Independent garages are being urged to look beyond the long-running debate over MOT fees and find immediate ways to increase the value of every testing slot, as ClickMechanic backs calls for more sustainable economics on testing.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is making the case to government for an increase in the statutory MOT fee cap to £95, reflecting 16 years of rising overheads, connected equipment investment, and skilled technician wage inflation. Meanwhile, the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) is championing a statutory £54.85 minimum price to help tackle discounting and protect workshop margins.
ClickMechanic supports all calls for an MOT fee review, agreeing that testing stations need improved commercial returns after more than a decade and a half of frozen fees. Alongside the longer-term push for regulatory change, however, the booking platform says garages can take practical steps now to increase the value of their MOT work.
Through ClickMechanic, workshops and technicians can fulfil MOT with Collection & Delivery, priced at £98, giving motorists a convenient vehicle collection and return service while increasing the net revenue from each test.
“The IGA and the IAAF are doing fantastic, necessary work in highlighting the severe cost pressures facing MOT stations,” said Andrew Jervis, Co-Founder and CEO of ClickMechanic. “Whether looking at the IGA’s case for a long-overdue fee cap increase or the IAAF’s focus on establishing a sensible price floor, the entire trade agrees that workshops need healthier, sustainable economics.
“While trade bodies continue to make the sector’s voice heard with policymakers, there is also a tremendous commercial opportunity for garages to take control of their booking values today. Motorists lead busy lives and are actively looking for hassle-free options. By offering an MOT with Collection & Delivery at £98, workshops give customers a tangible service they value, while securing a transaction level that reflects the £95+ return the industry rightly warrants.”
Beyond MOT with collection and delivery, workshops can also drive stronger slot returns by bundling the annual test with scheduled servicing or thorough pre-MOT inspections. Combining these services allows garages to secure higher overall booking values upfront while catching common failure points before a vehicle hits the ramp.
“Bundling the MOT with routine maintenance or dedicated pre-checks turns a standard statutory test into a far more productive workshop booking,” added Andrew. “We fully support the industry bodies fighting for fair statutory frameworks, and we want to empower independent workshops with practical booking models that maximise workshop revenue today.”
Operating with no joining fees or subscriptions, ClickMechanic provides workshops with pre-booked repair and servicing work on a pay-on-completion basis.
Independent workshops and mobile technicians can learn more about joining the ClickMechanic network at https://www.clickmechanic.com/mechanics/home.
