In line with the J.D. Energy 2023 U.S. Aftermarket Service Index (ASI) Research,SM launched at the moment, general satisfaction declines 12 months over 12 months within the three segments that comprise the examine (primarily based on a 1,000-point scale): fast oil change (-18 factors); full-service upkeep and restore (-7); and tire alternative (-6). Buyer satisfaction is decrease for the efficiency of the service advisor, particularly noting elevated wait instances, and fewer advisors offering useful recommendation. There’s additionally decrease satisfaction with service advisor courtesy. 

An in depth take a look at the drivers of satisfaction in every phase reveals that satisfaction with fast oil change declines in all seven measures, with the most important decline in service facility (-22); satisfaction with full-service upkeep and restore declining in six of seven measures, with satisfaction solely enhancing in ease of scheduling (+3); and tire and alternative declining in six of seven measures, with satisfaction enhancing solely with time to finish service (+1).

“Unbiased service suppliers should stay targeted on retaining their buyer base,” mentioned Leonard Martin, director of automotive retail at J.D. Energy. “Aftermarket service amenities can enhance buyer loyalty and income by profiting from what they do greatest—being simpler to do enterprise with. Comfort, pace and worth are very engaging to at the moment’s automobile homeowners who’re on the lookout for glorious service, and aftermarket service suppliers can leverage these elements to stem the tide of homeowners going to dealerships.” 

The examine, now in its fourth 12 months, measures buyer satisfaction with aftermarket service amenities, offering a numerical index rating of the highest-performing amenities within the U.S. aftermarket. Efficiency in three segments—full-service upkeep and restore; fast oil change; and tire alternative—relies on the mixed scores for seven measures that comprise the automobile proprietor service expertise. These measures are (in alphabetical order): ease of scheduling/getting automobile in for service; equity of prices; service advisor courtesy; service advisor efficiency; service facility; time to finish service; and high quality of labor.

Following are key findings of the 2023 examine:

Fast and straightforward facility fixes that enhance satisfaction: Enhancing satisfaction at unbiased service facilities could be so simple as offering complimentary snacks or electrical energy for patrons’ digital gadgets. The three facilities which have the most important impact on satisfaction are supplied lower than 15% of the time. Service facility satisfaction is 825 when complimentary snacks/drinks are supplied, a 91-point enhance vs. when they aren’t (734). Equally, facility satisfaction is 81 factors larger when suppliers make a tool charging station out there than when this amenity just isn’t supplied (735). Giving prospects a workspace to plug in computer systems is one other simple technique to increase satisfaction but is at present supplied solely 7% of the time.
 

Aftermarket service suppliers can get a income jolt: The ever-increasing electrical automobile (EV) market service wants and shorter size of service intervals is creating a chance for aftermarket service suppliers. The examine finds that tire restore and alternative wants for EVs pattern a lot larger than the business common for inner combustion engine (ICE) autos. The kinds of work being performed at the next fee on EVs than the business common embody tire upkeep (49% vs. 28%, respectively); tire restore (41% vs. 12%, respectively); and tire alternative (34% vs. 21%, respectively). “Aftermarket service suppliers can profit from a rise in tire alternative and restore enterprise as automakers supply extra EVs,” Martin mentioned. “The heavier EV weight as a result of batteries coupled with the moment torque leads to extra tire put on and tear, which is a chance for the aftermarket business.”

Research Rankings

The 2023 U.S. Aftermarket Service Index (ASI) Research relies on responses from 11,194 automobile homeowners. Survey information assortment was carried out on-line from January via March 2023. Survey respondents have been initially chosen from on-line shopper panels. Respondents have been screened for having aftermarket service carried out previously 12 months.