Car Sales Text Message Templates: 40 Texts for Every Stage

Customers ignore voicemail and skim email, but they read texts. That’s exactly why texting is so easy to burn. One “just checking in!!” too many, one message at 10:30 at night, one text to someone who never said you could, and you’ve lost the customer or created a problem for the store.

Most template lists online come from texting software companies. They’re long on volume and short on the two things that matter: sounding like a person and staying inside the rules.

These 40 are written from the floor. Each one is short, sounds like you, and ends with something easy to answer. The rules come first, because a perfect text sent to the wrong person is still the wrong text.

Texting rules first: consent, opt-out and quiet hours

This isn’t legal advice, and your store’s compliance policy beats anything here. But every rep should know these cold:

• Only text people who opted in. A form with a texting consent box, or a clear yes when you asked on the phone, noted in the CRM. No opt-in, no text. That includes purchased lists, a spouse’s number the customer mentioned, or a number off a trade title.
• Text from the store’s system, not your personal cell. Opt-outs get logged, the conversation stays with the deal, and a STOP actually stops everyone at the store.
• Honor opt-outs immediately. Customers can opt out with STOP, quit, end, cancel, unsubscribe, “please stop texting me,” or by telling you on the phone. Federal rules allow no more than 10 business days to process it. Your standard is the same minute. One short confirmation with no sales pitch is fine, then nothing.
• Respect quiet hours. Federal rules bar marketing texts before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. in the customer’s time zone. Some states are stricter: Florida, Oklahoma and Maryland stop at 8 p.m., and some cap marketing messages at three per 24 hours. A house rule of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the customer’s time zone keeps it simple. Check your state.
• Identify yourself and the store in the first text, with “Reply STOP to opt out.” Add it again whenever you restart a conversation that went quiet.
• One unanswered text a day, max. Two in a row with no reply means you pick up the phone.

First contact texts for new leads

1. Specific car lead

Hi [Name], it’s [your name] at [store]. The white Tucson you asked about is here. Want a quick video of it? Reply STOP to opt out.

2. Model lead, no specific car

Hi [Name], [your name] at [store]. We have five Tucsons in stock right now. Any must-have color or trim so I can narrow it down? Reply STOP to opt out.

3. After your call went to voicemail

Hi [Name], [your name] at [store]. Just left you a voicemail about the Tucson. Is texting easier? Happy to answer anything here. Reply STOP to opt out.

4. Trade-in tool lead

Hi [Name], [your name] at [store]. Got your Camry info. For a real number, how many miles is it at, and any warning lights on? Reply STOP to opt out.

5. Credit application lead

Hi [Name], [your name] at [store]. Got your application and our finance manager is on it. Is a quick call at 12:30 or 5:00 better? Reply STOP to opt out.

6. After-hours lead, next morning

Morning [Name], [your name] at [store]. Saw your note from last night. The Tucson is here. Want the price, a video, or both? Reply STOP to opt out.

7. Phone shopper who asked for pictures

Hi [Name], it’s [your name] from our call. Here’s the Tucson: [link]. What do you think of the interior color? Reply STOP to opt out.

8. Past customer shopping again

Hi [Name], [your name] at [store]. Great to see your name come through again. Replacing the Camry or adding a second car? Reply STOP to opt out.

Appointment setting and confirmation texts

Pair these with the full appointment show rate playbook.

9. Offering two times

I can have it pulled up today at 5:30 or tomorrow at 10:45. Which works better?

10. Right after setting

You’re set for Thu at 4:15 with me. The Tucson will be out front. [Address]. Text me if anything changes.

11. Video confirmation

Here’s the Tucson getting ready for Thursday: [video link]. See you at 4:15.

12. Evening before

All set for tomorrow at 4:15. Is [partner’s name] still coming with you?

13. Morning of

Morning! The Tucson is pulled up and ready for 4:15. Still good?

14. Directions and parking

Park anywhere in front of the main showroom and ask for me at the front desk. Map: [link]

15. Running late

No rush at all, drive safe. I’ll keep it pulled up.

16. No-show, within the hour

No worries about today. I can do 6:15 tonight or 10:30 tomorrow. Which is better?

Texts after the visit for unsold buyers

Only send 20, 22 and 23 when they’re true.

17. Same-day thank you

Thanks for your time today, [Name]. As promised, I’ll have the Limited trim numbers to you by noon tomorrow.

18. Delivering what you promised

Here’s what I promised: the Limited is $1,850 more than the SEL and adds the heated seats and bigger screen you liked. Want to drive one?

19. The partner who wasn’t there

Would a short video of the Tucson help [partner’s name] see it? Happy to answer their questions too.

