---
title: "Quick Guide: AutoTrader Feed"
description: "This guide outlines the critical differences and support procedures for the new **AutoTrader (AT) feed**. This process is fundamentally different from all other VMG feeds and requires a shift in how we manage customer expectations. ##### Key Difference: Direct API…"
url: "https://vmgexcellence.co.za/docs/understanding-the-autotrader-feed/"
updated: "2026-03-11"
category: VMG ADD ONS DEPT
tags:
  - VMG Addons
  - VMG Feeds
---

# Quick Guide: AutoTrader Feed

This guide outlines the critical differences and support procedures for the new **AutoTrader (AT) feed**. This process is fundamentally different from all other VMG feeds and requires a shift in how we manage customer expectations.

##### Key Difference: Direct API Submission

**All other VMG feeds** send vehicle data to a VMG-controlled endpoint, which aggregators fetch. When a user clicks **Update Web** in VMG Webmaster, the endpoint updates **in real-time**, and we can see that data.

- **The AutoTrader feed is different.** We submit vehicle data **directly into their API**.
- **The Challenge:** The moment data leaves VMG Webmaster, **we lose visibility and control**. We cannot see what happens to the data within the AT system.

##### Support Challenge & Expectation Management

Customers will contact us about issues that are **outside of our control**. Frontline support must be aware of these issues and **MANAGE USER EXPECTATIONS** accordingly.

If a vehicle is "on Web" in VMG Webmaster but not on AutoTrader, the issue is almost certainly on their side.

- **Timeframes:** All issues below require **DREAN to contact AutoTrader** for resolution. **We cannot promise any timeframes** for how long an issue will take to resolve.

##### Required: User Training & Preparation

The most effective way to minimize AutoTrader issues is to ensure customers are properly trained to use VMG Webmaster. We expect support to reinforce training on **perfectly preparing vehicles for the web**.

Inefficient Scenario (Must be avoided):

1. Customer calls support because a vehicle isn't showing.
2. Support spends unnecessary time troubleshooting.
3. We discover it's an AT rejection issue (see below).
4. DREAN has to contact Frontline/User to fix, resulting in re-uploading time.

##### The Cause: AutoTrader Moderation (Rejection Triggers)

AutoTrader has a team that manually or automatically checks every uploaded car. A car will be put into **MODERATION** (meaning **not displayed** on AutoTrader) if it triggers any of the following issues:

*note: VMG Webmaster currently shows these vehicles as "on web".*

###### **Vehicle Data Issues**

- **Incorrect VIN.**
- **Duplicate VIN:** The VIN is already loaded in the AT database by another dealer. AT will not display the same car twice.

###### **Image Content Issues**

- **Not Enough Images** are loaded (AT minimum required).
- **"Coming Soon" Images** are prohibited.
- **Generic/Stock Images:** Using a picture from the internet (e.g., a new model's image for a used vehicle).
- Images containing:
  - **Company Logo**
  - **Contact Info** (e.g., telephone or email addresses)
  - **Warranty Info**

**Action:** If a user reports a missing vehicle, first check if any of these conditions are met, especially the image content. If they are, have the user correct the vehicle immediately.

### **Prepping Vehicles for Autotrader Feed**

**Step 1**

- Select the stock item you want to prep for web

![](https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ATPicture1.png)

**Step 2**

- Ensure that vehicle data is accurate to avoid an unpleasant experience later in the webmaster process.

![](https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Picture1-1.png)

**NB!!! Ensure that vehicle data is accurate to avoid an unpleasant experience later in the webmaster process.**

**Step 3**

- Add vehicle extras

![](https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Picture1.png)

- Add the vehicle extras
- Add service history
- Add previous owners

You will see motorplan, service plan, and warranty, as well as the next service is also there to be updated if the vehicle still has them.

**Step 4**

- Add a description that will be displayed on the Autotrader website.

![](https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ATPicture4.png)

**Step 5**

- Add images
- DO NOT UPLOAD
  - Coming soon
  - Generic pictures
  - Company logo
  - Contact Info
  - Warranty Info

![](https://vmgexcellence.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ATPicture5.png)

**Congratulations your vehicle is now prepared to be uploaded. Our team will send the Upload Guide when vehicles are prepped.**

**Step 6**

Navigate to Webmaster to upload to Auto Trader

[VMG DMS - Preparing Vehicles for Web Upload](https://www.youtube.com/embed/KwBB4jh6V-E?feature=oembed)

[VMG DMS - Web Management](https://www.youtube.com/embed/nav86D3m6kk?feature=oembed)