How to Start a Car Wash Business in South Africa

It’s a Saturday morning in Durban, the sun is high, music drifts from passing taxis and a line of cars snakes down the street waiting for their turn at the local car wash. Some drivers lean against their bonnets while others head next door for shisanyama, knowing their cars will be spotless by the time they return.

Car washes aren’t just businesses in South Africa, they’re part of the community, which is why so many entrepreneurs want to know how to start a car wash business in South Africa. And its pretty straight forward. Start with research, find the right location, set up your basics and make sure payments never slow you down. From there, you can grow step by step into something much bigger.

Why car washes work in South Africa

Cars are everywhere and they never stop getting dirty. Summer brings dust and road trips, while winter means rain and mud. People may cut back on luxuries during tough times, but they still want their cars looking clean and that is why car washes are evergreen: the demand is steady year-round.

The beauty about this business is that it’s also flexible. You can start a mobile car wash with a tank, pressure washer and soap, or invest in a fixed site that handles bigger volumes. Waterless washes are also gaining traction, especially in areas with water restrictions and they appeal to eco-conscious customers. Each model works if you match it to your resources and your market.

Market research and feasibility

The first step is starting with research as this gives you the best chance to succeed. Spend a weekend watching how other car washes in your area operate. Are they packed on Saturdays? Do they only focus on quick exterior washes, leaving interiors untouched? Are there office parks, malls or taxi ranks with no wash in sight? Understanding these details can help you see both demand and opportunity.

It’s also important to run the numbers. Starting a mobile car wash in South Africa can cost as little as R5 000 to R15 000. Setting up a fixed site usually requires between R50 000 and R200 000, depending on rent, equipment, and staff. A single wash often costs around R25 in supplies but can sell for R70, leaving R45 profit. At 15 cars a day, that’s more than R16 000 a month before extras. Add services like vacuuming, waxing or tyre shine and you can increase that income significantly. This is why car washes remain profitable when managed well.

Mojo’s: from buckets to a kasi landmark

One of the best examples of how far a car wash can go is Mojo’s Car Wash & Shisanyama in Durban. When it opened in 2005, it was known simply as Mojo’s Corner Car Wash and back then it was just buckets, sponges and a whole lot of determination. Over time, it grew into a kasi landmark where people wash their cars, enjoy the tastiest shisanyama and soak in the community atmosphere.

Managing Director Zanele Khumalo says the vision was never only about money. “The main reason why uSibusiso opened the company was to create employment,” she explains. That spirit still drives the business, which has built a culture where staff work like a family and customers feel respected and welcomed.

You can read the full article on Mojo’s Carwash & Shisanyama

Running a site that busy could have been a challenge, but Mojo’s switched to iKhokha and now runs with five iK Flyers on site. “The staff love it because it’s simpler than the other bank machines,” Zanele adds. Reliable payments keep the business running smoothly and that makes as much difference as the water and soap.

Choose your car wash model

There are three main ways to run a car wash in South Africa.

1. Fixed sites are ideal for handling high volumes if you’ve got the right location.

2. Mobile washes cost less to start and give you the flexibility to move between customers.

3. Waterless washes save water and stand out in areas with restrictions.

Many entrepreneurs begin mobile, test the demand, and expand into fixed sites when they’re ready to grow.

Location is everything

If you’re opening a fixed site, your location will decide whether you succeed. The best sites are where cars already stop: shopping centres, petrol stations, taxi ranks, or busy commuter roads. Customers love dropping off their cars while running errands. Even if there’s competition nearby, that’s not necessarily a bad sign. Competition often proves there’s demand. The difference comes down to your service. If you’re faster, friendlier, or offer extras, you’ll attract your own loyal base.

What you’ll need to start

Your setup doesn’t need to be fancy to work. Customers care more about results and consistency than flashy gear.

