Free Car Owner Tools
for UK Drivers

Keeping on top of your car's maintenance, MOT dates, and servicing can feel like a full-time job. That's why we built CarGarages.co.uk — a completely free set of tools designed to make car ownership easier for drivers across the UK. Whether you're checking when your MOT is due, looking for a reliable garage near you, or preparing your vehicle for its annual test, everything you need is right here in one place.

MOT Checking and Reminders

Our free MOT checker connects directly to the DVSA database, letting you see your MOT expiry date, full test history, and any advisories in seconds. Once you've checked your status, sign up for our free MOT reminder service to receive email alerts 28 days and 7 days before your certificate expires. You can track multiple vehicles from a single account — perfect for families or anyone managing more than one car.

Understanding Your MOT Results

When you check your MOT, you will see one of three outcomes: pass, fail, or pass with advisories. A pass means your car meets the minimum road safety and environmental standards. A fail means one or more items need repairing before the vehicle is roadworthy. Advisories are issues the tester has noted that are not serious enough to fail but could become problems before your next test — things like slightly worn brake discs, minor corrosion, or tyres approaching the 1.6mm legal minimum. It is good practice to address advisories promptly, as ignoring them often leads to a more expensive repair later or a failure at your next MOT.

Preparing for Your MOT Test

A little preparation goes a long way. Our free 44-point MOT checklist is a printable guide that walks you through every area tested during an MOT — from lights and brakes to tyres, dashboard warning lights, and bodywork. Checking these items before your test helps you catch common failure points early, potentially saving you the cost and hassle of a retest. Over 40% of MOT failures are caused by simple issues that drivers could have spotted and fixed beforehand, such as a blown bulb, worn wiper blades, or low tyre tread.

When to Service Your Car

Regular servicing keeps your car running reliably and helps maintain its value. Most manufacturers recommend an interim service every 6 months or 6,000 miles, and a full service every 12 months or 12,000 miles — whichever comes first. An interim service typically covers an oil and filter change, fluid top-ups, and a visual safety check. A full service includes everything in an interim plus air filter replacement, spark plug inspection, brake checks, and a more thorough examination of your vehicle's components. Sticking to your service schedule also means any developing issues are caught early, before they become expensive problems or MOT failures.

Finding and Comparing Local Garages

When it's time to book your MOT or get your car serviced, our garage directory lists 12,842 garages across 61 UK cities. Every listing includes Google-sourced ratings and reviews, services offered, contact details, and opening hours. Search by postcode to find garages near you, compare options side by side, and contact your preferred garage directly — no middleman, no booking fees.

Saving Favourites and Sharing

Found a garage you like? Create a free account to save garages to your favourites list. Add personal notes, compare your shortlisted garages, and even share your favourites list with family or friends via a unique link. It's the easiest way to keep track of reliable garages and make sure everyone in your household knows where to go when something needs fixing.

Your Rights as a Car Owner

As a UK car owner, you have important consumer rights when it comes to garage work. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, any work carried out on your vehicle must be done with reasonable care and skill, using parts of satisfactory quality, and completed within a reasonable time if no deadline is agreed. If a garage does substandard work, you are entitled to ask them to redo it at no extra cost, or to receive a partial or full refund. You are also entitled to a written quote before work begins, and a garage cannot charge more than the agreed price without your consent. For more guidance on choosing a trustworthy garage and understanding your options, visit our Auto Intelligence blog for expert guides and advice.