The 36-Point Checklist You
Need If You Are Mandated to
Close Your Dealership Doors
Inventory Management
Arrange for security to make sure inventory is safe
• Consider hourly security checks as well as storing as much inventory as
possible in the service area or the showroom to protect from vandalism, theft
and weather
Do a physical inventory count of all new and used vehicles and ensure that all doors
are locked on each of them
• If possible, retrieve any display and/or loaner vehicles back before you close
Pull an Aged Warranty Receivables report to see if any vehicles are at risk of missing
timeline and ask the OEM for an extended deadline if so
As inventory shipments will continue to arrive, put up proper signage so the delivery
driver knows where the vehicles are to be dropped off and where keys are to be
placed; include directions to call the General Manager's cell phone and alert them
Sales Department
Close out all deals that have been delivered already in the DMS
Make sure all payoffs have been made on trade-in vehicles on behalf of the customer
or the dealership
Ensure any DMV registrations that are being held at the dealer are mailed out prior to
closing
Make sure all managers have access to login to the CRM at home to monitor e-mails
and internet leads to keep in touch with customers until you reopen
Designate managers for certain daily tasks such as checking the dealership's
voicemails, email inbox, etc.
Ensure an F&I manager can remotely log into lending sites such as DealerTrack,
RouteOne, OEM captives, etc. from home
• Banks are still open and there will still be notes in these systems with contract
issues, funding, etc. While there may not be much they can do from home, this
will allow them to prioritize for when the dealership does reopen
If your store is planning on having the team work remotely, create a clear action plan
on what a "virtual dealership" looks like
Service Department
If the service drive will also be closed, make sure to turn off the compressors and
quick lube within the shop to avoid an overhead oil line leak
Ensure all factory and aftermarket warranty claims are submitted prior to closing
Close all active customer repair orders
Ensure all customer vehicle services that are complete get picked up and that the
services are paid for prior to closing
Any vehicle that is in the shop for a longer extensive repair, that is waiting on parts
delivery, etc. should be moved to a secure location such as the service bays
With the current state of the automotive industry evolving by the hour, more and more dealers find
themselves in the unfortunate situation where the government is mandating the temporary closing or
partial shutdown of their businesses. We put together a comprehensive checklist you should start
getting familiar with now to be prepared in case you find yourself with little to no warning from your local
government to have your dealership's doors close as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic.
