Free templates
MOT reminder templates for garages
Copy-paste text message, WhatsApp and email wording that brings MOT work back through the door — with the timing that works. Free to use, no sign-up. Or let Garage Desk send them automatically.
When to send MOT reminders
One reminder is easy to miss; three land the booking. The cadence that works for most garages: a friendly heads-up 4 weeks out (a car can be tested up to a month early and keep its renewal date), a nudge 1–2 weeks out, and a last-chance message a couple of days before expiry. A win-back message a week or two after expiry catches the ones that slipped through.
MOT reminder text message templates
Swap the [brackets] for your details. The same wording works for SMS and WhatsApp — keep it under 3 lines, name the car, name the date, and give one clear way to book.
First reminder
4 weeks before the MOT is dueHi [First name], it's [Garage name]. The MOT on your [Make] [Reg] is due on [Due date]. Reply or call [Phone] to book it in — we'll get you a slot that suits. Thanks!
Second reminder
1–2 weeks beforeHi [First name], quick reminder from [Garage name] — the MOT on [Reg] runs out on [Due date]. We still have slots this week. Call [Phone] or book online: [Booking link]
Last chance
2–3 days before[First name], the MOT on [Reg] expires on [Due date] — after that it can't legally be driven except to a booked test. We can fit you in before then. Call [Phone] now — [Garage name]
Expired / win-back
1–2 weeks after expiryHi [First name], our records show the MOT on [Reg] expired on [Due date]. If it's not been tested elsewhere, we can book it straight in — call [Phone]. [Garage name]
MOT reminder email template
Subject lines that get opened — short, specific, with the reg or due date up front:
- MOT due [Due date] — [Reg]
- Your [Make]'s MOT runs out on [Due date]
- Time to book: MOT due soon on [Reg]
Email body
Five rules that make reminders convert
- Name the car and the date.“Your MOT is due soon” gets ignored; “the MOT on AB12 CDE runs out on 14 August” gets a booking.
- One call to action. A phone number or a booking link — not a paragraph of options.
- Use the real DVSA due date. Guessing from your last invoice sends reminders for cars tested elsewhere. Pull the actual expiry from MOT history.
- Send from your garage’s name. Customers book with the garage they know, not an anonymous number.
- Have consent. Reminders to your own customers about their own car are the kind of message people want — but keep a record that they opted in, and honour opt-outs.
Or stop sending them by hand
Templates fix the wording; they don’t fix the remembering. The garages that never lose an MOT customer automate it: Garage Desk’s MOT reminders read the real due date from DVSA MOT history and email each customer automatically as it approaches — with your garage name on it and a link to book online. Set it up once and every customer gets reminded, every time.
Send every MOT reminder automatically
Garage Desk pulls the real MOT due date from DVSA, emails your customer as it approaches, and takes the booking online. Free for 7 days, no card.