Car Ad Templates: 6 Fill-in-the-Blank Listings That Sell
These are working templates pulled from listings that closed in under 14 days at or above asking. Copy, paste, replace the bracketed fields with your specifics. Two formats per template — a Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist short version and a Cars.com / AutoTrader long version.
For the underlying principles, see how to write a car ad. For where to publish each format, see the platform-specific marketplace guides.
Template 1: Daily-driver sedan
For: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Mazda 6, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy, Ford Fusion, Chevy Malibu, similar mainstream sedans.
Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist (short)
[YEAR] [MAKE] [MODEL] [TRIM] — [MILES]K miles — single owner — clean title — asking $[PRICE] OBO
Bought it new/used in [YEAR] from [DEALER/PRIVATE]. Commute and weekend use only;
no accidents, no rust, no warning lights. All maintenance at [DEALER/SHOP] —
records on hand. Recent: [SERVICE WITHIN 12 MONTHS, e.g. "new tires Jan 2025,
brakes May 2024, oil changed every 5K"].
Selling because [REASON, e.g. "moving out of state" / "upgrading to a larger car"].
Local cash or cashier's check at meet-up. VIN shared on commitment to viewing.
Available [DAYS/TIMES] in [NEIGHBORHOOD/CITY].
Cars.com / AutoTrader (long)
[YEAR] [MAKE] [MODEL] [TRIM] — [MILES] miles — single owner — clean title
Asking $[PRICE] OBO
Bought new/used at [DEALER] in [YEAR/MILES]. Used as [DAILY DRIVER / SECOND CAR / WEEKEND CAR].
[NUMBER] of owners (per Carfax). Clean title, no accidents, no rust.
OWNERSHIP HISTORY
Single owner since [DATE]. Garage-kept; non-smoker; no pets. Highway commute use,
roughly [MILES PER YEAR] per year.
MAINTENANCE
Serviced at [DEALER / INDEPENDENT MECHANIC] every [MILES] from purchase. Receipts available.
Recent service:
- [DATE] - [SERVICE]
- [DATE] - [SERVICE]
- [DATE] - [SERVICE]
FEATURES
[BULLET LIST OF FACTORY OPTIONS - heated seats, navigation, premium audio, sunroof, etc.]
[AFTERMARKET ADDITIONS, if any - all-season tires, dash cam, etc.]
WHAT TO KNOW
[ANY FLAWS HONESTLY DISCLOSED - "minor scuff on rear bumper from a parking lot,
included in price; AC blows cool but not cold, estimated $400 for service"]
REASON FOR SELLING
[SHORT, CREDIBLE - "downsizing to one car," "company car arrived," "moving overseas"]
LOGISTICS
Local cash or cashier's check at meet-up. VIN shared on commitment to view.
Pre-purchase inspection welcome at the buyer's mechanic of choice.
Available to view [DAYS/TIMES] in [NEIGHBORHOOD/CITY].
Template 2: Family SUV / crossover
For: Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Subaru Ascent, VW Atlas, similar three-row family SUVs.
Short
[YEAR] [MAKE] [MODEL] [TRIM] AWD — [MILES]K miles — three-row, captain's chairs —
single family owner — clean title — asking $[PRICE] OBO
Bought new in [YEAR] for [REASON]. Three-row family SUV, captain's chairs in second row,
foldable third row. AWD. [TOW PACKAGE / NO TOW PACKAGE]. All maintenance at [DEALER];
records on hand. Recent: [TIRE/BRAKE/SERVICE WITHIN 12 MONTHS].
[ANY DISCLOSURE - "minor parking-lot dings, photographed honestly"]
Selling because [REASON].
Local cash or cashier's check at meet-up. Available to view [DAYS/TIMES].
Long
Same structure as Template 1, plus a dedicated PASSENGER + CARGO section:
PASSENGER + CARGO
Three rows, [TOTAL SEAT] seats, captain's chairs in second row.
Cargo space: [SPECIFIC FT^3] with all rows up; expands to [SPECIFIC FT^3] with rear folded.
Tow rating: [LB] (with tow package).
Roof rack: [INSTALLED / NOT INSTALLED].
Template 3: Truck
For: Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Ram 1500, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Frontier, similar.
Short
[YEAR] [MAKE] [MODEL] [TRIM] [CAB] [DRIVETRAIN] — [BED LENGTH] bed — [ENGINE] —
[MILES]K miles — [TOW PACKAGE / NOT EQUIPPED] — single owner — clean title
Asking $[PRICE] OBO
[CAB STYLE] [DRIVETRAIN] with [ENGINE]. [BED LINER / TONNEAU COVER / RUNNING BOARDS / HITCH] installed.
All maintenance at [DEALER/SHOP]; records on hand. Recent service: [BRAKES / TIRES /
TIMING CHAIN / TRANSMISSION SERVICE].
[ANY DISCLOSURE]
Selling because [REASON].
Local cash or cashier's check at meet-up. Test drive welcome with valid driver's license.
Long
Same as Template 1, with a CONFIGURATION section emphasizing cab/bed/drivetrain/engine.
Template 4: Luxury car
For: BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6, Lexus ES, Genesis G80, similar premium sedans.
Short
[YEAR] [MAKE] [MODEL] [TRIM] — [MILES] miles — single owner — clean Carfax —
all dealer service — asking $[PRICE]
Bought new/CPO in [YEAR]. Single owner since. Garage-kept, non-smoker.
All service at [DEALER]; records available; recent [MAJOR SERVICE].