20. Day 2: something new

A white SEL like the one you drove just came in with fewer miles. Want pictures before it hits the website?

21. Day 4: the honest question

Honest question: was it the car, the numbers or the timing? Any answer helps.

22. New incentive

Heads up: there’s a new incentive on the Tucson this month that could change your numbers. Want me to rerun them?

23. Trade update

Our used car manager is short on Camrys right now. Want a fresh appraisal on yours?

24. The break-up text

I don’t want to be a pest. Should I close your file, or keep an eye out for the right Tucson for you?

Sold customer texts: delivery, reviews, referrals

25. Delivery morning

Big day! Your Tucson is getting detailed now. Bring your license, insurance card and both Camry keys. See you at 3.

26. Night of delivery

Congratulations again, [Name]. If anything comes up tonight with phone pairing or anything else, text me.

27. Day 3 check-in

How’s the Tucson treating you? Any setting you want me to walk you through?

28. Review request

Thanks again for buying from us. If you have a minute, an honest review helps other people find us: [link]

Ask every sold customer, not just the happy ones, and never offer anything in exchange for a review.

29. Referral ask, two to three weeks in

Quick favor: if anyone you know is shopping, send them my way. I’ll take care of them the way I took care of you.

30. First service reminder

Your first service is coming up around [mileage]. Want me to connect you with [advisor’s name] to book it?

31. 30-day check-in

One month in! Anything I can help with on the Tucson?

32. One-year anniversary

Happy one year with the Tucson, [Name]. Thanks again for trusting us. Anything I can do for you?

Service and equity texts

Service customers need their own opt-in too, usually captured at write-up.

33. Service appointment confirmation

Hi [Name], [advisor’s name] at [store] service. You’re set for Tue at 8:00 for your oil change and rotation. Reply STOP to opt out.

34. Vehicle ready

Your Tucson is ready for pickup. We’re open until 6, and your paperwork is at the service desk.

35. Declined work, within 48 hours

Following up on the front brakes we flagged Tuesday. Want me to hold a spot? I can do Thu at 8 or Fri at 10.

A declined-service case study found the strongest response to these follow-ups comes inside 48 hours. More in declined service follow-up.

36. Open recall

There’s an open recall on your Tucson that we can fix at no cost. Want me to book it?

37. Appraisal during service

While your car’s in service, want a free appraisal? No pressure, it’s just good to know what it’s worth.

38. Lease end, five months out

Your lease ends in about five months. Want to look at your options now, while you have time to choose?

39. Service to sales introduction

Hi [Name], I’m [your name] in sales. [Advisor’s name] mentioned you might be thinking about something bigger. Want me to pull one up while your car’s in the shop?

40. Older vehicle check-in

Your Camry passed 100,000 miles at your last visit. Want a quick look at what it’s worth before the next big service?

Texts to never send

• “Just checking in!” Nothing new, nothing to answer. The text that gets answered always has a reason and a question.
• Credit or payment promises. “You’re pre-approved!” or “Payments as low as…” belong to your finance office and come with federal and state disclosure rules.
• Fake urgency. “Three people are looking at this car” had better be true. Customers screenshot texts.
• Texts to anyone who didn’t opt in, including purchased lists and numbers you found.
• Group texts that show customers’ numbers to strangers.
• Walls of text, all caps, or anything after quiet hours.
• Anything after an opt-out except the one confirmation.

Quick checklist

• Opt-in on file before the first text.
• Name, store and “Reply STOP to opt out” in the first text.
• STOP, quit, cancel or “stop texting me”: opt them out the same minute.
• Texts go out inside your quiet-hours window, in the customer’s time zone.
• Under 30 words, one question.
• Two unanswered texts in a row, pick up the phone.
• No credit, rate or payment promises by text.
• Every text says something new.

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to text car sales leads?

Yes, with consent. Text people who opted in, identify yourself, honor any opt-out right away and stay inside quiet hours. Rules vary by state and keep changing, so have your compliance manager approve your texting policy. This article isn’t legal advice.

What time can a car salesperson text a customer?

Federal rules bar marketing texts before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m. in the customer’s time zone, and some states, including Florida, Oklahoma and Maryland, stop at 8 p.m. A house rule of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. local is simple to follow. Confirm your state’s rules.

How many texts should I send a new lead?

In the first three days, no more than one unanswered text a day, and call after two with no reply. Once they answer, text like a normal conversation. After the first week, drop to one every week or two, always with a real reason.

What to do tomorrow morning

Load your 10 favorite texts from this list into your CRM, rewritten in your own words. Then check your last 20 sent texts against the checklist and rewrite anything that says “just checking in.”

For customers who would rather read than text, the email templates are next.