Auto transport brokerage is an asset-light logistics segment connecting vehicle shippers — including individuals, auto dealers, fleet operators, and rental companies — with licensed car hauling carriers. Brokers earn margins by sourcing capacity on open and enclosed car carriers and managing the transaction, compliance, and customer service layer without owning physical equipment. The industry is deeply fragmented with thousands of small operators competing on carrier relationships, load board access, and customer service reputation.
Who buys these: Logistics entrepreneurs, existing freight brokers, private equity-backed transportation platforms, and owner-operators looking to move from asset-based to asset-light models
2.5–4.5×
Typical EBITDA multiple
$1M–$5M
Revenue range
Stable
Market trend
SBA Eligible
7(a) financing available
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Minimum $1M in gross revenue, positive EBITDA margins of 10–20%+, diversified customer base with no single customer exceeding 20% of revenue, established carrier network of 500+ vetted carriers, and at least 3 years of operating history with clean financials
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Key items to investigate when evaluating a Auto Transport Brokerage acquisition
What buyers typically pay for Auto Transport Brokerage businesses
2.5×
Low Multiple
3.5×
Mid Multiple
4.5×
High Multiple
Auto Transport Brokerage businesses in the $1M–$5M revenue range trade at 2.5–4.5× EBITDA in the lower middle market. Multiple variance is driven by recurring revenue percentage, owner dependency, client concentration, and growth trajectory. Stable demand allows consistent pricing near the midpoint for quality businesses.
Full valuation guide for Auto Transport BrokerageAuto Transport Brokerage acquisitions are SBA 7(a) eligible, meaning buyers can finance up to 90% of the purchase price. This expands the qualified buyer pool significantly and allows first-time acquirers to close with 10% down. Typical SBA terms run 10 years at prime + 2.75%. Sellers are often asked to carry a 5–10% note alongside SBA financing to satisfy the lender's equity requirement.
Typical acquirer profile for this segment
A logistics entrepreneur or existing freight broker seeking to enter or expand in the auto transport vertical, a private equity-backed transportation services platform pursuing add-on acquisitions, or a semi-absentee investor with operational management in place
What to investigate before buying a Auto Transport Brokerage business
Seller Intelligence
Who sells Auto Transport Brokerage businesses?
Founder-owned auto transport brokerages operated for 5–20 years, often run by owner-operators who built the carrier network personally and are approaching retirement, burnout, or seeking liquidity after scaling to plateau
Typical exit timeline: 12–18 months
Auto Transport Brokerage businesses in the $1M–$5M revenue range typically sell for 2.5–4.5× EBITDA. Minimum $1M in gross revenue, positive EBITDA margins of 10–20%+, diversified customer base with no single customer exceeding 20% of revenue, established carrier network of 500+ vetted carriers, and at least 3 years of operating history with clean financials
Auto Transport Brokerage businesses typically trade at 2.5–4.5× EBITDA in the lower middle market. The market is highly fragmented with stable demand, which puts pressure on pricing.
Auto Transport Brokerage businesses are SBA 7(a) eligible, making them accessible to first-time buyers. SBA 7(a) loan with 10–15% buyer equity down, seller note of 5–10% for alignment
Key due diligence areas include: Carrier network depth, vetting processes, and insurance compliance documentation; Customer concentration analysis and contract transferability; Revenue mix between retail, dealer, and corporate accounts and associated margin profiles; Technology infrastructure including TMS, load board integrations, and CRM systems; Regulatory compliance including FMCSA broker authority, surety bond status, and claims history.
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