Options: [SPECIFIC PACKAGES, e.g. "Premium Plus, Driver Assistance Plus,
Bang & Olufsen, panoramic roof"].
Pre-purchase inspection welcome at any [BRAND] specialist.
Local cash or cashier's check; available [DAYS/TIMES] in [NEIGHBORHOOD].
Long
Same structure as Template 1, with these additions:
SERVICE HISTORY
Full dealer service from new at [DEALER] in [CITY]. Service binder included with sale.
Major services completed:
- [MILES] - [SERVICE]
- [MILES] - [SERVICE]
Last service: [DATE] - [SERVICE].
Next due: [DATE / MILES] - [SERVICE].
OPTIONS PACKAGES
[SPECIFIC ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT - "Premium Plus Package," "M Sport Package,"
"Cold Weather Package," "Driver Assistance Plus"]
PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION
Welcome at any [BRAND] specialist within reasonable distance.
I'll go along; buyer pays for the inspection.
Template 5: Project car / non-running
For: cars listed because they don't run, are wrecked, or are sold for parts.
Short
[YEAR] [MAKE] [MODEL] — [WHAT'S WRONG IN PLAIN TERMS] — body straight, no rust,
[WHAT'S STILL GOOD: TRANSMISSION/INTERIOR/ELECTRICAL] — clean/salvage title —
$[PRICE] OBO — non-runner, you arrange tow
Specifics:
- [WHAT FAILED, e.g. "Engine: rod knock at idle, not driveable"]
- [WHAT'S CONFIRMED GOOD, e.g. "Transmission shifted smoothly through all gears
before the engine failure"]
- [BODY/INTERIOR CONDITION]
- [ANY VALUABLE PARTS, e.g. "Recently rebuilt suspension, new alternator Jan 2025"]
- [TITLE STATUS]
- [MILEAGE AT LAST DRIVE]
Buyer arranges tow; available to view [DAYS/TIMES] in [NEIGHBORHOOD].
Will sign over title at meet-up; bill of sale prepared.
For more on this category, see the non-running car listing playbook.
Template 6: Coming-off-lease
For: cars whose lease just ended and the seller bought out the residual to flip privately.
Short
[YEAR] [MAKE] [MODEL] [TRIM] — [MILES] miles — original lease, just bought out —
clean title in my name — asking $[PRICE]
Original 36-month lease at [DEALER]; bought out the residual on [DATE]. Maintained
through dealer per the lease agreement. Records on file. [WEAR ITEMS REPLACED IF ANY].
Title is clean in my name. Pre-purchase inspection welcome at any [BRAND] specialist.
Local cash or cashier's check at meet-up; VIN shared on commitment to viewing.
How to use these templates
- Replace the bracketed fields with your specifics. Don't leave any brackets in the published version.
- Trim what doesn't apply. If you don't have a tow package, skip the "TOW PACKAGE" line.
- Add what's specific to your car. Recent suspension work, replacement headlights, Carfax-confirmed accident-free, brand-specific notable options.
- Keep the structure. Lede + body sections + logistics line. Mixing the order tanks readability.
- Format for the platform. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist use the short version; Cars.com and AutoTrader use the long version.
ListMyCar generates these templates automatically from your VIN and a few specifics — no fill-in-the-blank needed.
Common mistakes
Leaving the bracketed placeholders. Buyers see "[YEAR] [MAKE] [MODEL]" and assume scam.
Using the same template across platforms without adjustment. Facebook's short format doesn't work on Cars.com; Cars.com's long format gets cut off on Facebook's mobile view.
Padding with stock equipment. "Automatic transmission, air conditioning, power windows" wastes the lede. Buyers assume baseline equipment unless flagged otherwise.
Skipping the disclosure. No template should be used without the honest disclosure of any flaw. Buyers find them at the meet-up regardless.
Copying a competitor's listing. Both Facebook and Cars.com flag duplicate descriptions. Adapt the template; don't copy a published listing word-for-word.
Frequently asked questions
Are these templates free to use?
Yes. Copy, paste, edit, publish. No attribution required.
Will these templates work on every car listing platform?
Yes for the four platforms covered (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Cars.com, AutoTrader). The principles transfer to OfferUp, eBay Motors, and brand-specific forums with minor format adjustments.
Can I use the same template for two different cars?
Yes, with each car's specifics filled in. Don't copy-paste a published listing without changing the specifics — both Facebook and Cars.com flag duplicates.
What if my car doesn't fit any of these templates?
Use the closest one and adapt. The structure (lede + body + logistics) works for every car category; the specifics change.
Do I need a different description for each platform?
The substance is the same. The length and format change. Facebook and Craigslist use the short version; Cars.com and AutoTrader use the long version.
How long should my Facebook Marketplace description be?
200-character lede + ~250-word body. Anything past the body gets cut off in mobile preview.
How long should my Cars.com or AutoTrader description be?
500–900 words structured into sections. Readers expect more depth on those platforms.
Should I include the VIN in the listing description?
Optional. Many sellers share the VIN in a direct message after a buyer commits to viewing. The structured fields on Cars.com / AutoTrader display the VIN automatically.
Can ListMyCar's AI generate these templates for me?
Yes. Paste your VIN, upload photos, answer a few specific-to-your-car questions, and we hand back the lede + body + platform-specific versions. About ten minutes total.
Should I use OBO in the lede or in the price field?
Both. Toggle the OBO field in the platform's structured price input AND mention OBO in the lede. Reinforces that you'll consider offers.
Ready to skip the templates?
Generate the lede, body, and platform-specific versions automatically from your VIN and photos. About ten minutes from upload to publish-ready.