses — right behind rent and payroll. Most owners don't realize they're overpaying.

See What You're Really Paying

Flat-rate and tiered pricing hide the real costs. Interchange fees, assessment fees, and markup get bundled together. You can't tell what goes to the card networks versus your processor.

Interchange-plus pricing separates these costs. You see the wholesale rate on every transaction plus a clear markup. No guessing.

Real Savings Examples

• Processing $30K/month? A 0.5% rate cut saves $1,800/year
• Typical savings when switching: 20–40% of total fees
• Annual savings often reach $3,000–$10,000+

Eliminate Fees Entirely

Our cash discount program lets you pass processing costs to card users. Cash customers get a discount. Card customers pay the listed price. It's legal in all 50 states.

• Configured on your terminal by our team
• No ongoing management needed
• Redirect savings into payroll, marketing, or growth

The right POS system speeds up checkout, cuts admin time, and gives you real business insights. We carry the top brands.

Clover POS

• Options from mobile (Clover Go) to full station (Clover Station)
• App marketplace for loyalty, inventory, scheduling, and more
• Cloud dashboard — manage sales and reports from anywhere

PAX Technology

• Reliable, fast, and affordable
• PAX A920 and A920Pro — Android-based smart terminals
• Great for businesses that want a solid terminal without a full POS overhead

Dejavoo

• Compact, durable, and fast
• Handles high-volume periods without slowing down
• Supports chip, tap, and swipe payments

Not Sure Which to Pick?

Our team reviews your volume, workflow, features, and budget. We recommend the best fit. Every terminal ships pre-configured with free setup and training. Browse all POS systems →

Most auto repair & dealerships business owners lose money on payment processing because of avoidable mistakes. Here are the most common ones we see and how to fix them.

Staying on Flat-Rate Pricing Too Long

Flat-rate processors like Square and Stripe charge a single rate on every transaction, typically 2.6 percent plus 10 cents for card-present transactions. This is convenient but expensive. Once you process more than about $5,000 per month, interchange-plus pricing almost always saves money. The more you process, the bigger the gap.

Ignoring Your Processing Statement

Your monthly statement tells you exactly what you are paying. Most merchants never read it. Look for your effective rate by dividing total fees by total volume. If the number is above 2.5 percent for card-present transactions, you are likely overpaying. Unison clients typically achieve effective rates between 1.5 and 2.2 percent.

Not Using EMV Chip Readers

If a customer uses a chip card and you swipe instead of dip, you are liable for any fraud on that transaction. EMV chip readers also qualify transactions for lower interchange rates. Every terminal we provide supports chip, tap, and swipe payments.

Overlooking PCI Compliance

PCI compliance is required for every business that accepts cards. Non-compliance fees range from $20 to $100 per month. A data breach can cost $5,000 to $100,000 or more. Our PCI-certified terminals and guided compliance questionnaire make certification straightforward.

Signing Long-Term Contracts

Many processors lock merchants into 3-year contracts with early termination fees of $300 to $500. We do not require long-term contracts. Process month to month. If you are not happy, you can leave at any time without penalty.

Unison Payment Solutions has worked with hundreds of auto repair & dealerships businesses across the United States. We understand the specific challenges, compliance requirements, and payment workflows that auto repair & dealerships merchants face every day. Our goal is simple: give you the lowest possible rates, the best hardware, and support from someone who actually knows your industry.

Unlike aggregators that treat every business the same, we build custom solutions. Your pricing is based on your actual transaction data. Your terminal is configured for your menu, your tax rates, and your workflow. Your account manager works with auto repair & dealerships merchants regularly and can answer questions specific to your business.

Whether you are opening your first location, switching from another processor, or expanding to multiple sites, we make the process straightforward. Apply in minutes. Get approved quickly. Start saving from your very first batch.

Ready to see how much you could save? Request a free statement analysis or use our savings calculator to estimate your potential savings right now.