100 Keywords for a Used Car Dealership

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).

Below is a complete list of 100 Keywords a Used Car Dealership can target:

General Used Car Keywords