MOT Bay Spotlight: Is Your Workshop Ready for Peak MOT Season?

March is one of the busiest periods in the automotive calendar, MOT season, when a huge volume of MOTs are booked in and completed. For many garages, MOT testing isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s one of the most reliable, recurring revenue streams the business has. Adding or upgrading an MOT bay at this time of year isn’t just about compliance; it’s a smart commercial decision that can help balance income all year round.

MOTs deliver something every workshop values: guaranteed footfall. By law, every vehicle over three years old must undergo an MOT test annually, which means a steady stream of customers through your doors. That footfall rarely stops at the test itself. MOTs naturally lead to additional servicing and repair work, helping garages maximise each visit whilst building long-term customer relationships. Dependable, repeat business such as this is incredibly valuable, no matter what type of workshop you are.

March is traditionally one of the busiest MOT months of the year, driven largely by a surge in new car registrations at this time. Add to that customers preparing their vehicles after winter wear and tear, and demand increases quickly. It’s the perfect “spring clean” moment for vehicles and for workshops. With demand about to peak, now is the perfect time to make sure your MOT setup is ready to perform efficiently, safely, and without disruption.

March is also the deadline for the annual MOT Training & Assessment. Every year, all MOT testers must complete this by March 31st. This applies to both existing testers and anyone looking to begin MOT testing.

The requirements include:

• 3 hours of approved MOT training, logged on the electronic training log on your MTS profile
• An online assessment to confirm understanding, which can be taken anywhere.

The assessment takes around one hour and consists of 30 multiple-choice questions. It’s open book, so you can refer to the MOT Inspection Manual and your own notes as much as you’d like to help achieve the required 80% pass mark.

The MOT assessment is non-negotiable, as it is a crucial part of offering MOT services. Without passing it, you cannot continue to carry out MOTs or begin offering them at all.

MOT Equipment

MOT standards are constantly updated to reflect changes in vehicle design, safety systems, and technology. As vehicles become increasingly complex and tech-heavy, staying up to date is essential. Completing the annual training and assessment ensures accuracy, credibility, and, most importantly, improved safety for customers on the road.

Even with trained testers, your MOT offering is only as strong as the equipment supporting it. An MOT Bay relies on multiple critical components, from brake testers and headlamp testers to gas and smoke analysers, and 4-post lifts.

If one vital piece of equipment fails, it can take your MOT bay out of action entirely, threatening one of your most important continuous revenue streams. Modern MOT testing demands reliable, compliant equipment that supports efficiency, accuracy, and safety. Outdated or unsuitable setups can slow testing, limit capacity, and create unnecessary downtime.

Why Choose Straightset?

Straightset works as a solution partner, not just a supplier. Whether you’re upgrading an existing MOT bay or designing and equipping a brand-new one, our team can provide expert advice and support at every stage.

We offer:

• Complete MOT bay solutions for Class IV & Class VII testing
• A range of both recessed in-ground 4-post lifts and above-ground, quick-install 4-post lift options
• Fully compliant MOT equipment, including brake testers, headlamp testers, gas and smoke analysers and more.

We only supply reliable, high-quality equipment from trusted manufacturers, because buying cheaply often means buying twice. As a UK-based company with a customer-first philosophy, Straightset backs every installation with nationwide support, service contract options, and free access to our customer QR portal. This helps you manage daily checks and keep your equipment running efficiently for longer. Our goal here really is simple: to help garages future-proof their service offerings.

With peak MOT season approaching fast and the deadline for the MOT assessment just on the horizon, now is the time to ensure your garage is fully prepared, and at Straightset, we’re always happy to help our customers get the most out of their equipment.

Speak to our friendly team today by phone on 01909 480055 or email us at [email protected], and make sure your workshop is MOT-ready.