Avoid These Shops When Buying New Tires

In the current economic climate, vehicle owners are keeping their cars longer than ever. This shift has turned routine maintenance items, particularly tire replacement, into significant financial decisions. However, a lower price tag doesn't always equate to a positive customer experience.

The JD Power 2026 U.S. Aftermarket Service Index (ASI) Study reveals that while convenience and cost are driving consumers toward aftermarket shops, satisfaction in the tire replacement segment has declined by 3 points this year. For consumers, the data suggests that where you choose to buy your tires can significantly impact your satisfaction with the service process.

The Bottom Five: Where Satisfaction Lags

While the aftermarket industry generally prides itself on speed, the bottom-ranked shops in this year's study struggled to meet consumer expectations across JD Power’s key performance indicators.

Mavis Discount Tire sits at the bottom of the rankings with a score of 766, nearly 60 points below the segment average. Following them is Walmart (780). While both brands often compete aggressively on price, the data suggests a trade-off in service quality or the customer experience. Jiffy Lube (807), Tires Plus (813), and Firestone Complete Auto Care (814) round out the bottom five, all failing to reach the industry average of 822.

For the consumer, these scores often reflect friction in the scheduling process, a lack of perceived fairness in charges, or facilities that do not meet modern standards for cleanliness and comfort.

The Top Performers

Conversely, Meineke Car Care Centers leads the industry with a score of 856. They are followed closely by Pep Boys (850) and Discount Tire (847). These providers have managed to balance the fundamentals, such as having service advisors who are completely focused on customer needs, with the operational speed that consumers demand.

Analysis: The Aftermarket vs. Dealer Dilemma

The 2026 ASI study highlights a persistent trust gap in the automotive business. Aftermarket shops consistently fix vehicles correctly the first time at rates above 95%, which is historically higher than franchised dealers. Yet, consumers still perceive dealers as being more capable of handling complex repairs and maintaining peak vehicle performance.

Speed is the Aftermarket’s Greatest Asset Despite the trust gap, speed remains a major draw. Approximately 52% of tire replacement customers at aftermarket shops have their work completed in under an hour. At a dealership, only 17% of customers experience that same level of efficiency.

The Rise of Digital Communication One of the most significant shifts in the 2026 data is the preference for text messaging. More than half of all customers now prefer texts for service updates. When shops align with this preference, satisfaction scores are significantly higher (854) than when shops default to phone calls (840).

Furthermore, JD Power noted that while sending photos or videos of inspections can double the likelihood of a customer approving work, many shops are still failing to implement this technology effectively. For consumers, choosing a shop that prioritizes clear, digital communication is increasingly becoming a hallmark of a high-quality service experience.