Almost two-thirds of UK car owners would prefer to bring their MOT appointment forward if given the option, according to a new survey commissioned by Marketing Delivery.
The results support the company’s efforts to encourage earlier bookings through targeted aftersales campaigns aimed at smoothing workshop demand.
The survey found that 60% of motorists agreed with the statement: “I’d prefer to book my MOT up to a month (minus a day) earlier if I could still keep the original renewal schedule.”
While 78% of all respondents were aware that this was possible, awareness was lower among younger drivers, with half of 18- to 24-year-olds unaware they could book early and retain their existing MOT date.
Charlotte Murray, managing director at Marketing Delivery, said: “There is a very receptive market for these ‘MOT pull forward’ campaigns, and workshops can introduce time-limited incentives to further maximise response rates, for example by offering price promises on consumables such as tyres and wiper blades.”
Marketing Delivery is currently running early booking campaigns for its retailer clients, using its VoiceBox platform to send personalised emails and SMS messages to customers with MOTs due in August or September.
“The platform, which integrates with retailer DMS systems and accesses DVSA records, also supports seasonal campaigns and follow-ups on advisory work.
“It is an Approved Partner of Keyloop, enabling automatic updates within the DMS.
Murray added: “Our VoiceBox platform can automatically identify those customers who are due an MOT and deliver a tailored message encouraging them to make an earlier booking.”
Marketing Delivery’s data from the first half of 2025 shows that combined MOT and service reminders – when both are due within 30 days—achieve a 44% conversion rate.
A previous survey by the company found that 68% of UK car owners would be more likely to book with a dealer that proactively reminds them of an upcoming MOT or service, with only 5% saying such reminders wouldn’t influence them.
