Auto Shop Marketing: Acquire New Customers with an Oil Change Offer on Groupon

Summary:

Auto repair shops and mechanics can drive sales and win over new clients by marketing an oil change offer on Groupon. There's no upfront fee to get started, and you only pay when you get customers. Here are two key ways your auto shop can get the most value from an oil change Groupon campaign:

1. Maximize Spending: Use the visit as an opportunity to offer additional inspections and services beyond the initial oil change.

2. Build Loyalty: Treat the oil change as an opportunity to make a first impression, collect contact info, and encourage full-price visits in the future.

For auto repair shops and quick lube businesses, a routine service like an oil change is a powerful first step in building a long-term relationship. The oil change itself may not be your main source of profit, but it's the most reliable way to get a new vehicle and driver into your service bay.

Groupon is a powerful digital tool to help your auto shop acquire these new customers at scale and on a pay-for-results basis, helping you fill dead time with appointments.

On average, an oil change offer on Groupon in the US gets:

15,000+ impressions
/ month

10 sales
/ month

$5,500+ revenue
/ month

Here's how you can maximize the success out of your automotive advertising with an oil change offer on Groupon.

1. Encourage Additional Spending 

A common mistake an auto business can make is treating the oil change as a standalone transaction, instead of a low-cost entry point to diagnose and sell high-margin services. Your success with Groupon will depend on how effectively your team converts the initial service into future higher-value work.

• Implement a Comprehensive Inspection: Use the oil change appointment to perform a transparent Multi-Point Inspection (MPI). Check essential safety items like brakes, tires, batteries, fluids, and belts.
• Show, Don't Tell: Use modern tools (photos or video via text/email) to clearly show the customer what a dirty air filter or worn brake pad looks like. This builds trust and validates the need for additional service, immediately increasing the average ticket size beyond the voucher price.
• Present a Maintenance Plan: Provide the customer with a documented list of immediate needs and future recommendations (e.g., "Tires will need replacing in 6-8 months"). This positions your shop as a trusted advisor, not just a repair outlet.

2. Build Long-Term Loyalty

A Groupon oil change customer should never be treated like a one-time transaction. They are a vetted, highly motivated lead. The goal is to move them from the Groupon platform into your own customer loyalty program.

• Capture Contact Info Immediately: Upon booking or arrival, ensure you collect the customer’s name, phone number, email, and vehicle make/model/mileage. This is critical for future personalized service reminders.

• Incentivize the Next Visit: As the customer pays for their service, offer an immediate, on-the-spot incentive to book their next appointment or sign up for your shop’s email loyalty club. Examples include:

  • "Schedule your next oil change with us today and receive a complimentary tire rotation."

  • "Sign up for our email newsletter and we'll send you a coupon for 10% off your next scheduled maintenance service."

• Solicit Reviews: Encourage your satisfied Groupon customers to leave reviews on high-visibility platforms like Google and Yelp, which are essential for boosting your shop’s overall online reputation and attracting even more full-price customers.

By viewing the initial oil change offer on Groupon not as a discount, but as an efficient tool to acquire new clients earn loyalty, you can boost the effectiveness of your automotive marketing and grow your auto repair business.

Ready to join the 1 million+ merchants who've worked with Groupon?