EXPANDED MERCHANT GUIDE · VISA · OCTOBER 2026
MCC 7542:
Car Washes
Vehicle washing and detailing. A pay-per-visit car wash delivers a short, visible service close to the charge; membership billing adds a separate review factor.
View the source & scope ↓THE CLASSIFICATION
What does MCC 7542 cover?
Vehicle washing and detailing.
The code belongs to the Automotive services group in this directory. The acquirer must confirm the appropriate assignment for the merchant and the relevant card network.
ILLUSTRATIVE BUSINESS FIT
What could a matching business look like?
- A self-service car wash
- A vehicle-detailing shop
- A wash-and-wax business
These examples illustrate the classification. They are not verified NUMUS customers or confirmed transaction-level assignments.
LOOK BEYOND THE LABEL
Risk & provider review
A pay-per-visit car wash delivers a short, visible service close to the charge; membership billing adds a separate review factor.
Why this category sits here
- Immediate service
- Unattended terminals
- Membership options
Operating assumptions
Ordinary wash services paid at or near use.
What could raise the risk?
- Difficult membership cancellation
- Large prepaid plans
- Repeated billing disputes
Assessment basis: Individual business-category assessment. This is an editorial category assessment, not a bank’s rating, an individual merchant decision, a forecast of losses or a promise of approval.
How we assess risk & source references ↗No specific high-integrity-risk flag is reproduced here from the reviewed Visa classification section. This is not an exemption or a finding that no other requirements apply.
Questions worth preparing
- Are payments attended, unattended or taken by mobile staff?
- Are memberships sold with automatic renewals?
- How are cancellations, service access and failed payments handled?
Your provider may also ask about transaction size, monthly volume, refunds, disputes, customer locations and delivery timing. Use your actual business facts when discussing the code.
THE DISTINCTIONS MATTER
Nearby codes to understand
Compare the definitions rather than choosing whichever code appears more favorable. Separate activities or network rules can change the correct treatment.
CHECK THE REFERENCE
Source, date & scope
Code and classification reference: Visa Merchant Data Standards Manual, October 2026. Directory reviewed November 3, 2026.
Visa source · PDF page 94 · printed page 91 ↗Network descriptions and requirements can differ. This entry does not assert complete Mastercard coverage. Confirm current classifications and any special registration requirements with your acquirer.
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Build the payment setup around it.
THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE CODE
Find processing that fits
your actual business.
Your MCC is one piece of the conversation. Tell NUMUS what you sell, how you deliver it, and how your customers pay. We’ll help you take the next step.