Dealership Service Prices Are Testing Customer Loyalty

In the News | Ducker Carlisle | June 9, 2026

AutoGuide reporter Ross Ballot examines the ongoing tension between dealership service departments and independent shops, citing Ducker Carlisle data to explain why rising dealer service prices are driving customers toward alternatives despite a persistent trust advantage.

The piece references Ducker Carlisle research showing dealers are losing ground to third-party shops on both transaction volume and revenue, with price as the primary driver. The J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Aftermarket Service Study confirms dealerships are still trusted more than independent shops, but the article argues that trust alone is not enough to offset a pricing gap that can reach $40 to $150 more per hour at a dealership versus an independent.

Additional factors cited include the perception that dealers are more likely to push unnecessary services, and the competitive response from dealers through complimentary maintenance programs. The article concludes that if rising vehicle costs and fuel prices continue, the balance is likely to tilt further toward independent shops.

Read the full article on AutoGuide.com: https://www.autoguide.com/auto/auto-news/expensive-dealer-service-still-drives-car-owners-to-independent-shops-44633881

Source: AutoGuide.com | June 9, 2026