How Much Does a Car Lift Cost for Your Repair Shop?

As an auto repair shop owner, you know the importance of having the right tools to keep things running smoothly. One of the most essential pieces of equipment you’ll need is a car lift.

But before making this crucial investment, the big question remains: How much does a car lift cost?

Knowing the right price range and understanding what affects the car lift cost can make all the difference when it comes to budgeting and ensuring a solid return on your investment.

Let’s explore everything you need to know about the costs and installation costs of a car lift for your shop.

How Much Does a Car Lift Cost?

When you start looking at car lifts, one of the first things you’ll notice is the variety of options available. The cost for car lift can vary based on several factors, including:

Type
Weight Capacity
Additional Features

To give you a better understanding, let’s break it down by type and pricing:

Two-Post Car Lifts

Two-post car lifts are commonly used in automotive repair and maintenance shops due to their versatility, efficiency, and ability to accommodate various vehicle types.

Ideal Uses

General vehicle servicing like oil changes, tire rotations, brake work, and suspension repairs.
Maintenance of light-duty vehicles like passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks.
Private garages or home workshops that need extra height to work under their vehicles.
Detailing and cleaning to raise vehicles for work underneath.

Capacity

Generally ranges from 6,000 to 18,000 pounds (2,700 to 8,100 kg). Common capacities are around 9,000 to 12,000 pounds, which can accommodate most passenger vehicles, trucks, and SUVs.

Cost

The price of a two-post car lift can vary significantly depending on the brand, lifting capacity, features, and installation requirements. Here’s a rough breakdown:

Entry-level models (6,000-8,000 lbs capacity) – between $2,000 and $3,500.
Mid-range models (9,000-12,000 lbs capacity) – between $3,500 and $6,000.
Heavy-duty models (14,000 lbs and above) – from $6,000 to $10,000 or more.

Additional factors like auto lift installation cost, shipping, and optional accessories (such as extra height or extended arms) may also influence the overall price. Learn more about variants of two-post car lifts here!

Four-Post Car Lifts

Four-post car lifts are another popular choice for automotive repair and maintenance, offering stability, lifting capacity, and versatility.

Ideal Uses

Heavier maintenance tasks that require more stability and a solid foundation, such as transmission repairs, engine work, and tire changes.
Garages for vehicle storage as they provide more stability for long-term storage of cars, especially in smaller spaces.
Enthusiasts who want a safe and stable lift for regular maintenance or to store extra vehicles.
Detailing and inspection of undercarriages due to the higher clearance and stable platform.
Heavy-duty vehicles like trucks, vans, and other larger vehicles require additional lifting support.

Capacity

The lifting capacity of four-post car lifts typically ranges from 7,000 to 20,000 pounds (3,175 to 9,070 kg). Common capacities are around 9,000 to 18,000 pounds, which can accommodate most cars, trucks, and larger vehicles.

Cost

The price of a four-post car lift can vary based on the brand, lifting capacity, features, and installation requirements. Here’s a general price breakdown:

Entry-level models (7,000-9,000 lbs capacity) – between $2,500 and $4,000.
Mid-range models (10,000-14,000 lbs capacity) – between $4,000 and $7,000.
Heavy-duty models (15,000 lbs and above) – between $7,000 and $12,000 or more.

Additional costs on optional accessories like extended ramps or power options, may also influence the overall price.

Scissor Car Lifts

Scissor car lifts are versatile automotive lifts known for their compact design, ease of use, and ability to provide a stable platform for a variety of tasks. These lifts use a crisscrossing mechanism to raise and lower vehicles.

Ideal Uses

Automotive repair shops for general maintenance tasks such as oil changes, tire rotations, brake work, and exhaust repairs, especially in tight spaces.
DIY enthusiasts who need a space-saving lift and a stable platform to work under their vehicles.
Detailing work that requires access to the undercarriage of a vehicle, with the added benefit of being able to lower and raise the vehicle as needed.
Vehicle inspection for mechanics needing to examine the vehicle’s underside in a controlled, stable environment.
Storage solutions for vehicles in confined spaces, especially in places with low ceilings or limited headroom.

Capacity

The lifting capacity of scissor car lifts typically ranges from 3,000 to 12,000 pounds (1,360 to 5,440 kg). Common capacities are around 6,000 to 8,000 pounds, which are sufficient for most passenger vehicles, light trucks, and SUVs.

Cost

The price of a scissor car lift depends on factors like brand, lifting capacity, features, and installation. Here’s a general breakdown of costs:

Entry-level models (3,000-5,000 lbs capacity) – between $1,500 and $3,000.
Mid-range models (6,000-8,000 lbs capacity) – between $3,000 and $5,500.
Heavy-duty models (10,000 lbs and above) – from $5,500 to $9,000 or more, depending on the features.

Additional costs on optional features such as extended ramps or additional lifting height can impact the overall price.

In-Ground Car Lifts

In-ground car lifts are specialized lifts designed to be installed directly into the floor of a garage or shop. These lifts provide a permanent solution for lifting vehicles and are favored for their clean, space-saving design and long-term durability.

