Dealer playbook

How dealerships sell on CarStrel, end to end.

Sale, rental, and auction from one account. Use this guide to stock the lot, run your lead desk, and close with the same platform top yards rely on.

AuctionsRentalsSales

Three ways to list

One dealership. Every way you move metal.

Showroom sale, rental fleet, or timed auction: same dealer inbox, same payment rails, same team visibility. That is why yards choose CarStrel over posting-only tools.

Auctions

Competitive bidding for maximum prices.

Set starting bid and optional reserve price
Time-limited auctions create urgency
Often results in higher final prices
Access to thousands of active bidders

Learn more about auctions

Rentals

Recurring revenue from vehicle rentals.

Set daily, weekly, or monthly rates
Calendar-based availability management
Recurring income from the same vehicle
Ideal for fleet management

Sales

Fixed-price listings for quick sales.

Set your asking price upfront
Immediate purchase option for buyers
Faster transaction process
Perfect for quick inventory turnover

Walkthroughs

How each listing type works, end-to-end.

Detailed step-by-step guides for each listing type. Pick a tab and follow it in order.

Auctions process

Competitive bidding for maximum prices.

01
Prepare your vehicle
Make sure your vehicle is ready with documentation and high-quality photos.
- Take high-quality photos from multiple angles (interior, exterior, engine).
- Complete vehicle inspection and condition assessment.
- Gather all documentation (title, registration, service history).
- Note any damage, repairs, or special features.
- Determine the condition tier (clean, salvage, rebuilt, etc.).
02
Set auction parameters
Configure auction settings to attract bidders and protect your interests.
- Starting bid: the minimum opening bid (set competitively).
- Reserve price: optional hidden minimum you'll accept.
- Buy now price: optional instant purchase (disappears after first bid).
- Bid increment: minimum amount each new bid must rise.
- Auction duration: typical window is 3–7 days.
03
Create & publish listing
Fill out the auction listing form and publish.
- Select "Auction" as your listing type.
- Enter comprehensive vehicle details (make, model, year, mileage, VIN).
- Upload multiple high-quality photos showcasing all angles.
- Write a description highlighting features, condition, and history.
- Review every detail and publish.
04
Monitor bidding activity
Track bids in real-time and manage the auction throughout its run.
- Monitor bid activity in real-time through your dashboard.
- Receive notifications when the reserve price is met.
- Respond to bidder questions promptly to maintain interest.
- Track bidding patterns and bidder engagement.
05
Complete sale & transfer
Finalise the transaction once the auction ends and reserve is met.
- If the reserve is met, you'll be notified of the winning bidder.
- Complete payment processing through SafePay.
- Arrange vehicle pickup or delivery with the buyer.
- Transfer ownership documents upon payment confirmation.

Dealership management

The dealer stack, not a patchwork of apps.

Inventory, CRM, payments, marketing, and team roles in one dashboard. Built for principals who are tired of losing deals between WhatsApp, Excel, and classifieds.

Inventory management

Track all vehicles in one place
Bulk listing creation
Quick status updates
Advanced search & filters

CRM & lead management

Centralised customer database
Lead scoring & prioritisation
Automated follow-up sequences
Communication history tracking

Analytics & reporting

Sales performance metrics
Revenue tracking & forecasting
Inventory turnover analysis
Custom reports & exports

Payment processing

SafePay payment protection
Multiple payment methods
Automated payout scheduling
Transaction history & receipts

Marketing tools

Promoted listings & featured ads
Social media integration
Email marketing campaigns
Performance tracking

Team management

Multi-user access & roles
Permission-based access control
Activity tracking & audit logs
Per-user performance metrics

Custom site builder

Build your own branded website with a custom subdomain to showcase your dealership.

Custom subdomain (yourdealership.carstrel.com)
Drag-and-drop builder, no code required
Brand customisation: logo, colours, content
Auto-sync inventory across your site
SEO-optimised by default
Mobile responsive out of the box

Why CarStrel

Why dealers choose CarStrel over everything else.

More ways to move stock

Serious yards need more than one channel:

Auctions when competitive bidding beats a fixed tag
Rental income from fleet units between sales
Showroom and online buyers in one pipeline

Buyers where dealers already sell

Reach buyers on CarStrel and your own channels:

Marketplace exposure plus your branded site
Web, mobile, and app touchpoints
Listings structured for search and discovery

Close with confidence

Payments and paperwork dealers expect:

SafePay protection until handover
M-Pesa and card on the same flow
Support when a deal needs a human

Less admin, more selling

Your team spends time with buyers, not tools:

Bulk listing and inventory updates
One inbox instead of scattered chats
Automated follow-up on WhatsApp and email

Your yard, your brand

Look like the dealership buyers trust:

Branded dealer site with live inventory
Your logo, colours, and copy
Leads flow back into the same CRM

Ready to grow your dealership?

Start listing your vehicles today. Use auctions, rentals, and sales together to maximise revenue and reach more customers.