As this is the final Franchise Dealer Google Review League for 2024, it provides a year-end snapshot of how dealerships have performed in customer feedback and online reputation. For this edition, we analysed Google reviews from over 4,000 franchise car dealerships across the UK, covering the period from October to December 2024.
At Localise, we believe that Google reviews are not just a reflection of customer satisfaction but a powerful driver of trust, engagement, and sales. In Q4, we’ve seen remarkable improvements from dealerships that have embraced a proactive approach to Google Business Profile (GBP) management—none more impressive than Gravells Kia, which soared 89 places in the league since partnering with Localise!
View the Q4 Google Review League Results
Top 5 Dealerships
This quarter’s top dealerships have raised the bar for excellence in customer service and reputation management. While most remain unchanged, newcomers Gravells Kia Hereford have made their debut in the top five.
Henrys Suzuki Glasgow – 1,056 total reviews – 5 star Rating
Toomey Hyundai Basildon – 462 total reviews – 5 star Rating
Startin Dacia Worcester – 421 total reviews – 5 star Rating
Gravells Kia Hereford – 350 total reviews – 5 star Rating
Lookers Nissan Sunderland – 250 total reviews – 5 star Rating
Top 5 Manufacturers by Average Rating
The following brands maintained their top positions, achieving the highest average ratings once again, just as they did in the Q3 results.
Dacia – 4.8 stars
Aston Martin – 4.8 stars
MG – 4.7 stars
Lexus – 4.7 stars
Hyundai – 4.6 stars
These manufacturers have demonstrated a strong commitment to customer experience, consistently achieving high ratings while also generating a significant volume of new reviews. Their success is a testament to the importance of maintaining excellent service standards across their dealership networks.
Lowest-Rated Manufacturer
This quarter, Land Rover recorded the lowest average rating among manufacturers, standing at 4.1 stars. This suggests that many customers have had mixed or negative experiences with their dealerships, highlighting potential areas for improvement.
Common themes in lower-rated reviews for Land Rover include concerns over reliability, service costs, and customer support responsiveness. Addressing these challenges through improved customer service, better communication, and enhanced service processes could help improve their standing in future rankings.
Dealership Rating Tiers
Understanding where a dealership sits within these tiers provides valuable insight into how they compare against competitors and where strategic efforts should be focused to enhance their online reputation.
4.5+ stars – 40.6% of dealerships
4.0 – 4.5 stars – 52.6% of dealerships
Below 4 stars – 6.8% of dealerships
Did you know? As of Q4, 2024, franchise car dealerships have a lifetime Google review count of 479 on average. Does your dealership sit above or below this benchmark?
Rising Stars
Park’s Toyota Aberdeen achieved the most significant rating improvement, rising 0.6 stars in Q4. With a previous rating of just 3.0 stars, their new 3.6-star rating reflects a strong commitment to enhancing customer experience and service quality.
Gravells Kia: A remarkable climb to the top
Gravells Kia Hereford has achieved an extraordinary leap in the league standings, propelling 89 places to establish itself as a top contender. Since partnering with Localise for Google Business Profile (GBP) management, the dealership has seen a significant increase in review volume and a stronger average rating, enhancing both its visibility and customer trust.
By embracing customer feedback and leveraging our GBP expertise, Gravells Kia Hereford has skyrocketed from 93rd place to an impressive 4th place among top-ranked franchise dealerships. Their star rating has also climbed from 4.9 to a perfect 5.0, reinforcing their reputation for excellence.
This success story highlights the power of strategic GBP management in transforming online presence and driving real business impact.
Key Takeaways for Dealerships
Respond Promptly – Leading dealerships reply to reviews within 24 hours, showing customers they value feedback and care about their experience.
Keep Reviews Flowing – A steady stream of fresh, positive reviews improves rankings and builds trust. Remember, potential customers often overlook reviews older than three months, so consistency is key.
Want to improve your dealerships ranking in the next Google Review League?
Reputation management is more important than ever, and dealerships that actively engage with customer feedback and optimise their online presence will continue to thrive. To support this, we’re launching our brand-new, automotive-focused reputation platform this quarter, designed to help dealerships monitor, manage, and enhance their online reputation more efficiently than ever before.
Want to improve your ranking? Get in touch with our team today!
