What is AutoTrader Connect?
AutoTrader's programming interface for third-party systems. Instead of uploading a spreadsheet or typing each car into the AutoTrader portal, your software talks to AutoTrader directly: creating adverts, changing prices, marking cars sold and fetching the enquiries. AutoTrader also exposes its vehicle data (taxonomy, specification, valuations in its Retail Check product) through the same interface, which is why some systems can fill a car's details from a registration via AutoTrader.
What do I need from AutoTrader before it works?
| An advertising package | Connect works on top of a paid AutoTrader retailer package. Software does not replace it, and the package is a separate AutoTrader contract. |
|---|---|
| Your advertiser id | The number AutoTrader uses for your dealership; it is on your AutoTrader account. |
| Connect enabled for your software | Ask your AutoTrader account manager to enable the Connect integration for the provider you use (for DealerSoftware, name it). AutoTrader approves the link on their side. |
| Matching stock | Cars already live on AutoTrader are matched to your stock by registration on the first sync, so nothing is double-listed. |
What stays in sync?
- New cars and their photos, specification, description and price, pushed as you publish them.
- Price changes, in minutes rather than on the next daily upload.
- Sold and withdrawn cars, removed from AutoTrader when you mark them.
- Enquiries from AutoTrader, delivered into your lead inbox against the right car.
- Stock you added on AutoTrader directly, pulled into your system.
What does not sync: your AutoTrader package, its price and the number of adverts it allows. If you exceed the package, AutoTrader queues or rejects the extra cars and your software shows the error.
What is the difference between Connect and a feed?
A feed is a file your software exports on a schedule and a marketplace imports, usually once or twice a day; CarGurus, AA Cars, Carwow and Cazoo work that way. Connect is a live two-way link. The practical difference is speed (a price change reaches AutoTrader in minutes) and the return path (leads and AutoTrader-side edits come back). DealerSoftware uses Connect for AutoTrader and feeds for the others; see integrations.
Common problems
- Cars not appearing: usually the Connect link is not yet enabled on AutoTrader's side, or the package advert limit is reached.
- Photos rejected: AutoTrader has minimum sizes and rejects images with plates or watermarks in some packages; the error comes back into your system.
- Prices showing wrong: check whether the price you entered is the advertised price or the price plus VAT for a VAT-qualifying car; the two are sent differently.
- Duplicate adverts after switching software: the first sync matches by registration; ask your new provider to run that match before publishing.