Automotive escrow-style services for dealerships and marketplaces
Convert more buyers, protect every transaction, and run a tighter operation - purpose-built for the automotive industry.
of customers shop after hours
50%
of buyers pay upfront when the process feels secure
80%
Average sales cycle from deposit to deal closed
9 days
Dealerships
Online deposits that lock in the sale
Take refundable deposits on any vehicle: online, after hours, before the buyer visits your dealership or lot Lock in commitment when intent is highest, before they go elsewhere.
- Reserve a specific vehicle instantly
- Reduces no-shows and walk-aways
- Works alongside your existing CRM and DMS
- Available 24/7
Automotive marketplaces
Escrow-style infrastructure for vehicle platforms
Facilitate car sales on your marketplace. Trustap handles the full transaction layer (fraud detection, disputes and payments), so that your team doesn't need to.
- Fully compliant payment flow
- Scales with transaction volume - no extra headcount needed
- Protects buyers and sellers on every transaction
- Eliminates fraud and chargeback risk for your platform
How it works
Every transaction protected - start to finish.
Buyer pays
The buyer places a deposit or full payment through Trustap. Funds are held securely - not released to the seller yet.
Vehicle delivered or handed over
The seller completes the transaction: delivers the vehicle, transfers the title, or hands over the keys.
Buyer confirms. Funds released.
Once the buyer confirms everything checks out, funds are released to the seller instantly. If something's wrong, our team steps in.
Our insights from thousands of vehicle transactions
Meet your customers where they are, even when your doors are closed. Allowing buyers to browse and reserve vehicles in their free time is convenient for them and a powerful way to secure high-intent leads.
50%
Over 50% of in-market car buyers shop after business hours
Sunday
The most popular day of the week for vehicle deposits.
80%
Consumers are willing to pay upfront when the process feels secure.
8–10pm
The most popular time of day for a deposit to be placed.
2x
Buyers are 2x as likely to complete a purchase when a deposit is placed.
9 days
Average sales cycle from deposit placed to deal closed.
Why Trustap
Lower risk, higher close rate
Buyers who place a deposit are 2x more likely to complete the purchase. Trustap converts browsing intent into committed transactions.
Fraud protection built in
No wire transfers. No cash risk. Funds are held by Trustap until the deal is confirmed, which protects your dealership and your buyers simultaneously.
No new ops overhead
Dispute mediation, chargeback management, and payment tracking are all handled by Trustap's team. Your staff focuses on selling vehicles, not resolving payment issues.
Fast to launch
API-first infrastructure that integrates with your existing platform, DMS, or marketplace stack. Most integrations go live in days, not months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our policy doesn't allow us to "hold" cars. How is this different?
A Trustap reservation is a high-intent lead signal rather than a binding legal hold. While it prevents other online shoppers from reserving the same VIN, it does not create a legal obligation for the dealership to sell that specific car to that individual. The deposit is 100% refundable and can be canceled by either the buyer or the dealer at any time.
Why should I add Trustap instead of the solution I already have?
Trustap removes the operative and financial burden of managing deposits by handling the entire payment lifecycle for you. Instead of managing manual transfers, you receive high-intent leads that are ready to transact. We also provide dedicated support and a flexible integration to ensure our solution fits seamlessly into your existing workflow.
Do I have to accept the deposit?
Your team maintains full control to review and either accept or reject every deposit that comes through. Though we generally recommend accepting them as they represent high-intent leads, the decision always rests with you. If a deposit isn't right for your current inventory or schedule, you can simply decline it without any issues.
Can Trustap be used for cross-border or cross state vehicle purchases?
Yes, Trustap can be used for cross-border vehicle purchases. International transaction fees may apply in these situations, if a different currency is used to make a payment.
Is Trustap compatible with my current financial provider/process?
Trustap can work seamlessly with your existing process and make payouts to your account via secure bank connection.
Is managing deposits time consuming for my team?
Not at all, as Trustap handles the entire financial side of the transaction for you. Your team simply reviews the deposits to accept or reject them, while we manage the movement of funds and administrative tasks. This allows your staff to focus on closing sales and managing high intent leads.
What happens if a reserved vehicle is sold to another customer?
If a reserved vehicle is sold to a walk-in customer before the online reservation process is finalized, the dealership has no legal obligation to sell to the online buyer. The reservation can be canceled by the dealership at any time.
What happens if the customer does not buy the car?
If the customer does not buy the car after leaving a deposit, the money will be automatically refunded to them by Trustap, eliminating an administrative burden for you.
Why should I use Trustap Vehicle Reservations in my dealership?
Trustap Vehicle Reservations allow you to capture high-intent buyers by enabling them to secure a vehicle online with a refundable deposit. Since 50% of in-market car buyers shop when dealerships are closed, it also allows your showroom to remain "open" 24/7, closing deals faster and providing a modern, secure experience for your customers. This system filters out unserious buyers and reduces no-shows by ensuring customers have a financial commitment.