Ideal Uses

Professional garages for regular maintenance, heavy repairs, and alignment work, particularly for high-end or classic cars that require stable lifting without external support structures.
Homeowners who want a permanent, high-quality lift solution that doesn’t occupy floor space when not in use.
Vehicle storage, especially in commercial spaces where maximizing available floor space is important.
Custom or specialty vehicles for lifting exotic cars, race cars, or other high-performance vehicles that require precise and stable lifting platforms.
Tire and wheel work like tire rotations, wheel alignments, and brake work, where consistent height and stability are required.

Capacity

The lifting capacity of in-ground car lifts typically ranges from 6,000 to 20,000 pounds (2,700 to 9,070 kg), though most models fall within the 9,000 to 15,000 pounds range. This is more than enough for most standard passenger vehicles, trucks, and SUVs, with some heavy-duty models capable of handling larger vehicles.

Cost

The cost of in-ground car lifts is generally higher than other types of lifts due to the complexity of installation and the need for specialized engineering. Here’s an approximate price breakdown:

Entry-level models (6,000-9,000 lbs capacity) – between $4,000 and $7,000.
Mid-range models (10,000-15,000 lbs capacity) – from $7,000 to $12,000.
Heavy-duty models (20,000 lbs capacity and above) – from $12,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the features and the manufacturer.

This car lift installation cost is generally higher than other lifts because in-ground car lifts require digging and the installation of a reinforced foundation, which can add $2,000 to $5,000 or more to the overall price, depending on the complexity of the installation.

Portable Car Lifts

Portable car lifts are a flexible and mobile solution for lifting vehicles, offering the convenience of being easily moved and set up wherever needed.

Ideal Uses

Automotive repair shops that require the lift to move between different workstations or for jobs that require occasional lifting without permanent installation.
Private garages or home workshops that have limited space and want a mobile lifting solution that can be easily stored or moved out.
Tire and wheel work like tire changes, brake work, and undercarriage maintenance where a compact, easy-to-use lift is needed.
Cleaning and detailing vehicles for getting under them without the need for a permanent lift.
Store vehicles in tight spaces, providing temporary height clearance for parking or vehicle maintenance.

Capacity

Portable car lifts generally have a lifting capacity that ranges from 2,000 to 6,000 pounds (900 to 2,700 kg), though some higher-end models can lift to 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg). Most models are designed for lighter-duty vehicles like passenger cars, SUVs, and small trucks.

Cost

The price of portable car lifts can vary widely based on brand, lifting capacity, features, and portability. Here’s a general cost breakdown:

Entry-level models (2,000-4,000 lbs capacity) – between $1,000 and $2,500.
Mid-range models (4,000-6,000 lbs capacity) – between $2,500 and $4,500.
Heavy-duty portable lifts (6,000-10,000 lbs capacity) – from $4,500 to $8,000 or more, depending on the features and capabilities.

Additional costs on optional features such as extended arms or mobile bases, and installation (if required) can affect the total cost.

Rotary Car Lifts

Rotary car lifts are premium automotive lifts known for their durability, reliability, and advanced technology. These lifts are often used in high-end professional environments like commercial repair shops, dealerships, and specialized service centers.

Ideal Uses

Professional use in busy repair shops for tasks such as oil changes, brake work, suspension repairs, tire rotations, and more.
Vehicle service centers and dealerships for both maintenance and vehicle inspections.
Enthusiasts who want a high-quality, long-lasting lift for regular maintenance and repairs in their garages.
Some models are capable of lifting larger, heavier vehicles such as trucks, vans, and SUVs.
In certain configurations, it’s used for vehicle storage, providing the convenience of lifting a vehicle off the ground and saving space.

Capacity

Rotary car lifts are designed to handle higher lifting capacities, typically ranging from 6,000 to 18,000 pounds (2,700 to 8,100 kg), with some heavy-duty models capable of lifting to 20,000 pounds (9,070 kg) or more.

The lifting capacity will depend on the model and the specific needs of the user, with standard capacities of 9,000 to 12,000 pounds being common for most automotive repair applications.

Cost

The price of rotary car lifts can vary significantly depending on the model, lifting capacity, and features. Here’s a general cost breakdown:

Entry-level models (6,000-9,000 lbs capacity) – between $3,500 and $6,000.
Mid-range models (10,000-12,000 lbs capacity) – from $6,000 to $9,000.
Heavy-duty models (14,000 lbs and above) – from $9,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on features, lifting capacity, and installation requirements.

Additional costs on optional features such as extra height or extended lifting arms can affect the total cost. Here’s a list of the top 10 car lifts for auto repair shops for your convenience!

How Much is a Car Lift Installation?

The cost of installing a car lift depends on several factors such as the type of lift, the complexity of the installation, and whether the installation requires additional work (like electrical or floor modifications).

Below is a detailed breakdown of typical installation costs for different types of car lifts: