March and September are the two heaviest MOT months in the UK. Workshops that plan the peak win the year.
Widen capacity 3 weeks before
Add a Saturday, add an evening or extend Wednesday hours 3 weeks before the peak — customers book ahead.
Require deposits on new customers
First-time bookings on peak Saturdays should require a modest deposit. It cuts no-shows dramatically.
Reserve retest slots
Reserve one retest slot per bay per day. Retest customers who can't rebook go elsewhere and don't come back.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I discount off-peak instead?
- Yes — cheaper MOTs in November/January are a common lever.
Try GarageOS free
Modern garage management software built for UK independent workshops.