Testimonial Request Sequence for Used Car Dealers Email Guide
Why Testimonial Request Sequence Emails Fail for Used Car Dealers (And How to Fix Them)
Your lot is full, but your online reputation feels empty. You've invested in great inventory.
Your sales team is top-notch. You deliver a fantastic buying experience.
Then a potential buyer checks your reviews. They see a handful of generic ratings, or worse, nothing recent. **That's not a product problem.
That's a testimonial problem.** Many dealers find that even their happiest clients rarely speak up without a prompt. A few scattered reviews can't capture the full story of your dealership.
Your future clients need social proof, strategically presented, to build trust and confidence. That's what a testimonial request sequence does.
It makes it easy for your satisfied clients to share their positive experiences, turning their words into powerful assets for your business. The templates below are designed to do just that.
They're structured to move your audience from "satisfied client" to "vocal advocate" without feeling pushy or awkward.
The Complete 3-Email Testimonial Request Sequence for Used Car Dealers
As an used car dealer, your clients trust your recommendations. This 3-email sequence helps you introduce valuable tools without sounding like a salesperson.
The Check-in
Ask how things are going and gauge satisfaction
Hi [First Name],
Hope you're loving your new [CAR MAKE/MODEL]! It's been a little while since you drove it off our lot, and we wanted to make sure everything is perfect.
Our goal is always to ensure every client leaves happy and confident in their purchase. Your experience with us, from browsing to financing, is important.
Is there anything at all we can do to help you settle in? Or perhaps a question about your new vehicle?
Just hit reply and let us know. We're here for you.
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email is non-salesy. It uses reciprocity, offering help first, which makes the subsequent request for a testimonial feel less transactional. It also opens a dialogue, allowing you to address any minor issues privately before asking for a public statement, protecting your reputation.
The Request
Ask for a testimonial with specific, easy prompts
Hi [First Name],
We're so glad to hear you're enjoying your [CAR MAKE/MODEL]! That's exactly what we aim for with every client.
Your positive experience means a lot to us, and it truly helps others in our community who are looking for a reliable vehicle and a straightforward buying process. Would you be willing to share a quick testimonial about your time with us?
It doesn't need to be long, just a few sentences about what stood out. To make it easy, consider these questions: • What were you looking for in an used car, and how did we help you find it? • What did you appreciate most about your experience at our dealership? • Would you recommend us to a friend, and why?
You can simply reply to this email, and we'll handle the rest. Thank you for considering!
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email frames the request as a benefit to others, not just the dealer. Providing specific prompts reduces cognitive load, making it easier for the client to formulate their thoughts and overcome the "blank page" problem. It also subtly guides them to cover key positive aspects of the dealership.
The Gentle Nudge
Follow up with those who have not responded
Hi [First Name],
Hope you're still loving your [CAR MAKE/MODEL]! We recently reached out about sharing your experience with our dealership.
We know life gets busy, so no worries if you haven't had a chance to reply. If you still have a moment, a short testimonial really makes a difference for families in our community searching for their next vehicle.
Remember, you can just reply to this email with your thoughts on what you appreciated about your purchase or our team. It only takes a minute.
Thanks again for being a valued client!
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This is a low-pressure reminder. It uses the principle of mere-exposure effect, seeing the request again increases the likelihood of action. It reiterates the ease of providing a testimonial and the value to others, reinforcing the altruistic motivation.
4 Testimonial Request Sequence Mistakes Used Car Dealers Make
| Don't Do This | Do This Instead |
|---|---|
✕ Waiting for testimonials to appear organically. | Proactively implement a structured request sequence after every sale. |
✕ Asking vague questions like "How was your experience?" | Provide specific prompts that guide clients to highlight key benefits and unique selling points. |
✕ Only asking for reviews on third-party sites. | Collect testimonials directly that you can control and feature prominently on your own website and marketing materials. |
✕ Ignoring negative feedback or not providing an easy way to give it privately. | Offer a clear channel for private feedback *before* asking for public testimonials, allowing you to resolve issues and protect your online reputation. |
Testimonial Request Sequence Timing Guide for Used Car Dealers
When you send matters as much as what you send.
The Check-in
Ask how things are going and gauge satisfaction
The Request
Ask for a testimonial with specific, easy prompts
The Gentle Nudge
Follow up with those who have not responded
Send after a win, project completion, or positive feedback.
Customize Testimonial Request Sequence for Your Used Car Dealer Specialty
Adapt these templates for your specific industry.
Beginners
- Start by asking your most enthusiastic clients, the ones who thanked you profusely or referred a friend. Their willingness to share will be higher.
- Begin with a simple email reply request. Don't worry about fancy forms or video initially.
- Track who you've asked and who has responded using a basic spreadsheet to ensure you follow up consistently.
Intermediate Practitioners
- Integrate your testimonial request into your post-sale CRM flow. Automate the initial check-in email to ensure consistency.
- Consider offering a small incentive for testimonials, like an entry into a monthly gift card drawing, to boost response rates.
- Create a dedicated landing page on your website where clients can easily submit their testimonials, including a photo if they wish.
Advanced Professionals
- Experiment with video testimonials. Offer to record a short, casual clip on their phone or yours, or provide prompts for them to record themselves.
- Segment your client list based on vehicle type or buying experience, then tailor your testimonial prompts to those specific aspects.
- Actively use scheduling software to book short testimonial calls with key clients, making it a personalized experience.
Industry Specialists
- Focus on the *experience* and *service* beyond the vehicle itself. Ask about the personalized attention, exclusive inventory, or unique financing solutions that set you apart.
- Highlight the specific expertise of your team. For example, if you specialize in classic cars, ask clients to comment on your restoration knowledge.
- Encourage clients to mention specific team members by name in their testimonials, building individual trust and recognition.
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