71 percent of drivers believe that independent garages are "just as competent" as the car manufacturers' authorized workshops. 14 percent even rate the quality of work and service provided by independent garages better than that of brand-affiliated garages. This was the result of the Trend-Tacho survey conducted by the trade journal "kfz-betrieb" and the expert organization KÜS. From the drivers' point of view, independent garages have another advantage: 82 percent of those surveyed believe that maintenance and repair work is cheaper at an independent garage than at a brand-name garage.



However, when it comes to choosing their car repair store, drivers favor brand-name companies. For example, 56 percent of those surveyed had the last maintenance and repair work on their vehicles carried out by an authorized garage and 33 percent by an independent garage. 4 percent carried out the necessary repair work on their car themselves or enlisted the help of friends. Only 2 percent visited a branch of a garage chain such as A.T.U or Pit-Stop.



Spare parts, accessories and tires have been purchased online by 16 percent of drivers (previous year: 14 percent). People aged between 33 and 44 (26 percent) make above-average use of online platforms to buy parts.



The complete Trend-Tacho study with all the survey results on service competence, workshop selection and the price image of brand-affiliated and independent car dealerships as well as drivers' online use is available for just 49 euros. E-mail: info@kfz-betrieb.de.



"kfz-betrieb" is the most widely read trade magazine in the automotive industry and has been informing the automotive trade and service sector for over 100 years. "kfz-betrieb" is the official organ of the German Motor Vehicle Trade (ZDK), the professional interest group for around 38,000 car dealerships and workshops. News at www.kfz-betrieb.de. The parent company Vogel Business Media is one of the leading German trade information providers with 100+ trade journals, 100+ web portals, 100+ business events as well as numerous mobile offerings and international activities. Its headquarters are in Würzburg. The company celebrated its 120th birthday in 2011.