Amid economic headwinds—including inflation, trade uncertainty, and rising new-vehicle prices—Canadian drivers are holding onto their vehicles longer, fueling a surge in service visits and aftermarket opportunity.

According to the newly released J.D. Power 2025 Canada Customer Service Index—Long-Term (CSI-LT) Study, service activity for vehicles aged 4 to 12 years is climbing across both dealership and aftermarket channels.

Annual dealership visits have jumped to 1.8 per vehicle, up from 1.5 in 2022—the highest level in four years. Aftermarket visits also rose, reaching 1.5 per year, up from 1.3 in 2024. With aging vehicles staying on the road longer, the demand for maintenance and repair is accelerating.

“The Canadian auto service market is now valued at $18.8 billion,” says J.D. Ney, automotive practice lead at J.D. Power Canada. “This creates a significant opportunity for aftermarket distributors and service providers to capture revenue from price-conscious used-vehicle owners.”

Dealerships still account for 62% of total service revenue, driven by higher average per-visit costs—now $539, up from $465 last year. In contrast, aftermarket visits average $302. Cost remains a key factor: 65% of customers who chose aftermarket service cited dealership pricing as the primary reason.

Despite the cost gap, dealerships maintain a trust advantage for complex repairs, scoring 5.94 for maintenance and 5.76 for repairs on a 7-point scale. Aftermarket providers scored 5.68 and 5.64, respectively.

Market share remains steady: dealerships capture 48% of all service visits, followed by independent shops (26%) and quick lube chains (11%). Notably, quick lubes saw a 1-point decline from 2024.

Top Performers in Customer Satisfaction

Mercedes-Benz dealerships lead the CSI-LT rankings with a score of 859, followed by Mitsubishi (835) and Lexus (832). In the aftermarket segment, Great Canadian Oil Change tops the list at 830, with Jiffy Lube close behind at 803.

The CSI-LT Study evaluates satisfaction across five key factors: service quality (32%), vehicle pick-up (20%), facility experience (17%), service initiation (16%), and advisor performance (15%). This year’s study is based on responses from 9,999 owners, collected between March and June 2025.

For jobbers and distributors, the message is clear: as Canadians invest more in keeping older vehicles roadworthy, the aftermarket stands to gain. With rising service volumes, cost sensitivity, and shifting consumer trust, now is the time to support your installer network with the right parts, training, and tools to meet demand.

Learn more about the CSI-LT Study at J.D. Power Canada.