Mr. Lube is a quick-lube service format, not a general repair garage or a used-vehicle lot — which actually simplifies one thing buyers often assume they need: there's typically no OMVIC dealer registration involved, since the model doesn't sell vehicles. What does matter is the drive-through service-bay building itself, the equipment inside it, and how used oil, coolant, and other fluids have been handled on site.
Mr. Lube resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
The offer sets price and structure, conditioned on franchisor consent and a screening-level review of how fluids and waste have been handled on site.
1–2 weeks†The franchisor reviews the proposed buyer and may exercise a right of first refusal before the sale can proceed.
several weeks, typically†A franchise disclosure document may still be required for this resale — Ontario courts read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, so franchisor involvement in the sale can trigger it even where it's called a private deal.
assessed early†Getting to closing
The drive-through service building's lease needs landlord consent to assign, alongside a screening-level environmental review given the site's history of oil, coolant, and fluid handling.
2–6 weeks†Mr. Lube's brand-specific quick-lube technician training is distinct from a general mechanic's licence, so the incoming owner or manager typically completes it before or shortly after taking over.
1–3 weeks†Funds and keys change hands, equipment and bay condition are confirmed, and the franchisor confirms the transfer is complete.
1 day, once conditions are met†CFA listing confirms an established Canadian franchise network, CFA member since 1999; self-described as a major Canadian brand in automotive maintenance.
Ontario locations within its established Canadian franchise network.
This is the first real decision in a Mr. Lube resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The unit's assets — bay equipment and hoists, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to franchisor consent. | The shares of the operating company — everything it owns, and everything it owes. |
| Seller's liabilities | Generally stay behind with the seller's existing corporation. | Generally come with the company, known and unknown. |
| Franchise agreement | Consent required for the specific unit, often paired with a current-form agreement. | Consent required for the change of control itself. |
| Environmental exposure | A screening-level review of used oil, coolant, and refrigerant handling is a standard part of diligence before the assets are purchased. | Environmental exposure attaches to the corporation, so historical handling practices matter even more on a share sale. |
| The lease | Needs the landlord's written consent to assign — a drive-through service building often has different zoning and layout requirements than a retail unit. | Usually stays in place, unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause. |
| Tax angle | Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased. | Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares. |
| Typical use | The default for most single-unit resales. | Less common — occasionally used where an operator holds several units under one company. |
The unit's assets — bay equipment and hoists, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to franchisor consent.
The shares of the operating company — everything it owns, and everything it owes.
Generally stay behind with the seller's existing corporation.
Generally come with the company, known and unknown.
Consent required for the specific unit, often paired with a current-form agreement.
Consent required for the change of control itself.
A screening-level review of used oil, coolant, and refrigerant handling is a standard part of diligence before the assets are purchased.
Environmental exposure attaches to the corporation, so historical handling practices matter even more on a share sale.
Needs the landlord's written consent to assign — a drive-through service building often has different zoning and layout requirements than a retail unit.
Usually stays in place, unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause.
Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased.
Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares.
The default for most single-unit resales.
Less common — occasionally used where an operator holds several units under one company.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single Mr. Lube drive-through bay changing hands between one buyer and one seller, with a straightforward lease and a clean environmental screening.
Start my file →A multi-unit operator adding a Mr. Lube location to an existing portfolio, or a resale where a screening-level environmental issue needs to be resolved before terms are final.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
Generally, no — a quick-lube service format doesn't sell vehicles, so it doesn't carry the OMVIC dealer registration requirement that applies to a shop that also buys and sells used cars. That's a genuine point of difference from a general auto repair shop resale.
Diligence typically focuses on how used oil, coolant, and refrigerant have been stored and disposed of on site — a screening-level review is standard, since these are the substances a quick-lube bay handles daily, rather than the broader contamination concerns of a full-service garage or body shop.
Yes — Mr. Lube's own training program is specific to the quick-lube service model rather than a general automotive repair licence, and it's typically required of the incoming owner or a designated manager before or shortly after closing.
The building itself is purpose-built for drive-through vehicle service, so the lease and any zoning considerations tend to focus on bay access, hoist placement, and site layout rather than the storefront and foot-traffic factors that matter for retail.
Possibly. Ontario courts have read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and franchisor involvement in matching a buyer to a seller can be enough to trigger a full disclosure requirement even where the deal is framed as a private resale.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by Mr. Lube or its franchisor.
Tell us about your Mr. Lube resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.