L
ooking for auto repair keywords to boost your shop’s visibility? Here’s your complete keyword list. I’ve analyzed 8,824 auto repair keywords from enterprise SEO tools with a combined monthly search volume of 3.5 million searches. These keywords are sliced into 14 service categories, from basic maintenance to specialized repairs.
Your potential customers are searching for auto repair services right now. The challenge? Standing out in a sea of 174,200+ auto repair shops across the US.
But here’s the kicker: most of your competitors are targeting the same handful of generic keywords, leaving a goldmine of specialized service keywords untapped.
What follows is a meticulously researched list of 140 high-performing keywords across every major auto repair service category.
These aren’t just random keywords. Each one is handpicked based on search volume, competition level, and commercial intent. I’ve organized them into logical service categories that mirror how your customers actually search for auto repair services.
1. Core Auto Repair
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
auto repair | 90,500 | High |
auto repair shop | 49,500 | High |
auto mechanic | 33,100 | High |
car repair service | 8,100 | Moderate |
automotive repair services | 6,600 | Moderate |
mobile mechanic | 6,600 | High |
certified auto repair | 4,400 | Moderate |
local car repair | 3,600 | Easy |
reliable auto repair | 2,900 | Easy |
professional auto repair | 2,400 | Moderate |
2. Engine & Performance
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
engine repair | 18,100 | High |
check engine light diagnosis | 6,600 | Easy |
engine replacement cost | 5,400 | Moderate |
engine rebuild service | 4,400 | High |
motor repair shop | 3,600 | Moderate |
tune up service | 3,600 | Easy |
engine diagnostic testing | 2,900 | Moderate |
engine performance check | 2,400 | Easy |
cylinder head repair | 2,000 | High |
timing belt replacement | 1,900 | Moderate |
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3. Transmission Services
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
transmission repair | 14,800 | High |
transmission service | 12,100 | High |
transmission replacement | 8,100 | Moderate |
automatic transmission repair | 6,600 | High |
transmission flush | 4,400 | Moderate |
manual transmission repair | 3,600 | Moderate |
transmission fluid change | 2,900 | Easy |
transmission rebuild | 2,400 | High |
clutch replacement | 2,000 | Moderate |
transmission diagnostic | 1,900 | Easy |
4. Brake System
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
brake repair | 12,100 | High |
brake service | 9,900 | High |
brake pad replacement | 6,600 | Moderate |
brake rotor replacement | 4,400 | Moderate |
brake line repair | 3,600 | Easy |
brake fluid change | 2,900 | Easy |
brake system inspection | 2,400 | Easy |
abs brake repair | 2,000 | Moderate |
brake caliper replacement | 1,900 | Easy |
brake drum replacement | 1,600 | Easy |
5. Electrical System
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
car electrical repair | 8,100 | Moderate |
auto electrical service | 6,600 | Moderate |
car battery replacement | 5,400 | Easy |
alternator repair | 4,400 | Moderate |
starter replacement | 3,600 | Easy |
car wiring repair | 2,900 | Moderate |
electrical system diagnostic | 2,400 | Easy |
fuse box repair | 2,000 | Easy |
ignition system repair | 1,900 | Moderate |
power window repair | 1,600 | Easy |
6. Climate Control
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
auto ac repair | 22,200 | Easy |
car air conditioning service | 8,100 | Moderate |
ac recharge service | 4,400 | Easy |
car heater repair | 3,600 | Moderate |
auto ac compressor replacement | 2,900 | Easy |
car cooling system repair | 2,400 | Moderate |
radiator repair | 2,000 | High |
ac evacuation service | 1,900 | Easy |
heater core replacement | 1,600 | Moderate |
blend door actuator replacement | 1,300 | Easy |
7. Suspension & Steering
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
suspension repair | 8,100 | High |
power steering repair | 6,600 | Moderate |
shock absorber replacement | 4,400 | Moderate |
strut replacement | 3,600 | Moderate |
steering rack repair | 2,900 | Easy |
ball joint replacement | 2,400 | Easy |
tie rod replacement | 2,000 | Easy |
control arm replacement | 1,900 | Easy |
power steering pump replacement | 1,600 | Moderate |
wheel alignment service | 1,300 | Moderate |
8. Exhaust System
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
exhaust repair | 6,600 | Moderate |
muffler repair | 5,400 | Moderate |
catalytic converter replacement | 4,400 | High |
exhaust system service | 3,600 | Moderate |
custom exhaust shop | 2,900 | Easy |
exhaust pipe repair | 2,400 | Easy |
muffler replacement | 2,000 | Moderate |
resonator replacement | 1,900 | Easy |
exhaust manifold repair | 1,600 | Moderate |
oxygen sensor replacement | 1,300 | Easy |
9. Collision & Body Work
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
auto body repair | 22,200 | Moderate |
collision repair | 12,100 | High |
car dent repair | 8,100 | Easy |
auto paint repair | 6,600 | Moderate |
bumper repair | 4,400 | Easy |
frame repair | 3,600 | High |
paintless dent removal | 2,900 | Easy |
collision damage repair | 2,400 | High |
auto body paint | 2,000 | Moderate |
fender repair | 1,900 | Easy |
10. Glass & Windows
