Book MOT, Servicing, Repairs

  • Access 6,000+ trusted garages near you
  • Exclusive discounts when you book in Caura
  • Book a garage 14x faster than anywhere else
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What can you book in Caura

  1. MOT
  2. Car service: Interim, full and major
  3. Repairs
  4. Investigation

Caura's car maintenance features

MOT

  • Check your MOT due date
  • Get timely in-app and email reminders when your MOT is due
  • See your full MOT history
  • See your mileage history
  • Book an MOT in 30 seconds

Service

  • Book an interim service: 26 point inspection
  • Book a full service: 34 point inspection
  • Book a major service: 43 point inspection

Repair & Investigation

  • Book all car repair work
  • Review and pay for work in-app
  • Book an investigation to identify any car problems

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Vehicle maintenance

How it works

Go from zero to book in 30 seconds Here's how

Step 1: Select your preferred local garage

Take your pick from our network of 6,000+ 5-star garages:

  • OEMs (Main dealerships)
  • Nation chains (Halfords, Bosch etc..)
  • Independent garages

Step 2: Choose what work you want done

  • MOT
  • Service
  • Repair

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Step 3: Select the dates you're available

We work around your schedule - select as many dates as you like and your garage will confirm a slot the same day

Book MOT, servicing and repairs

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Vehicle check-in

What happens once you've dropped off your vehicle

  1. Track the progress of your booking in-app
  2. Review any additional work before it goes ahead, approve and decline in-app
  3. Collect your vehicle once you've been notified

All your car admin. In one place.

Caura brings together all aspects of managing your car into one single app. We don't just send you admin reminders or let you book MOTs, servicing and car repairs.

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Welcome to everything car. All in one place.

FAQ

Questions?

Find answers to common questions here. If you can't find what you're looking for then email us on support@caura.com and we'll get back to you.

My account
Do I have to sign up to access Caura?

Yes. To enjoy the benefits of Caura, like timely reminders for tax and insurance, and ultrafast city charge and toll payments, you’ll need to create an account. This is so we can let you know about important expiry dates and booking details.

Can I change the email address I use for Caura?

You can’t currently change your email address on Caura (but we are working on it). As a workaround, you can log out of your current account and sign up with a new email address. We won’t be able to transfer the history over.

What happens if I forget my account credentials?

Easily done. Just tap ‘Forgot Password’ on the Log In screen - we’ll send you a password reset link via your registered email address. If you used your Google or Apple profile details (instead of an email address) to create your account, you’ll need to continue to use this sign-in method.

My account has been suspended, why?

Your account may be suspended as a precaution if we see evidence of fraud or a violation of our terms of service. Please email support@caura.com or send us a message in-app, and we can investigate this with you.

How do I delete my account?

Please email support@caura.com or send us a message in-app, and we can take care of that for you. Please feel free to let us know why you want to leave, as we’re always working to improve Caura for drivers like you.

Managing vehicles
How do I add or remove vehicles from my account?

To add a vehicle, simply swipe to the left on your current vehicle or tap the ‘+’ icon on the Home screen. To remove a vehicle, tap and hold on the vehicle image.

My vehicle cannot be found when I add my number plate, why not? 

All vehicles registered with the DVLA should show on Caura. Please make sure you are entering a valid number plate recognised by the DVLA. If the problem persists please email support@caura.com. 

Why can’t I see my updated vehicle details (e.g. tax, MOT) on Caura?

If you have made the update on Caura (e.g. paid for tax on Caura), it should update automatically within a few days. If it doesn't, you can pull down the image of your vehicle from the Home screen, which will refresh the app.

Notifications & reminders
Do I need to enable notifications? 

Caura notifications help keep you updated on any upcoming renewal or expiry dates for your vehicle, as well as important transaction details. If you’re an AutoPay user, you’ll need to have them on so we can contact you in case of failed payment or changes to your AutoPay status.

I turned off notifications, how do I re-enable them?

If you turned off push notifications, you can enable again by going to Settings on your device and scrolling down to Apps and selecting Caura. From there, simply switch on ‘Allow Notifications’ from within the Permissions section. 

Does Caura tell me whether I’ve driven into a charging zone (e.g. ULEZ)? 

Only Caura AutoPay users will receive notifications confirming they have entered a charging zone, and this currently only applies to London Congestion, ULEZ & LEZ charges. When you drive into these London charging zones, TfL automatically recognises your vehicle and up to 5 days later they notify us of your journey. We’ll then let you know and automatically take payment from your card. 

What expiry reminders can Caura provide for my vehicle? 

Caura helps keep you updated on upcoming renewal or expiry dates for you vehicle, including tax, MOT and insurance. You’ll need to manually add your insurance renewal date into the app, MOT and tax reminders will be generated automatically.

Managing payment methods
How do I add or remove a payment method?

You can add, remove and set your default payment method via the Payment Methods screen, accessed via the Account tab. To remove a payment method, swipe it to the left. To set a payment method as the default option, swipe it to the right.  

What if I need to change my AutoPay payment method?

Go to your AutoPay account in-app (by going to the City Charges screen). From your AutoPay account, tap the current payment method selected. You can then choose to change your payment method tied to your AutoPay, either select an existing payment method or add a new card to Caura. 

MOT
What is an MOT test and why is it important?

The MOT test is a yearly inspection of vehicle safety to make sure it is safe to drive on public roads, and meets government set environmental standards.

