MOTs are predictable work: in Great Britain, every car over three years old needs one every year. The garages that fill their diaries are the ones that make booking easy and remind people before the date comes round. Here are eight ways your website can do that.
Eight ways to fill the MOT diary
1. Online MOT booking with real slots
Let people pick a day and time on their phone, including in the evening when you are closed. Show only times you can really do, and send a confirmation straight away.
2. Show your MOT price
The maximum a test centre can charge for a car MOT is £54.85, a cap that has not changed since 2010 and that the Department for Transport has agreed to review, as the NFDA reports. Whatever you charge, put it on the booking page. If you offer MOT and service together, show that price too.
3. Send your own reminders
Ask customers at booking whether they would like a reminder next year, by text, email or WhatsApp. A reminder a month before, and another a week before, brings the car back to you instead of the garage down the road.
4. Point people to the official tools
GOV.UK has a check MOT history service and a MOT reminder service. Linking to them is helpful, and it shows you are an honest garage rather than one trying to hide anything.
5. Explain advisories, then offer to quote
Many drivers do not understand what an advisory means. A short page that explains advisories in plain English, with a button to get a quote for fixing them, turns a pass into extra work.
6. A page for each service
Servicing, tyres, brakes, diagnostics, air conditioning, clutches. One page each, with starting prices where you can. People search for the job they need, so each page is another way to be found.
7. The vehicles you test
Say which test classes you cover. Class 4 covers cars and most vans, and class 7 covers larger vans. People with a van or a motorhome want to know before they book.
8. Trust signals and practical details
Real photos of your workshop and team, Google reviews, any scheme you belong to such as The Motor Ombudsman, and the practical stuff: waiting area, courtesy car, local drop-off, and how long an MOT usually takes.
See it working
Our garage demo shows online MOT booking, clear prices, service pages and a reminder sign-up working together. Open the garage and MOT demo.
Where to start this week
- Put your MOT price and a "Book your MOT" button on the homepage.
- Start asking customers if they want a reminder next year.
- Add an advisories page with a quote button.
- Match your Google hours to your website.
We build websites, booking systems and Google profiles that bring in work for UK businesses. See your homepage design before you commit.