In any dealership acquisition or closure, whether you’re the buyer or the seller, having a parts inventory and fixed operations equipment specialist is critical to protecting both parties. These transactions are complex, and fixed assets or parts inventory values are often overlooked until late in the process. Yet, these assets typically represent the second-largest cash exposure in a dealership’s total valuation.
At Mitchell Automotive Services, our role is to ensure that both buyer and seller have a complete and accurate accounting of all parts, fixed assets, and tools on hand. We establish fair market values for these assets and document them according to the terms of your acquisition or dissolution agreement. We also work directly with the manufacturer to maximize termination returns for both parties.
Many transactions include assets that fall outside the contract’s parameters. We identify, document, and help both parties develop equitable strategies for liquidating or retaining these items — ensuring that no value is left on the table.
Fixed Asset Procedures
Our experienced professionals work closely with your team to provide a full spectrum of equipment appraisal services. We offer certified buy/sell inventories, fleet management inventories, and complete fixed asset assessments — all backed by our Certified Machinery and Equipment Appraiser (CMEA) credentials.
As certified appraisers, we deliver valuation reports that stand up to scrutiny from banks, lenders, the IRS, attorneys, insurers, CPAs, and other stakeholders involved in asset transfer or financing.
Our comprehensive appraisal report includes:
- Mitchell Inventory Worksheet — detailing each item’s description, model number, serial number, category, installation status, and notes.
- Complete photo documentation in PDF format.
- Excel spreadsheet summary including catalog numbers, quantities, and extended values.
- Brokerage services available upon request.
Physical Inventory Procedures
Our automotive buy/sell physical inventory process provides comprehensive, actionable data. We review your Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) and meet with both buyer and seller to clarify ambiguous terms — especially around “obsolete” parts classifications.
Most clients choose to begin with a pre-inventory analysis, where we review your counter pad, categorize items per the APA, and create a baseline. This step ensures transparency and saves significant time at closing by identifying excluded items early.
After completing the final inventory, Mitchell Automotive Services delivers a detailed reconciliation per the APA. The report includes original values, adjustments, and final purchase prices, along with part-by-part listings that identify excluded items and reasons. This gives your parts staff a clear pull list with bin locations, quantities, and negotiated outcomes for closing accuracy.
Pricing
| Buy/Sell Fixed Asset Assessment Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Pricing based on asset schedule before depreciation. | |
| First $500,000 | 1.50% (minimum $6,250) |
| Amounts above $500,000 | 1.25% – 1.50% |
| Travel Expenses | Billed at net cost |
| Remote Buy/Sell Physical Inventory Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Pre-Inventory Analysis (optional) | 0.50% of counter pad value (minimum $1,750) |
| Post-Inventory Analysis (required) | 0.50% of counter pad value (minimum $1,750) |
| Both Pre and Post Inventory Analysis | 10% discount |
Due to the complexity of on-site buy/sell engagements, please contact us for an on-site quote.