Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 80% of automotive parts and accessories stores businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 4.4%.

80%
5-Year Survival Rate
-0.8%
Net Growth Rate
23,904
Total Firms
1,841
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores a Good Business to Start?

With a 80% five-year survival rate, automotive parts and accessories stores has an above-average survival rate compared to the national average of roughly 50%. This makes it a relatively safe industry to enter — businesses here tend to find stable demand and sustainable economics.

The annual exit rate of 4.4% is lower than many sectors, suggesting that once established, these businesses have staying power. That said, lower failure rates often correlate with higher barriers to entry or established competition.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)4.2%
Exit Rate (closures)4.4%

Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-0.2 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

9.1%
Job Creation Rate
9.8%
Job Destruction Rate
-0.8%
Net Job Growth

The industry is losing jobs faster than creating them — which may indicate automation, consolidation, or declining demand. Total employment: 553,323 workers across 23,904 firms.

Want to know how much automotive parts and accessories stores businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of automotive parts and accessories stores businesses fail?
Approximately 20% of automotive parts and accessories stores businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 4.4%, with 1,841 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the automotive parts and accessories stores industry growing or shrinking?
The automotive parts and accessories stores industry is currently stable with a net job creation rate of -0.8% per year. New businesses are entering at 4.2% while 4.4% close annually.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.