expensive dealer service still drives car owners to independent shopsThere are a lot of factors that influence vehicle owners' preferences for having their vehicles serviced.The trustworthiness of the facility and the cost associated with a given dealer or shop are big factors, as are things like the "free" maintenance programs included in the purchase of a new vehicle.However, even though the trust still seems to be there, the high cost of having a vehicle maintained (or repaired) at a dealer service center is driving people-yes, figuratively and literally-to seek out other paths.expensive dealer service still drives car owners to independent shopsA recent study from J.D. Power shows that dealership service departments are trusted more than independent shops. That is to say, people in general appear to trust the manufacturer-backed facility more than the local garage.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis news is thanks to the organization's 2026 U.S. Aftermarket Service (ASI) Study, which also reveals that aftermarket and independent providers generally do well in repairs on the first attempt.There's some cognitive dissonance here, especially since having your car, truck, or SUV serviced at a dealer usually has a premium price associated with it; hourly rates usually range anywhere from $40-150 more per hour at the dealer than at independent shops.expensive dealer service still drives car owners to independent shopsHowever, a study from Ducker Carlisle highlights the importance of cost, with dealers losing out to third-party shops on both transaction volume and revenue, largely due to the financial factors involved in vehicle maintenance and repairs. Note that the study reflects quick-lube stores, but the point stands.Then again, other factors are at play. People in general expect dealers to be more pushy when it comes to "optional" services; it isn't uncommon for service writers to push cabin filter replacements or fluid flushes for hundreds of dollars extra when said services are not even needed, simply to make a few extra bucks.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis perception that the independent shops are less likely to be pushy helps them, but dealers fight back with things like complimentary maintenance on new vehicles, usually to the tune of coverage for the first 10,000-25,000 miles.All of this is to say that the dealer-vs-independent shop war isn't showing any signs of letting up, but if the ever-increasing cost of new vehicles and skyrocketing gas prices have anything to do with it, we wouldn't be surprised to see the needle sway in favor of the old-fashioned local garage.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.