Why Auto Repair Shops Leave Marketing Agencies

After years of working with auto repair shops and analyzing every client who left, we’ve narrowed it down to five key reasons. And once you see them clearly, you’ll start to understand why some shops leave and why the ones that stay tend to win.

1. They Don’t See a Return on Investment

This is the number one reason shops leave. If you’re spending thousands of dollars every month on marketing and the phone isn’t ringing, you’re right to ask questions.

Sometimes it really is that simple. The campaigns aren’t driving leads. The website isn’t converting. The ad budget is burning, and nothing’s coming through the door. Most of the time, we catch these signs early through meetings hosted by our Client Success Managers. Other times, the issue can go unnoticed. In those cases, we own it and assess what needs to be done to make improvements. 

But here’s the thing: not every agency does this. Some will string the client along, saying things like “just give it more time” or “the algorithm is shifting.” That might be true in some cases, especially for brand-new ad campaigns or your SEO rankings right after a major Google Update. But there comes a point where results are results, and you’re paying for results.

We’ve had situations where a service just wasn’t working for a shop. They weren’t seeing a return. In those cases, we recommend shutting the service down and reallocating the budget to another service or changing the approach entirely. That’s part of our integrity promise. We’re not here to cash checks for work that isn’t getting you somewhere.

2. They Feel Like It’s Not Working (Even When It Is)

This one’s harder to spot because on paper, everything can look great.

Maybe the shop is getting 30 to 40 calls per month from ads. Website traffic is increasing. SEO rankings are improving. Leads are coming in.

But the shop owner says it feels slow. The bays are empty. The phone seems quiet. It just doesn’t feel like it’s clicking.

In this case, the issue usually isn’t marketing, but operational. Most often, we see that it’s the way leads are handled. Maybe calls aren’t being answered. Maybe the service advisor isn’t converting and is selling with their own wallet. Perhaps the shop’s hours or staffing simply can’t keep up with the increased demand. We’ve had shops where 70% of the calls from ads weren’t even being answered. That’s a waste of money, and we don’t want you to waste your money.

It’s like running a killer sales campaign and then locking the doors during business hours. The opportunity is there, but the conversion isn’t happening.

We go as far as listening to phone calls from ads every month, tracking form completions, and reviewing every lead source to prove what’s happening. We’ve even had meetings where a shop owner’s coach joins us to review calls together and see if there is improvement needed on the shop’s side. Sometimes that’s what it takes to help the shop owner realize the marketing is doing its job, but something else is broken in the process.

3. They Expected Faster Results

Let’s set this straight: good marketing doesn’t work overnight.

If you expect to turn on ads and double your car count next week, you’re going to be disappointed. SEO takes months to gain traction. Even the best campaigns need time to test, refine, and optimize. And when a shop leaves after 30 or 60 days, they’re walking away before the strategy ever had a chance to work.

Think of it like doing diagnostics on a complex drivability issue. You don’t just throw a part at it. You run tests. You gather data. You build a strategy. And only then do you repair the root problem.

Marketing works the same way. Strategy, patience, and execution over time. That’s how you win.

We’ve had clients admit they were ready to quit at the 90-day mark because their ads hadn’t turned their shop numbers around. But they stayed, and by month six, they were booked out two weeks in advance. It’s not magic, it’s just letting your strategies mature.

4. They Get Sold on Something Else

Every shop owner has gotten the call. Someone promises you better leads for less money. They tear apart your current marketing, show you all the things “wrong” with it, and pitch you a better, cheaper solution.

Sometimes, the pitch is just good enough to pull you away.

We don’t fight that. It’s part of the journey. But here’s what happens more often than not: the shop leaves, signs with the new company, and a few months later realizes they downgraded.

We’ve had clients come back and say things like, “I didn’t realize how much you were doing until it was gone.” We’ve had shops apologize for leaving. And honestly, we appreciate the honesty.

What we do in those cases is welcome them back and pick up where we left off. No guilt trip. Just renewed focus. One thing that is important to note, though, is that swapping between marketing partners can cause your results to waver since campaigns are being turned on and off. 

5. They Try to Do It In-House

As shops grow, it’s natural to want more control over your marketing. And sometimes, bringing it in-house makes sense. We’ve even encouraged it, especially for social media, where someone inside the shop can show real-time photos, team wins, and culture that connects with your audience.

But here’s the problem: most shops don’t hire a dedicated marketing person. They hand it to a service advisor or tech who’s already slammed. Or they let their cousin or a friend of a friend give it a shot.

Next thing you know, the content stops. SEO tanks. The website goes untouched. And the shop starts feeling the drop in visibility and new business.

In-house marketing can work. But it takes the right person, the right time investment, and the right knowledge. Otherwise, you’re better off with a team of specialists focused on growing your business while you focus on running it.