I worked at an independent car repair shop in the Midwest for many years. Over time, I found that dealerships often charged top dollar for routine maintenance that is surprisingly inexpensive and easy to handle on your own or at a smaller, local facility. Here are several of the most frequently overpriced services they push.

One of the most egregious markups is the cabin air filter replacement

Dealers routinely price the job at $100 to $200. The generic replacement filter usually costs between $19 and $30. Many cars allow you to pop out the old filter and click in a new one in under five minutes.

Dealers can justify the high price by citing OEM parts and labor, but those rates reflect inflated margins, not complexity. Reddit users regularly report dealership quotes above $100 while DIY replacement takes just seconds and often costs under $30.

Engine air filter replacements follow a similar pattern

Dealerships may bundle this service into other maintenance items and quote $75 or more. You can buy them online for around $10 to $25, though. Like the cabin air filter, you can swap most in a few minutes.

Spark plugs are another area you’ll find inflated costs

Depending on your make and model, these cost just a few dollars each. For most vehicles, parts run between $2 and $25 per plug.

Labor at an independent shop generally falls between $100 and $350, depending on whether the car is a 4-cyinder with easy access or, say, a six or eight-cylinder. Larger engines might “hide” a bank of spark plugs under the intake. This makes for a longer replacement time.

Dealership quotes often climb to $400 or more just for the labor, especially on engines with difficult access, luxury models, or required diagnostics. Many vehicle owners have shared experiences of thousand‑dollar quotes for plug changes that cost far less elsewhere.

Wiper blades are a routine rip‑off

Dealers might charge $50 to $100 for blades and installation. Yet premium blades sell for $15 to $25 each, and even a simple auto parts store will often install them free or for a small tip.

Headlight and taillight bulbs are another service that dealerships mark up heavily

A new bulb typically costs $15 to $25. The dealer may include high hourly labor rates and access fees that push the bill over $100, even when no special tools or diagnostics are needed.

You might also get upsold on cabin ozone treatments or evaporator cleaning with the cabin air filter swap

The cabin air filter alone costs around $10 to $20, yet dealers sometimes bundle it with “air system treatment” for $150 to $200. Many customers balk when they discover the line items, but dealer packages still persist.

While you might not want to mess with air system treatments, lots of drivers DIY them using ready-to-use products at any parts store.

Dealerships inflate prices for these common services because they rely on high overhead, sealed warranties, and captive customers

OEM parts are often marked up 300 to 400% over wholesale. Labor rates usually run above $100 per hour, even when the job takes only minutes. Dealers also bank on the convenience factor and trust that many customers won’t question line‑item costs.

How to save money on quick car fixes

First, review your owner’s manual to know what maintenance is due. Then price parts online and compare quotes from reputable independent shops. 

Most filters and bulbs are straightforward DIY jobs. YouTube tutorials exist for nearly every model. 

If you prefer a mechanic, an independent shop often charges half what a dealer will, yet uses quality parts and skilled labor.

Look, dealerships are convenient, clean, and operate like a doctor’s office. They are especially useful when warranty coverage or diagnostic equipment is essential. 

But for basic, low-risk fixes (filters, plugs, bulbs), low-cost alternatives exist. A little research or basic DIY effort can save you anywhere from $50 to literally hundreds per visit. Over time, that adds up.