Perfecting your listings & building trust online

With over 90% of New Zealand car buyers starting their vehicle search online in 2025, your digital presence is more important than ever. Great vehicle listings are no longer just helpful - they're essential to attracting leads and closing deals.

Whether you're listing on Need A Car, Trade Me, your dealership’s website, or social media, a strong online listing and trustworthy digital profile can set your dealership apart in a crowded market.

Let’s look at what today’s car buyers expect and how to deliver.

What makes a high-performing vehicle listing in 2025?

Buyers are more informed and selective than ever. A great vehicle listing should:

Tell a compelling story

Today’s buyers aren’t just looking for features - they’re looking for reasons. Instead of a bullet-point list, write in full sentences and focus on benefits. Ask yourself:

• Who is this car perfect for? (families? adventurers? tradies?)

• What are its standout features?

• Is there anything unique about its history or condition?

Example:

“This NZ-new SUV has been loved by one careful owner and comes with a full service history. With a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, it’s an ideal family car - plenty of boot space for weekend trips and ISOFIX-ready for car seats.”

Be honest and transparent

Transparency builds trust. Be upfront about minor imperfections and include clear interior and exterior photos from multiple angles. A full disclosure upfront reduces time-wasting and builds buyer confidence.

Include the right info

Buyers consistently say they want to see:

• Vehicle history (ownership, servicing, WOF)

• Features & safety ratings

• Fuel economy & running costs

• Finance options

• Warranty coverage

Build trust before they walk in

In 2025, many buyers will decide whether to visit your dealership based entirely on your online reputation. That means:

⭐ Reviews matter

Reviews are no longer optional, they’re a core part of the buying journey. Platforms like BuyerScore give your dealership credibility and visibility across sites like Need A Car, Trade Me, and your own website.

• 73% of buyers say they’ve ruled out a dealership based solely on poor or missing reviews.

• As a dealer, make sure you're asking for reviews after every sale and responding to reviews/ feedback where appropriate.

Sell your dealership too

Your listings should include a short paragraph about your dealership:

• What makes you different? (family-owned, multilingual staff, late-night hours?)

• What services do you offer? (finance, trade-ins, warranties?)

• What’s your reputation? (years in business, customer satisfaction rating?)

Pro tip: Don’t assume buyers know what you offer. A 2025 study by Trade Me found 1 in 3 car buyers still didn't know their dealership offered finance. 

Quick listing checklist

Before you hit publish, ask yourself:

✅ Have I written a natural, benefit-focused description?
✅ Have I answered the questions a buyer would ask in person?
✅ Is the pricing clear and competitive?
✅ Are my photos high-quality, well-lit, and honest?
✅ Is my dealership clearly presented as trustworthy and helpful?
✅ Have I included recent reviews and links to my rating?

Today’s car buyer doesn’t need to visit ten dealerships - they do their homework online. If your listings and online presence don’t build trust, you’ll be ruled out before you even know they were looking.

Perfect your listings. Tell your story. Earn their trust.
Let your digital showroom do the heavy lifting - so your physical one can focus on closing the deal.