If your vehicle doesn't have a valid MOT, you won't be able to renew your road tax and it will also invalidate your insurance

What does MOT stand for?

MOT stands for Ministry of Transport - the department originally responsible for ensuring vehicle roadworthiness. The test is now operated by the Department of Transport, who are responsible for the development and regulation of transport policy in the UK, and ensuring the safety and security of the UK’s transport networks

What is VOSA?

VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) was an executive agency that was responsible for enforcing the regulation of vehicles and operators. It merged with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) in 2014 to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)

How long does an MOT take?

The test takes around 30 minutes for vehicles between 3 to 5 years old, and around 45 minutes for vehicles older than 5 years

Which vehicles are MOT exempt?

Most vehicles less than three years old don’t need an MOT. You also don’t need an MOT if you’re driving a historic vehicle that was registered more than 40 years ago. You can find a list of MOT exempt vehicles here. Remember – if you think your vehicle is MOT exempt, you will need to apply for exemption via the government website

Can I book my MOT via Caura?

Yes. All vehicles including motorcycles can book an MOT via Caura. We also offer Class 7 MOTs – an MOT test specifically for commercial vehicles. Simply download the app if you don’t have it already, enter your vehicle registration number and tap on ‘Book Garage’ to book

How to book MOT tests near me?

You can book an MOT with local, trusted mechanics in Caura. Simply enter your reg plate and postcode in-app to book a garage near you

How can I check my vehicle’s MOT due date?

Check your MOT due date in Caura by entering your vehicle registration number. If your MOT is due in 30 days or less, you’ll see a reminder on the home screen. Then, simply press ‘Book Garage’ to find and book with a garage near you

Can I book an MOT for tomorrow?

Yes, depending on the garage’s availability. Simply select all your available dates in Caura and we’ll let you know if the earliest slots you can book

Can I drive without MOT?

No, driving without an MOT is illegal. If caught, you could be fined up to £2,500 if you’re driving a car or get handed an unlimited fine if you’re driving a van

How can I check a vehicle’s MOT history?

Your vehicle’s MOT history can be found in your vehicle logbook. If you don’t have access to this, you can check your MOT history via the government website. Very soon, you’ll also be able to see your MOT history in the Caura app so keep your eyes peeled

How early can I book my MOT?

You can book an MOT two months before its expiry date. However, the earliest date for your test can only be up to a month before its expiry date. For example, if your MOT runs out on 23rd May 2023, you can book an MOT from the 24th of March, however your earliest test date you can book will be the 24th of April

Remember, if you book an MOT a month in advance, you will keep the same renewal date. Don’t wait till the last minute, book as soon as possible

Where can I book an MOT test?

Easiest way to book an MOT is in the Caura app. All you need to do is enter your vehicle registration number into the app and book with a local mechanic Remember, if you book an MOT a month in advance, you will keep the same renewal date. Don’t wait till the last minute, book as soon as possible at vetted garages near you

Do you do Class 7 MOTs?

Yes, we offer MOTs for all vehicles including Class 7 vehicles (commercial vehicles), cars and motorcycles

What’s the difference between car service and MOT?

An MOT is just an inspection of your vehicle whereas a car service could also include repairs and maintenance work to get your car into the best possible shape.

You can book a car service in the Caura app

If my car fails its MOT test, how much will the MOT retest be?

If you leave your car at the same garage and repairs are done within 10 working days, the garage should conduct a free partial retest. You may also get a free partial retest if you take your car to a different garage for repairs and bring it back the next working day.

If you take your car away for repairs and bring it back within 10 working days, the garage can choose to charge you a small MOT fee for the retest.

For any MOT retests done at a different garage or after 10 working days from the original test date, you will need to book a complete MOT again and pay the full fee. Find out more about MOT retests here

What documents do I need for MOT?

You don’t need to take any documents to your MOT test. Garages will be able to access all the information they need via the DVLA

What happens after the MOT test?

If you’ve passed your MOT, you can continue to drive the vehicle as normal

If you’ve failed your MOT, the tester will list all the faults found with the vehicle on the MOT certificate. You will need to get all faults repaired and pass an MOT retest before you can continue driving your vehicle

Can you tax a car without MOT?

No. You will need to have a valid MOT before taxing your vehicle

If your car tax has expired and you haven’t booked an MOT yet, remember to keep it off public roads and in a private garage to avoid a hefty £1,000 fine

Once you’ve booked your MOT, you can also renew your car tax in the Caura app in less than 20 seconds – all you need is your V11 or V5C details

Renew your car tax in Caura today

How long is an MOT certificate valid for?

Your MOT certificate will be valid for a year from the date your vehicle passed the MOT test. Find out more about your MOT certificate here

My MOT certificate has expired, will this invalidate my insurance?

Yes. If having a valid MOT is part of your policy (which is usually the case), then your insurance will be invalidated, and you won’t be able to make a claim

What’s not checked during an MOT?

The condition of the engine, clutch and gearbox is not checked during an MOT

Is there an MOT grace period?

No. As soon as your MOT has expired, it becomes illegal to drive your car on the road. The only exception is if you’re driving your vehicle to the MOT test, so long as the test has been booked and you can show proof of appointment

What is the penalty for driving without an MOT?

The fine for driving without an MOT is £1,000. However, you can be fined up to £2,500 for cars or be given an unlimited fine for vans if you’re caught driving without an MOT and the vehicle is deemed as dangerous

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