In 1998, the total number of garages in Finland was approximately 4,300. Garages associated with car dealerships are more active in replacing old equipment and buying new equipment than the smaller independent service shops. Separate tire shops, and private and public vehicle inspection stations are other groups investing quite heavily into new equipment. Most purchases are done independently however, some tire shop chains have centralized their purchasing. Currently, there are over 100 vehicle inspection stations in Finland.
Price is the number one purchasing criteria.
Quality and after-sales service come second. There is also a strong emphasis on personal selling. Long-term relationships are highly valued. Consumers have a strong belief that repair shops associated with car dealerships are more reliable and knowledgeable than independent garages. Independent garages are often chosen for the personalized service they offer to their customers.