100 Keywords for Used Car Dealerships to Target
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high-intent, qualified customers
who are interested in buying or selling with Google Ads managed by Inculeader.
1. Keyword Targeting Overview for Used Car Dealerships
When running Google Ads for a used car dealership, your goal is to capture high-intent search traffic — users actively looking to buy a vehicle. Keywords should reflect vehicle types, brand preferences, local targeting, and transaction intent.
Types of Keywords to Target
Brand/Make & Model Keywords
- Example: “used Toyota Corolla for sale”
- Why: Buyers often know what car they want and include the make/model in searches.
Vehicle Type Keywords
- Example: “used SUVs near me”, “pre-owned trucks”
- Why: Captures users who know the type of vehicle they want but not a specific make.
Price & Financing Keywords
- Example: “used cars under $10,000”, “used cars financing available”
- Why: Attracts budget-conscious buyers and those looking for payment options.
Location-Based Keywords
- Example: “used cars Regina”, “pre-owned vehicles near me”
- Why: Local targeting ensures people see your dealership instead of competitors farther away.
Condition & Certification Keywords
- Example: “certified pre-owned vehicles”, “used cars with warranty”
- Why: Builds trust by highlighting quality and assurances.
Long-Tail & Transactional Keywords
- Example: “best deals on used Honda CR-V 2020”, “buy used cars online Canada”
- Why: High-intent searches that often convert better because they signal readiness to buy.
2. Keyword Match Types for Google Ads
To optimize budget and reach, use the right match types:
| Match Type | Example Keyword | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Broad Match | used cars | To capture a wide audience; can bring irrelevant clicks, so use carefully. |
| Broad Match Modifier | +used +cars | Ensures both terms appear in search but in any order. |
| Phrase Match | “used cars Regina” | Ads show for searches that include the phrase in order. |
| Exact Match | [used Toyota Corolla 2018] | Ads show only for exact search; high-intent and more expensive clicks. |
| Negative Match | -lease, -rental, -free | Prevents irrelevant clicks from searches unrelated to buying. |
3. Keyword Research Tips
- Use Google Keyword Planner: Identify search volumes, competition, and CPC for car-related keywords.
- Focus on Local Search Terms: Include your city, neighborhood, or province in your keywords.
- Monitor Seasonal Trends: Certain cars (convertibles, trucks, SUVs) perform differently by season.
- Consider Vehicle Age & Price: “Used 2018 Honda Civic under $15,000” attracts buyers ready to purchase.
4. Suggested Keyword Lists
A. Brand & Model Focused
- used Toyota Corolla
- used Honda Civic
- pre-owned Ford F-150
- certified pre-owned BMW X5
B. Vehicle Type Keywords
- used SUVs for sale near me
- used trucks Regina
- pre-owned minivans
- affordable used sedans
C. Local Keywords
- used cars in [City Name]
- buy used cars [Province Name]
- dealership near me
- pre-owned vehicles [Postal Code or Neighborhood]
D. Financing & Budget Keywords
- used cars under $10,000
- used cars with financing
- car loans for used vehicles
- buy now pay later cars
E. Long-Tail / Transactional
- best deals on used Honda CR-V 2020
- cheap pre-owned SUVs Regina
- buy used cars online Canada
- certified pre-owned Toyota Corolla 2019
5. Negative Keyword Examples
- free
- lease
- rental
- parts
- junk
- repair
These help prevent irrelevant clicks that can waste budget.
6. Structuring Google Ads Campaigns
Campaign Level: Break campaigns by
vehicle type or
brand.
Ad Group Level: Focus on a specific make/model, vehicle type, or financing type.
Ads: Include clear call-to-actions: “Shop Certified Pre-Owned Cars Today”, “Financing Available”, “View Inventory Near You”.
Landing Pages: Direct each ad to a
relevant landing page (e.g., specific model inventory) to improve Quality Score.
7. Bid & Budget Recommendations
- High-Intent Keywords: Exact match terms like “[used Toyota Corolla 2018]” → higher CPC, but better conversions.
- Broad Terms: “used cars” → lower CPC, monitor click-throughs to avoid wasted spend.
- Location Bidding: Increase bids in areas closer to the dealership for higher ROI.
8. Tracking & Optimization
- Conversion Tracking: Track form submissions, phone calls, and directions requests.
- Search Term Reports: Identify new keywords to add and negative keywords to exclude.
- A/B Testing: Test ad copy with different CTAs and value propositions.
- Seasonal Adjustments: Increase bids or budgets for peak car-buying seasons (spring, summer, end-of-year).


