Where should you bring your vehicle for auto repair services? If you want the greatest satisfaction, bring it to an independent auto repair shop. This is the finding of a Consumer Reports Member Survey (based on non-warranty repairs and service).

Some would find it surprising to discover that, according to the survey, bringing a vehicle to an auto dealership for repairs and service is the least likely place to go for satisfaction. Some of the big box stores and chains do better than the dealerships but even they fall significantly short of the satisfaction expressed by vehicle owners who bring their car, truck or SUV to an independent auto repair shop.

In particular, the new-car dealerships performed poorly in the survey in relation to the price of service. But independent auto repair shops also outperformed new-car dealerships, box stores and chains in the other categories that were included in the survey:

• Quality of the Work Performed
• Timeliness
• Courtesy of Staff
• Price Charged

The results of the survey may come as a bit of a shock some who have long stood by their dealership for auto repair and service. Likewise, car, truck and SUV owners who go to chains or box stores for repairs and service may want to reconsider and bring their vehicles to independent auto repair shops instead.

Auto repair technicians at independent auto repair shops are consistently attending classes and seminars for continuing education and to stay abreast of the latest changes in the industry. The managers of independent auto repair shops often demonstrate a greater commitment to assembling the most qualified staff of auto repair technicians. The Consumer Reports survey seems to bear that out.