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.

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.

Car Wash startup costs

Starting a mobile car wash in South Africa can cost from around R5 000 to R15 000.
A fixed-site car wash often starts from R50 000 and can run higher, depending on rent, equipment, infrastructure and staffing.

A single wash might cost around R25 in basic supplies and sell for R70, leaving a gross margin before labour, rent and utilities. Profit depends on volume, pricing, and how well running costs are managed. At 15 cars a day, that equates to over R16 000 in base monthly turnover, before adding extras like vacuuming or waxing.

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.

Why is a car wash a good business in South Africa?

Car washes work in South Africa because the demand never stops. Cars are everywhere, and they’re constantly exposed to dust, rain, and road grime. Even when money is tight, people still want their cars to look clean and well-kept, especially for work or travel.

This kind of business also fits South African lifestyles. You can start small and mobile with a pressure washer, a few buckets, and cleaning supplies, or open a fixed site that serves more customers each day. Waterless car washes are growing too, especially in areas with restrictions, and they appeal to eco-conscious drivers.

A car wash can earn steady, repeat income all year round, because customers always come back for convenience and service they can trust.

Payments and growth

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 funds are usually paid out quickly, often within 24 hours once approved.

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.