Service stations can be solid, cash-generating businesses, but they're unlike most retail. Fuel is a low-margin, high-volume product, your supply arrangements shape almost everything, and the site itself carries environmental risk. This guide walks through the process from first search to settlement.
1. Decide what you're actually buying
Listings on Servo For Sale fall into three groups:
- Leasehold business: you buy the operating business and lease the site from a landlord or fuel company. Lowest entry price, but your future depends on the lease and supply terms.
- Freehold going concern: land, buildings and business together. More capital, more control, and two assets for a lender to assess.
- Freehold investment: you own the property and a fuel operator pays you rent. You're a landlord, not an operator.
Within operator businesses, the operating model matters as much as the location. See our guide to commission agents, franchises and independents.
2. Read the numbers that matter
| Metric | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Fuel volume (litres per month) | Drives commission or fuel margin, and the customer traffic that feeds the shop. |
| Shop sales per week | Usually where most of the gross profit comes from. Ask for gross margin, not just sales. |
| Commission (cents per litre) | On commission sites this is your fuel income. Check how and when it can be changed. |
| EBITDA / owner's earnings | What the business actually makes before finance and tax. Check whether it includes a wage for the owner. |
| Lease and supply agreement terms | Years remaining, options, rent reviews and who maintains tanks and equipment. |
3. Shortlist and enquire
Use the filters for fuel volume, brand, model and tenure, and save your search so new listings are emailed to you. Many sites sell off-market, so post a buyer brief as well. Brokers can then bring you opportunities before they're advertised.
Post a buyer brief
Tell brokers what you're after and hear about off-market sites.
4. Sign the confidentiality deed and review the data room
Sellers usually release the business name, address and financials only after you sign a confidentiality deed. On Servo For Sale this happens online, and documents are shared through a secure data room.
5. Get finance lined up early
Servo lending is specialist. Lenders look at the business's earnings, your experience, the lease and supply terms, and how much deposit you have. A pre-approval lets you negotiate as a serious buyer.
Get pre-approved with Make My Loan
Specialist lending for service stations and fuel investments.
6. Due diligence
Engage an accountant and a lawyer who have handled fuel businesses. Don't skip the environmental and tank checks. Our due diligence checklist covers what to ask for.
7. Contract, approvals and settlement
Most sales are conditional on finance, due diligence and approval from the landlord and fuel company or franchisor. Expect training requirements for franchise and commission sites. Stock is normally valued and paid for at settlement ("plus SAV").