In the current economic climate, running a dealership isn’t easy. Between cautious buyers, rising costs, and tighter margins, it can feel like every month is a fight just to stay ahead. Many dealers are looking for new ways to keep revenue flowing without putting extra pressure on clients who are already price sensitive.
The good news, and quite fortunately so, there are other ways to grow your business and all it takes is a turn into your very own service department. You see, this wing holds untapped potential and with the right strategies, you can grow this revenue stream in ways that build trust, strengthen client loyalty, and keep your bottom line healthy – without ever having to raise prices.
Introduce Value-Added Services
It’s Business 101… Offering value-add services has the power to differentiate your business, attract new customers, and increase loyalty to your dealership by providing unique features, superior customer service, or convenience that your competitors don’t. This also boosts your dealership’s perceived value, allowing improved sales and sustainable long-term growth.
So, simple additions like vehicle health checks, battery testing, or seasonal Tyre inspections create opportunities to upsell without pushing clients too hard. Not only do these services build trust and can lead to larger repairs down the line.
Promote Service Bundles
There’s wisdom to packaging common services together. For instance, bundling oil changes, brake checks, and wheel alignments together encourages clients to book more than one service at a time. In short, bundles are easy to market and make the client feel as though they are getting more value.
Invest In Client Reminders
We don’t have to tell you this, but missed services means missed revenue. What you can to avoid this tragic situation is by automating SMS or email reminders dispatched to your clients. This simple step will keep your dealership top of mind and improve service retention rates.
Train Staff In Upselling With Care
We can’t think of a single industry in which clients actively want to feel pressured to take out additional services or products, and quite often all it takes is sufficient training. A well-trained service advisor can highlight real benefits of viewing your selection of credited vehicles that have undergone rigorous testing. These vehicles typically come with a higher price tag, but the 125-multi-point check performed by qualified technicians gives additional peace of mind that is hard to beat.
Whether it’s your credited selection or the safety impact of replacing worn tyres, this approach strengthens loyalty while generating revenue. The key is to ensure that your team is supported with the right training in order to help clients and not aggressively push them.
The Takeaway
You do not have to raise labour rates or parts pricing to grow your dealership’s service income. By focusing on value, convenience, and communication, you can increase revenue while reinforcing client trust.
As you grow your service revenue, remember that credibility matters. Clients are more likely to trust recommendations and return for repeat business when your dealership is backed by reputable partners. For instance, if your dealership has joined the AA Certified Pre-Owned dealership network, you can highlight that your vehicles meet the stringent AA accreditation standards reinforces that you stand for quality and transparency, not just sales. It gives clients the confidence to keep coming back for both vehicle purchases and after-sales care.
If you’re ready to buy a pre-owned vehicle with confidence, then click here to find a AA Certified Pre-Owned Dealer close to you.