A Google Vehicle Ads Round-Up: What UK Dealerships Need to Know in 2025
Do you want your dealership to use Google Vehicle Ads? Contact CMe Automotive to learn more.
One of the biggest game changers in 2025, for UK dealerships has been the rise of Google Vehicle Ads is the catalyst for the automotive sector in this digital age.
Google Ads have single-handedly reshaped the car buyers journey. How they discover, do their research and even compare multiple vehicles online. UK dealerships now have a new way of showcasing their inventory, directly in a Google search giving instant visibility of prices, images, location and mileage, to name but a few.
Below, we have put some ‘need to knows’ when it comes to using Google Vehicle Ads, and also why they are a must-have within your marketing toolkit. Get in touch with CMe Automotive to see how we can help your business get ahead through the Google Ads listing portal.
What Are Google Vehicle Ads (GVAs)?
Designed for promoting vehicles, GVAs are a performance-based format that pulls real-time listings from UK dealerships and can display them at the top of search results, in a carousel format, based on what the search criteria was, e.g., “a used Ford Fiesta near me”.
Each ad includes vehicle details such as:
- Make and model
- Year and mileage
- Price
- Dealership location
- A high-quality photo
When a user clicks on the ad, they’re taken directly to the Vehicle Detail Page (VDP) on your site, not to just a generic landing page, this makes it easier to convert an initial interest into consumer action.
Why Are They So Important for UK Dealerships?
Increased Visibility Where It Matters Most
Googe Vehicle Ads are programmed to appear before the standard text ads in Google Search. This means that your listings are the first thing a buyer will see. This turns into prime real estate when a search is high-intent and local, like ‘used BMW 3 Series in London’ or ‘low mileage cars Bristol’.
With over 72% of UK car buyers starting their journey online, having your brand front and centre on Google is far more powerful than any classified ad or third-party site.
High-Quality Leads, Not Just Clicks
Being targeted vehicle ads. They are only shown to users who are actively searching for vehicles in your area, making their generated traffic a high potential for a conversion.
Plus, because the ad links directly to the vehicle page on your website’s, customers arrive with a clearer buying intent, converting into real leads
Automated, Scalable, and Cost-Effective
Having set up and integrated your vehicles feed into the Google Merchant Center and Google Ads, the GVAs automatically update, in real-time, based on your stock. You could be listing 20 cars or 2,000, this system scales seamlessly.
And the best part? You only pay when someone clicks. This keeps the cost-per-lead lower compared to the larger automotive marketplace platforms.
Performance-Driven Insights
GVAs come with built-in performance tracking, done through Google Ads, allowing you to measure:
- Click-through rates (CTR)
- Cost per lead
- Vehicle level engagement
- Top performing makes and models
This data helps UK dealerships fine-tune their strategy for inventory, pricing, and even creative (which photos or keywords are performing best).
Getting Started: What You Need
Here is what your dealership will need to run GVAs in the UK:
- A Google Merchant Center account
- A Google Ads account
- A website with individual Vehicle Detail Pages (VDPs)
- A vehicle inventory data feed (to include pricing, availability, photos, specifications)
Working with an automotive marketing provider or web developer to ensure your feed is optimised and updated regularly, may be a good choice for your dealership.
Final Thoughts
Google Vehicle Ads are a strategic opportunity, not just a flashy new feature, and can get your inventory in front of motivated local buyers right when they’re searching. For UK dealerships looking to drive more eligible traffic, reduce the reliance required by third-party classified ads, and boost conversions, GVAs are proving to be the ultimate game-changer.
Now is time to shift gears and put your vehicles in the digital fast lane. Contact us a CMe Automotive, to bring more traffic to your business.
