Dealer vs independent garage prices: the real gap
Everyone says "dealers charge more" — here are real published prices for the same job on the same car. In our June 2026 checks, franchise dealers charged 53% to 85% more than independent garages. Industry guides put the typical gap at 30–50%.
Same car, same job, two prices
| Job | Independent | Main dealer | Dealer premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta — full service | £173 | £269 | +55% |
| Ford Focus — full service | £188 | £287 | +53% |
| Ford Ka — clutch replacement | £370 | £565 | +53% |
| Audi Q3 — clutch replacement | £666–£780 | £1,232–£1,426 | +85% |
Source: published independent-garage and franchise-dealer estimates (ClickMechanic price pages), fetched and re-verified June 2026.
Why dealers cost more
Dealer labour rates run £120–£230/hour against £45–£90 at a good independent. You are paying for the branded workshop, courtesy cars and the badge on the invoice — the oil, filters and pads are frequently the same OE-quality parts an independent fits.
When the dealer is worth it
Cars under manufacturer warranty (though block exemption rules mean an independent using OE parts and schedules keeps your warranty valid), complex warranty/recall work, and some EV high-voltage jobs. For everything else — servicing, brakes, suspension, clutches — an independent doing the same job typically saves you a third to a half.
What the fair independent price actually is
Across the 1059 models in our database, a full service at a UK independent typically lands at £180–£300 for a mainstream car. Check your exact car above — it takes ten seconds.