Reputation defense · DealerRater

How to Remove a Fake DealerRater Review

A fraudulent DealerRater review can drag down your rating. Here is how to tell a fake from a fair complaint, flag it correctly, and escalate if DealerRater says no.

A single fake review on DealerRater can pull your rating down and reach customers who never hear your side. DealerRater does remove reviews that break its rules, but only when you flag them correctly and make the right case. Acting fast and accurately matters more than acting loudly.

Recognizing a Fake vs. a Negative Review

Under DealerRater's review guidelines, a harsh review from a real customer is allowed, even when you disagree with it. DealerRater (part of Cars.com) is the largest dedicated car-dealer review platform in the US and Canada. Reviews can be removed when they are fake, come from someone who was never a customer, or contain harassment. DealerRater ties reviews to individual employees, so a review that cannot be matched to a real sales or service visit with the named employee is a candidate for dispute.

The Exact Steps to Flag a Review on DealerRater

  1. Log in to your DealerRater dealer account at dealerrater.com.
  2. Navigate to the Reviews section and find the review.
  3. Use the dispute option and provide evidence the reviewer was not a customer.
  4. DealerRater's team reviews disputes — CRM records or appointment history tied to the named employee are the most useful evidence.
  5. You will receive an update by email with the moderation outcome.

What to Do if DealerRater Rejects Your Appeal

DealerRater upholds many reviews on first pass, so a rejection is common. Reply to the decision with any evidence that the review is fraudulent and name the specific guideline it breaks. While the review stands, post a calm, factual public response so future readers see a measured owner rather than an unanswered claim.

Stop Reacting, Start Defending

Most fake reviews are spotted too late, after they have already cost you customers. Speed matters because a review flagged while it is fresh is easier to act on. Saint Aura notifies you whenever a new review lands, so you can review and report a fake right away. It also gives unhappy customers a private feedback path so your team hears about service concerns directly — helping reduce the chance they escalate into a public review.

Collect more authentic DealerRater reviews with Saint Aura

Saint Aura makes it easier for customers to share their real experience — through a QR-based guided flow, in their own language, with an AI-assisted draft they can edit before posting.

Related guides for DealerRater