At the very least, you’ll need:

a pressure washer or waterless products
buckets, cloths, sponges, and eco-friendly soap
a water source or portable tank if you’re mobile
shade or a cover if you’re fixed-site
a way to accept payments (like iK Tap on Phone, iK Flyer Lite, or iK Flyer)

Start lean, then reinvest profits into upgrades like vacuums, foam sprayers, or water recycling systems. Customers notice quality improvements, and that keeps them coming back.

People build your reputation

Machines may do the washing, but people build loyalty. Hire staff who respect customers, care about cars, and show up consistently. Train them well so they deliver the same level of service every time. In South Africa, word of mouth is powerful. One great experience can lead to ten referrals and that kind of reputation is priceless.

Pricing that works

Pricing is one of the trickiest parts of starting out. Go too low and you’ll struggle to survive. Go too high and customers may look elsewhere. The best approach is to research what other car washes charge and position yourself fairly. Always make sure your prices cover costs and leave room for growth.

Extras make a big difference here. Services like vacuuming, tyre shine and waxing cost little to provide but add real value for customers, and they’re often willing to pay for the convenience. Over time, these upsells can push your monthly income much higher.

Marketing that matters

A well-run car wash often markets itself, but smart promotion helps. Start by making your signage visible from the road so drivers know exactly where you are. Share before-and-after photos on WhatsApp and Instagram. Hand out flyers in busy areas and don’t underestimate the power of community WhatsApp groups, a single recommendation can bring in a wave of new customers.

For stable, long-term income, partner with taxi associations or delivery companies. Fleet contracts like these give you predictable revenue even when walk-in traffic slows.

Payments and growth with iKhokha

Cash-only businesses lose sales because not everyone carries notes. That’s why digital payments are so important for growing businesses.

If you’re starting lean, iK Tap on Phone is the easiest way to get paid. It turns your Android phone into a card machine, letting customers tap and pay instantly, with money landing in your account the same day. As you grow and bring on more staff, the iK Flyer Lite gives you a portable card machine that can move between bays. If you’re running a busier site and customers expect receipts, upgrading to the iK Flyer adds that layer of professionalism.

When it’s time to expand, whether that means adding new bays, upgrading equipment, or opening a second site, iK Cash Advance makes it possible. You apply in your app, and within 24 hours, the funds are in your account. No red tape. No wasted time. Just growth on your terms.

FAQs

How much does it cost to start a car wash in South Africa?

A mobile car wash can be started for R5 000 to R15 000, while a fixed-site wash usually costs R50 000 to R200 000 depending on rent and equipment.

Is a car wash profitable in South Africa?

Yes. A single wash that costs R25 in supplies can sell for R70, leaving R45 profit. Washing 15 cars a day adds up to more than R16 000 a month before extras, and many busy sites make R20 000 to R30 000 monthly.

Do I need a license to start a car wash?

You don’t need a special license, but you must register with the CIPC. For fixed sites, municipal approval may also be required for water use and zoning.

Can I start a car wash at home?

Yes, if your municipality allows it and you have space and water access. Many car washes begin at home before moving to busier, more visible locations.

What equipment do I need to start a car wash?

At minimum: a pressure washer, buckets, cloths, soap, and a water supply. As you grow, add vacuums, foam sprayers, and recycling systems.

What’s the best way to accept payments at a car wash?

The best way is to start with iK Tap on Phone for simplicity, move to an iK Flyer Lite as you grow, and upgrade to an iK Flyer if you need printed receipts.

Buckets, soap, and big dreams

Starting a car wash in South Africa doesn’t take millions, it takes buckets, soap and determination. Mojo’s began that way in Durban and grew into a kasi landmark that employs locals and brings the community together. Your journey may look different, but the principles are the same: stay consistent, focus on service, and keep building.

With iKhokha helping you get paid on time, manage your cash flow, and fund your growth when the opportunity arrives, there’s nothing stopping you from turning a small hustle into a thriving business. The cars are already lining up and all that’s left is for you to get started.