Key Takeaways
- Facebook ads with strong offers and urgency drive quick bookings.
- Instagram is ideal for showing off repairs with before-and-after visuals.
- Google Ads target customers who need urgent help and are ready to book.
- Flyers and referrals are low-cost strategies that still work well locally.
- Seasonal promos, video testimonials, and local sponsorships build trust and repeat business.
- Billboards work when messaging is simple and location is right.
- Start small, track what works, and scale the winners.
You don’t need a massive budget or marketing degree to attract more cars into your shop. Just some smart, proven ideas that actually work in the real world.
Here are car repair advertising strategies that have delivered the goods—plus how you can use them in your own shop starting today.
Facebook Ads with a Special Offer
Facebook’s still one of the most effective (and affordable) ways to reach local car owners. One local mechanic ran a “Free Brake Inspection” ad targeting drivers within 10km—and it filled their bookings fast.
The photo of worn brake pads grabbed attention. A “Book Now” button made it easy to take action. “Limited Spots Available” added urgency.
Keep your message short. Use urgency in your call to action. Target nearby drivers using interests like “Car Maintenance.” And test different images to see which gets more clicks.
Pro tip: Offer something low-cost but valuable—free inspections or discounted oil changes are a great hook.
Before-and-After Instagram Posts
Instagram is perfect for showing off your work. A cracked bumper or filthy engine that’s been made new again? That stuff gets attention.
People love transformations—they stop to look. A caption explained how fast the fix was. Local hashtags and tags helped new customers find them.
Use hashtags like #BeforeAndAfter or #CarRepair. Add a quick customer quote. Post regularly to stay top of mind.
Bonus idea: Post a quick video showing the work in progress. Even 10 seconds of a buffer in action can turn heads.
Google Ads for Urgent Repairs
When someone’s car breaks down, they’re not browsing—they’re searching. If your shop isn’t showing up on Google, you’re missing out.
The ad appeared at the exact moment someone needed help. A small discount gave them a reason to choose that shop. And the landing page matched the ad, which made booking quick and easy.
Focus on high-intent keywords like “engine repair near me” or “roadside assistance.” Highlight offers in your ad headline. And always send people to a page that matches the offer—don’t use your homepage.
Local Flyers with Neighbourhood Discounts
Yep, flyers still work—especially in the right places. One mechanic printed “$15 Off Any Service Over $100” offers and dropped them in nearby cafés.
Flyers are physical—they stick around. Locals saw them in places they already go.
Use bold fonts and colours. Add a QR code that links to your booking form. Drop them at local spots like gyms, servos, or libraries.
Want better results? Hand them out yourself and have a quick chat—it works.
Word-of-Mouth with a Referral Program
People trust friends more than any ad. So give your customers a reason to refer you.
Offering $25 credit for both the referrer and the new customer made it a win-win and kept customers coming back.
Print referral cards or use digital codes. Promote it around your shop and online. Track referrals using software or a simple spreadsheet.
Want to level up? Offer something extra—like a free oil change after three successful referrals.
Sponsor Local Events
Sponsoring local teams or community events gets your name out there—and builds trust at the same time.
A garage sponsored a junior soccer team’s kit—parents saw their name every weekend. It didn’t feel salesy, just supportive.
Offer free inspections or vouchers for school fundraisers. Team up with a towing company for joint offers. Sponsor a hole at a local golf day or community day.
Tip: Choose events your customers actually attend.
Turn Testimonials into Video Ads
Happy customers are your best salespeople. Video testimonials build trust fast—and they’re more engaging than text.
People connect with real faces. Video stands out in a crowded feed. And they’re more believable than written reviews.
Ask a customer to record a 30-second video picking up their car. Add subtitles. Post it on your socials or turn it into a reel.
Don’t overthink it—honest, casual videos beat polished ones.
Run Timely Seasonal Offers
Seasonal campaigns work best when they solve real problems.
Top examples:
- Winter – free battery tests and discounted replacements.
- Summer – aircon checks to beat the heat.
Make it work for you: Run promos before the season hits. Add urgency with deadlines. Combine it with educational posts—like “How to Prep Your Car for Winter.”
Relevance = results.
Use a Clever Billboard
Billboards might seem old-school, but in the right spot, they work like magic.
“Your Car Shouldn’t Sound Like This CLUNK CLUNK” with your shop’s name and number. Humour gets attention. Placement near busy roads keeps your name front-of-mind.
Keep it short and bold. Make sure your name and contact info are big and clear.
Want flexibility? Go digital so you can rotate offers without reprinting.
Start Now and Keep It Simple
You don’t need to do all ten. Just pick one and launch it this week. Start small. Track what works. Then scale up the winners.
If your budget’s tight, go for low-cost ideas like flyers or referral programs—they deliver long-term value.
FAQ
What’s the cheapest way to advertise my car repair shop?
Referral programs, flyers, and Instagram posts are all low-cost and effective.
How often should I run promotions?
Plan around seasonal demand—once per season is a good starting point.
Do Facebook ads still work in 2025?
Absolutely. They’re still one of the best tools for local reach—just keep them simple and targeted.
Should I hire someone to manage my ads or do it myself?
If you’re just starting out, DIY is totally fine—especially with simple Facebook or Google Ads. Once your budget grows or things get more complex, consider hiring help to save time and improve performance.
How do I know if my ads are working?
Track basic results like clicks, bookings, and enquiries. Use tools like Google Analytics or Facebook Ads Manager to measure performance. If bookings increase after a promo, it’s working.
What’s the best time to post on social media for my shop?
Late afternoon to early evening (around 4–6pm) works well for local trades. But test different times and see when your audience is most engaged.
Wrap-Up
These strategies aren’t fluff—they’re proven, practical, and already working for mechanics around the country. Whether you’re a solo operator or running a busy workshop, the key is to stop overthinking and start doing.
Pick one idea that feels doable—maybe it’s running a Facebook ad, handing out flyers at your local servo, or filming a quick customer testimonial. Launch it, watch how it performs, and make small changes to improve over time. Marketing doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be consistent.
Start small, learn as you go, and build up from there. Every booking counts, and even small wins stack up fast.
More customers. Less cost. That’s what we’re all about—and it’s exactly how your shop can grow.