How Does DealerRater's Rating Actually Work?
Why a Dealer Rating isn’t a simple average
DealerRater’s public Dealer Rating isn’t a plain average of every star rating a dealership has ever received. Per DealerRater’s own published update to its rating calculation, more recent reviews are weighted more heavily than older ones, with the trailing 24 months mattering most — DealerRater ties this directly to average dealership staff turnover of roughly two years, meaning a rating from a salesperson or service advisor no longer at the store shouldn’t carry the same weight as a recent one.
Why a Dealer Rating isn’t a simple average
A dealership also needs a minimum of 5 reviews within that trailing 24-month window before a Dealer Rating is calculated at all. Fall short of that, and the profile shows "Not Yet Rated" instead of a star score — which means a dealership with a thin or stale review history isn’t just under-rated, it may not be showing a rating at all.
Separately, DealerRater also calculates a PowerScore for dealerships that qualify for its Dealer of the Year and Consumer Satisfaction Award programs. PowerScore is a distinct Bayesian ranking built from average star rating, review volume within the calendar year, and response rate — it is not the number shoppers see on a dealer’s profile page, and it exists specifically to rank dealers against each other for awards eligibility.
What actually moves a DealerRater Dealer Rating
- Recency weighting — reviews from the trailing 24 months carry more weight than older ones, reflecting typical staff turnover.
- A 5-review minimum — a dealership needs at least 5 reviews in the past 24 months before any Dealer Rating is calculated; fewer shows as "Not Yet Rated."
- Response rate — factored into the separate PowerScore used for DealerRater’s award programs, not the public star rating itself.
- Guideline compliance — reviews DealerRater removes for violating its Terms of Use or Community Guidelines don’t count toward the rating at all.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. DealerRater review packages start at $110 for up to 5 reviews, scaling to $690 for 50, with monthly billing at 15% off. Pick a package on this page, or try a free example first.
A steady flow of genuine reviews from real sales and service customers within the trailing 24 months, since DealerRater weights recent reviews more heavily and requires at least 5 reviews in that window before any rating shows at all. Professional responses and addressing reviews that genuinely violate DealerRater’s guidelines also matter.