Service reminders are one of the most cost-effective marketing tools available to auto repair shops in Japan. A well-timed reminder message — sent to a customer whose Shaken (車検) is coming due, or whose oil change is overdue — generates repeat business from people who already trust your shop, at virtually zero cost. Car Spot's Inbox and Contacts tools give you everything you need to run an effective reminder programme without specialist marketing software.
The Most Important Reminder in Japan: Shaken
Shaken (車検) is the mandatory periodic vehicle inspection in Japan — required every two years for most passenger vehicles, and annually for vehicles older than a certain age. Because Shaken is legally required and costly (typically ¥100,000–200,000+), drivers who are reminded in advance are far more likely to book proactively rather than wait until the last minute. The auto repair shop that reminds them is also the one most likely to secure the booking. Record Shaken due dates in Car Spot's Contacts dashboard for every customer whose inspection you complete, and set a reminder to contact them four to six weeks before the due date.
How to Write an Effective Shaken Reminder
A good Shaken reminder is brief, personal, and actionable. Reference the customer's specific vehicle, note the approximate date their Shaken is due, mention your availability, and include a clear call to action — a link to book through Car Spot or a phone number. Avoid lengthy messages. Something like: 'Your [make/model] Shaken is due around [month/year]. We have availability — would you like to book in? Here is our Car Spot booking link: [link].' This takes less than a minute to write and consistently converts.
Routine Maintenance Reminders
Beyond Shaken, routine maintenance reminders are valuable for building steady workshop traffic throughout the year. Consider sending reminders for:
- Oil change: Approximately every 5,000–10,000 km depending on the vehicle. If you recorded the odometer reading at a customer's last visit, you can estimate when they are likely due.
- Seasonal tyre swap: Japan has distinct seasons, and many drivers use separate summer and winter tyres. A reminder in October (before cold weather) and in April (before warm weather) for tyre swap customers is timely and useful.
- Brake inspection: Annual reminder for customers who have not had brake work done in over 12 months.
- Battery check: Particularly relevant for hybrid and EV owners. A reminder before summer heat or winter cold when battery performance can be affected.
Using Car Spot Inbox for Reminder Campaigns
Car Spot's Inbox is the most professional channel for sending service reminders to customers who have booked through your Car Spot profile. Messages sent through Car Spot are associated with your verified business profile, which adds credibility compared to a text message from an unknown number. For monthly reminder batches, review your Car Spot Contacts list, identify customers with upcoming service needs, and send each one a brief personalised message.
