The Top Auto Repair Search Trends You Need to Know in 2025

In today’s digital-first world, how customers search for auto repair services is shifting, and fast. Our latest keyword analysis of the top 25 most-searched terms related to general auto repair (excluding tires, auto body, and branded terms) reveals major changes in online behavior. With monthly volumes ranging from 200,000 to 1,000,000+, this data offers clear signals for shop owners and marketers looking to stay ahead.

Here’s what you need to know.

“Near Me” Still Leads the Way—But Growth is Slowing

Local intent continues to dominate. Keywords like “mechanic near me” and “auto repair near me” pull in up to 1,000,000 monthly searches. That’s no surprise, customers want quick, nearby solutions they can trust. Similar terms like “car repair shops near me,” “automotive repair near me,” and “vehicle repair near me” also rank highly, each with 673,000 average searches per month.

But there’s a twist: most of these high-volume terms are showing a 33% drop year-over-year. This could point to a few key trends:

Greater competition from mobile mechanics or DIY options
Slower consumer spending on vehicle services
More fragmented customer journeys (e.g., referrals, social proof, apps)

Shops shouldn’t panic—but they should continue investing in local SEO, Google Business Profile optimization, and location-based ad targeting to stay visible when it matters most.

Climate Control Services Are Heating Up

Not all services are on the decline. “AC repair near me” and “AC repairs near me” are showing a 50% year-over-year increase, even though their short-term trends dipped. With 450,000 monthly searches each, this is a clear sign that climate control is becoming a higher priority for drivers—especially as vehicles age and summers get hotter.

This is a golden opportunity for shops to:

Build seasonal campaigns around HVAC inspections and repairs
Create landing pages targeting specific terms like “AC service near me”
Leverage upsell opportunities during standard inspections

General Auto Repair Terms Are Dropping

Keywords like “auto repair” and “automotive repair”—without any local intent—are also seeing steep declines. Each has dropped 45–55% YoY, despite averaging 550,000 monthly searches. These terms are broad and competitive, but their fading popularity may indicate customers are refining their searches with more specific needs or local modifiers.

Don’t Overlook Rising Niches

A few keywords bucked the downward trend. “Auto mechanic” saw a 49% year-over-year increase and remained stable over the last three months. That suggests a growing preference for service from a person, not just a place. Meanwhile, “car repair” also climbed by 22% in recent months, making it one to watch.

If you’re building content, these terms can offer lower competition (indexed as low as 7–11) and a good return on investment for SEO.

What It All Means for Auto Repair Shops

The big takeaway? Local search remains essential, but consumer habits are changing. To stay competitive in 2025, shop owners should:

Double down on “near me” SEO to capture local, high-intent traffic
Promote HVAC, AC, and climate services—especially seasonally
Use data-backed keywords like “auto mechanic” and “car repair” to reach emerging search intent
Build a recognizable local brand to stand out as national chains gain traction

Final Thoughts

Yes, overall search volume for general repair terms is dipping—but the demand for reliable, nearby service isn’t going anywhere. By understanding the trends and aligning your marketing strategy accordingly, you can stay visible, drive more leads, and continue growing—one search at a time.

Need help with your digital strategy?
In Motion Brands helps auto shops turn keyword trends into real-world revenue. Let’s connect.

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