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
auto glass repair | 27,100 | Moderate |
windshield replacement | 12,100 | High |
car window repair | 8,100 | Moderate |
auto glass replacement | 5,400 | Moderate |
windshield chip repair | 4,400 | Easy |
car window tinting | 3,600 | Easy |
rock chip repair | 2,900 | Easy |
side window replacement | 2,400 | Moderate |
rear window replacement | 2,000 | Moderate |
windshield crack repair | 1,900 | Easy |
11. Fuel System
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
fuel pump replacement | 6,600 | Moderate |
fuel system repair | 4,400 | Moderate |
fuel injector cleaning | 3,600 | Easy |
fuel filter replacement | 2,900 | Easy |
carburetor repair | 2,400 | Moderate |
fuel line repair | 2,000 | Easy |
fuel pressure regulator | 1,900 | Easy |
gas tank repair | 1,600 | Moderate |
fuel injection service | 1,300 | Easy |
fuel system cleaning | 1,000 | Easy |
12. Diagnostic Services
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
car diagnostic test | 8,100 | Moderate |
engine diagnostic | 6,600 | High |
computer diagnostic | 4,400 | Moderate |
electrical diagnostic | 3,600 | Moderate |
transmission diagnostic | 2,900 | Easy |
abs diagnostic | 2,400 | Easy |
obd2 scanner diagnostic | 2,000 | Easy |
engine code reading | 1,900 | Easy |
vehicle inspection service | 1,600 | Moderate |
diagnostic scanning | 1,300 | Easy |
13. Preventive Maintenance
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
car maintenance service | 8,100 | High |
oil change service | 6,600 | Moderate |
preventive maintenance | 4,400 | Moderate |
scheduled maintenance | 3,600 | Easy |
factory scheduled maintenance | 2,900 | Moderate |
multi point inspection | 2,400 | Easy |
tune up auto service | 2,000 | Moderate |
routine maintenance | 1,900 | Easy |
maintenance schedule | 1,600 | Easy |
fluid change service | 1,300 | Easy |
14. Emergency & Mobile Services
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
24 hour auto repair | 8,100 | Moderate |
emergency car repair | 6,600 | Easy |
mobile auto repair service | 5,400 | Moderate |
roadside car repair | 4,400 | Easy |
at home car repair | 3,600 | Easy |
traveling mechanic | 2,900 | Easy |
emergency roadside service | 2,400 | Moderate |
after hours auto repair | 2,000 | Easy |
weekend auto repair | 1,900 | Easy |
same day auto repair | 1,600 | Moderate |
📍 Important Note About "Near Me" and Location-Based Keywords
The analysis revealed a staggering number of location-specific variations. Among the 8,824 keywords analyzed, 1,351 were location-based searches, driving a whopping 1,060,200 (1 million) monthly searches.
Each service keyword typically has 2 location variations:
- [service] + near me/close to me/in my area/nearby
- [service] + city name
For example, “auto repair” (90,500 searches) has these high-volume variants:
- “auto repair near me” (135,000 searches)
- “auto repair [city]” (varies by location)
- “auto repair shops nearby” (22,200 searches)
However, I’ve excluded “near me” and city-specific variations from the keyword lists. With over 170,000 auto repair shops in the US, it’s literally impossible to include location-specific keywords for every market in this blog.
Some shops serve multiple counties, while others focus on specific zip codes or neighborhoods. The right location keywords for your auto repair shop depend entirely on your service area, specific neighborhoods or entire metro regions.
This is exactly why custom keyword research for your specific location is crucial. Your local keyword strategy should be laser-focused on your exact service area and competitive landscape.
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Includes: Video Walkthrough + Step-by-Step PDF Guide
Final Thoughts: Making These Keywords Work for Your Shop
The data paints a clear picture. With over 3.5 million monthly searches across these auto repair keywords, there’s significant opportunity for growth. But here’s what really matters:
Key Takeaways:
- Competition isn’t uniform. While high-volume generic terms are predictably competitive, many specific service keywords have surprisingly low competition. Focus on these strategic entry points.
- Service-specific keywords reveal clear patterns. Diagnostic terms, specific repair services, and maintenance-related searches often have better intent-to-competition ratios than broad terms.
- Volume distribution tells a story. The highest search volumes cluster around emergency repairs and essential services. Yet, some of the most profitable services like transmission repair and engine diagnostics show steady, reliable search patterns.
- Opportunities hide in plain sight. Terms with 2,000-5,000 monthly searches often have the sweet spot of decent volume and manageable competition. These are your quick wins.
Remember, these keywords are just the foundation. Your local market, specific services, and business focus will shape how you use them. The true value lies in aligning these keywords with your shop’s strengths and your local market’s needs.
Smart shop owners will look beyond the obvious high-volume terms and build a diversified keyword strategy. Start with the easier opportunities, build authority in your niche, and gradually expand to more competitive terms.
Want to skip the learning curve? Consider getting a custom keyword research package tailored to your shop’s specific location and services.