When a driver in Wigan or Bolton needs an MOT, a service or a strange noise sorted, they usually want three answers quickly. Are you open? Can you fit me in? Roughly what will it cost?
An independent garage website that answers those questions clearly can win work from bigger chains and dealerships. Here's what to include.
1. Opening hours and how to book, at the top
Put your opening hours on the homepage, and keep them up to date for bank holidays and Christmas. Next to them, add a clear way to book:
- An online booking link or embedded booking system
- A phone link and an email address
- A short enquiry form for anything unusual
If you have a Google Business Profile, make sure the hours match.
2. Your MOT page: useful facts, not just "MOTs available"
An MOT page is a chance to be genuinely helpful. A few facts from GOV.UK you can use:
- When an MOT is due: by the third anniversary of a car's registration, then every year [1].
- Getting it done early: you can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date [1]. That's a useful line for customers who like to plan ahead.
- The maximum fee: GOV.UK sets a maximum MOT fee. For a car it's £54.85, and there's no VAT on the fee [2]. If you charge less, say so.
- Driving without a valid MOT can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 [1].
You can also point customers to GOV.UK's free MOT history checker [3], where they can see when their MOT expires.
Only describe your garage as an MOT test centre if you're authorised to test. The government publishes a detailed MOT testing guide for test stations [4].
3. Services, with "from" prices if you're comfortable
List what you do, in plain English:
- MOTs
- Servicing (interim and full)
- Diagnostics and warning lights
- Brakes, clutches, suspension and exhausts
- Tyres and tracking
- Air conditioning
"From" prices for common jobs, such as an interim service, help customers decide. If the price depends on the car, say what affects it.
4. Make booking easy on a phone
More than half of UK web traffic now comes from mobile phones: around 54% in September 2026, according to StatCounter [5]. Many people will look you up while they're out, or with a warning light on the dashboard. Big buttons, a short form and your hours near the top make a real difference.
5. Show the real garage
Use photos of your own workshop, team and vans, not stock images of a gleaming dealership. A tidy workshop photo says a lot. A short "about us" with how long you've been working on cars (if it's true) and the makes you know well helps people trust you.
6. Trust: registrations and memberships
If you belong to a trade body or a scheme, show it, but only if it's current, and link to the official register or member checker where one exists. Never claim an accreditation you don't hold. As well as damaging trust, misleading claims can break consumer protection law.
7. Courtesy cars, collection and waiting
Small details win bookings:
- Do you offer a courtesy car, or collection and delivery?
- Can customers wait, and is there Wi-Fi or coffee?
- How do you contact them if you find extra work, and do you always ask before going ahead?
That last point is worth saying clearly. Many drivers worry about surprise bills.
8. Genuine reviews
Ask every customer for a review, make it easy with a link (on your invoice or by text), and never offer discounts in exchange. Our guide shows how: How to Get More Google Reviews (Without Being Pushy).
9. Areas you cover
If you offer collection, list the areas you'll collect from. Keep it honest and specific, rather than copy-paste pages for every town. Our local SEO guide explains why.
Quick checklist
- [ ] Opening hours and booking at the top
- [ ] A helpful MOT page (only if you're an authorised test centre)
- [ ] Services with "from" prices or what affects the price
- [ ] Phone-friendly booking
- [ ] Real photos of your garage and team
- [ ] Memberships shown only if current
- [ ] Courtesy car, collection and "we always ask first"
- [ ] Genuine reviews
How Yesmo can help
We build garage websites entirely by email. See web design for garages. On our prices page:
- Starter (£549): up to 5 pages, a contact form, a map, and set-up to show in local Google searches.
- Business (£999): up to 10 pages, copywriting, booking or enquiry forms, a gallery, and you can edit it yourself (with an active Care plan).
- Add-ons: online booking on Starter (£75) and an instant quote calculator (£150).
- Build times, once we have your content: Starter 7 calendar days, Business 14 working days.
No VAT to add: prices are final.
Email hello@yesmo.co.uk with your garage's name, town and what you do. You'll get a free proof, usually within 2 working days. No calls needed.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice.
Sources
Checked 25 Oct 2026. 1. GOV.UK, "Getting an MOT": https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot 2. GOV.UK, "Getting an MOT: MOT costs": https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/mot-test-fees 3. GOV.UK, "Check the MOT history of a vehicle": https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history 4. GOV.UK, "MOT testing guide for test stations": https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-testing-guide 5. StatCounter, Desktop vs Mobile vs Tablet market share, United Kingdom, September 2026: https://gs.statcounter.com/platform-market-share/desktop-mobile-tablet/united-kingdom