If you run a car service business and have been investing in Google Ads, you may have wondered: “Should I stick with Search campaigns or try Performance Max (PMax)?” In this guide, I’m going to break down the most effective Google Ads campaign strategy for car services in 2026, based on proven practices, data, and my experience managing campaigns for auto clients.
![Google Ads for Car Service | Google Ads For Auto Repair [2026]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/346tO6S2fco/hqdefault.jpg)
Why Most Car Services Should Prioritize Search Campaigns
Search campaigns are still the top-performing ad format for local service businesses. For car services, they offer high-intent traffic from users actively searching for terms like:
- “car service near me”
- “oil change Dubai”
- “brake pad replacement in Sharjah”
These are bottom-of-the-funnel (BOFU) users ready to convert. I recommend allocating 70% of your Google Ads budget to Search campaigns.
Keyword Segmentation is the Key to Success
A common mistake car service providers make is grouping all keywords into one ad group. Instead, you should create:
- A separate ad group for “near me” keywords
- Another for specific services (e.g., “oil change”, “brake service”)
- Branded keywords in another ad group
This allows you to write more targeted ads and match search intent better.
Spy on Competitor Ads & Extensions
Use tools or the Google Ads Ad Preview Tool to see what your competitors are doing. Check:
- Headlines & descriptions
- Price mentions (users love transparency)
- Ad extensions like callouts, sitelinks, structured snippets
Add similar or improved versions in your campaign to increase CTR.
Add Location & Time-Based Segmentation
- Create separate campaigns for different cities/locations you serve
- Adjust bids based on high-converting time slots (e.g., evenings, weekends)
Also, keep an eye on your conversion tracking setup to ensure accurate performance analysis.
Use Negative Keywords to Avoid Wasted Spend
Regularly check the search terms report and keep adding irrelevant terms as negative keywords to prevent unqualified clicks.
Also, implement invalid click protection tools to save budget from bots and click fraud.
What About Performance Max (PMax)?
PMax campaigns work well only when:
- You have multiple services or product categories
- You want to reach broader audiences via YouTube, Gmail, Discover, and Display
However, you cannot exclude YouTube 100% from PMax. If you’re strictly focused on leads and want to avoid upper-funnel waste, Search campaigns remain superior.
Use PMax with 10-20% of your budget only if you’re testing or running broad service categories.
Retargeting is a Must
Whether you’re using Display, Demand Gen, or Search, always allocate 20-30% of your budget to retargeting past website visitors or cart abandoners. This improves ROI by nurturing warm leads.
Final Recommendations
- Spend 70% on Search
- 20-30% on retargeting
- 10-20% (optional) on PMax or Demand Gen
- Segment keywords, services, and locations properly
- Use ad extensions and price visibility to boost CTR
- Track conversions and update negative keywords weekly
- Consider invalid click protection tools to optimize spend
If you’re unsure where to start or need help setting up a high-performing car service campaign, my team and I can help. We’re Google Ads Certified and specialize in managing PPC for local service businesses.
Ready to grow your car service bookings? Contact us here and let us drive your campaign forward!