The UK has approximately 32,000 independent garages and around 5,000 franchised dealerships, with independents making up over 90% of all vehicle service and repair locations. Both channels buy aftermarket parts, but the what, how, and why of their purchasing patterns differ in ways that matter significantly for motor factors and suppliers.
Understanding these differences is not academic. It directly affects which parts you stock, how you price them, and where your growth opportunities lie.
How does the UK garage market break down?
Independent garages handle the majority of vehicle servicing and repair in the UK. Industry data suggests independents carry out around 64% of all service work, with franchised dealer workshops accounting for most of the remainder. For motor factors specifically, independent garages are overwhelmingly the primary customer, most franchised dealers source parts through their OE networks rather than the independent aftermarket.
The numbers tell a clear story about consumer preference too: 70% of UK motorists prefer independent garages over main dealers, driven largely by cost, parts and labour at independents can be up to 65% and 45% lower respectively compared to franchise dealerships.
However, the line is blurring. Franchised dealers are increasingly using aftermarket (non-OE) parts for older vehicles and price-sensitive customers. And independent garages are investing in diagnostic equipment and training that enables them to service newer, more complex vehicles that previously went back to the dealer. For a broader view of these structural changes, see our analysis of the state of the UK independent aftermarket in 2026.
What parts do independent garages buy most?
Independent garages operate across the full vehicle parc, but their sweet spot is vehicles aged 4–15 years. With the UK vehicle parc averaging 9.5 years old and 43.4% of cars now over a decade old, this represents a large and growing addressable market. This age profile drives specific parts demand patterns:
High-frequency service and maintenance parts
Filters (oil, air, fuel, cabin), brake pads and discs, wiper blades, spark plugs, drive belts, and service kits make up the core of independent garage purchasing. These are the parts that keep a garage busy day to day, and availability is paramount, a garage cannot afford to wait until tomorrow for a set of brake pads when the car is on the ramp.
Repair and replacement parts
Suspension components (wishbones, drop links, anti-roll bar bushes), steering parts, wheel bearings, water pumps, and thermostats see strong demand from independents working on the older vehicle parc. These repairs are often flagged during MOT testing, and with over 42% of all MOT failures coming from cars over a decade old, this creates predictable and growing demand. MOT failure rates vary significantly by region, which affects local demand patterns (see our analysis of regional aftermarket demand variations).
Diagnostics-driven parts
As independent garages invest in diagnostic capability, they are handling more electrical and electronic repairs: sensors (lambda, ABS, camshaft/crankshaft position), actuators, control modules, and wiring harnesses. This is a growing category that did not feature heavily in independent garage purchasing a decade ago, and it will only accelerate as EVs reshape parts demand and independents gain access to more complex vehicle systems.
How do franchise dealer parts demands differ?
Franchised dealers operate in a different world. Their vehicle parc skews newer (0–5 years), they have OE supply agreements, and their parts purchasing is shaped by manufacturer warranty and service schedules.
OE-first purchasing
Franchise dealers typically source parts through their manufacturer’s parts distribution network as the default. Aftermarket parts enter the picture primarily for:
- Out-of-warranty vehicles where the customer is price-sensitive
- Fast-moving consumables where aftermarket alternatives are functionally identical (wipers, bulbs)
- Older vehicles that the dealer services but where OE parts are expensive or slow to source
- Collision repair where insurance companies push for cost-effective alternatives
Higher-value, lower-volume parts mix
When franchise dealers do buy from the aftermarket, the parts mix tends toward higher-value items: brake kits for premium vehicles, suspension components for SUVs, and specialist fluids. The volume of individual transactions is often lower than independent garages, but the average order value can be higher.
What does this mean for motor factors?
Stock range and depth decisions
A motor factor serving primarily independent garages needs broad coverage across the full vehicle parc, with deep stock on high-frequency service parts. First-pick availability on filters, braking, and service kits is non-negotiable, if you do not have it, the garage will call someone who does.
A factor looking to grow its franchise dealer business needs to invest in premium and OE-equivalent product lines, particularly for newer vehicle applications. Brand perception matters more in this channel, dealers will not fit a brand they have not heard of.
Pricing and margin strategies
Independent garages are price-aware but availability-driven. They will pay a modest premium for immediate delivery over a cheaper part that takes a day to arrive. This creates margin opportunity for factors with strong local stock depth.
Franchise dealers negotiate harder on price (they are typically larger accounts) but can offer more predictable, scheduled ordering patterns. The margin per transaction may be lower, but the revenue consistency can be valuable. For a data-driven approach to navigating these pricing decisions, see our guide to benchmarking motor factor pricing.
Delivery expectations
Independent garages expect same-day, often same-morning delivery. Many operate on a “call it in, have it within the hour” model. Franchise dealers often plan more in advance, placing orders a day ahead for scheduled work, but expect reliability and accuracy on those orders.
How is the independent vs franchise split changing?
Two trends are shifting the landscape:
The “Right to Repair” movement and regulatory pressure are making it easier for independent garages to access vehicle data and diagnostic information, enabling them to service newer vehicles. The independent share of the fleet service, maintenance and repair (SMR) market has already grown from around 15% to 26% in recent years. This expands the independent channel’s addressable market, and its parts demand profile.
Cost-conscious consumers are migrating from dealers to independents for post-warranty work. With 72% of UK motorists actively seeking cheaper maintenance options, independents are seeing increased demand for servicing work on 3–5 year old vehicles that might previously have stayed at the dealer.
Both trends expand the parts opportunity in the independent channel, more vehicle coverage, more complex repairs, higher-value parts demand.
How can data help you serve both channels?
Understanding the demand differences between independent and franchise garages at a granular level, by category, by region, by vehicle application, is essential for making smart stocking and pricing decisions. Sell-out data from motor factor POS systems provides the clearest picture of what each channel is actually buying, rather than what suppliers are shipping into the pipeline.
Factor Sales provides real-time market intelligence drawn from actual motor factor transaction data, covering both channels. Learn more about how data can sharpen your approach.