Almost two-thirds of car owners want proactive aftersales reminders
63% would be more likely to book a service or MOT with a retailer that issues a personalised reminder; just 11% would be less likely
Younger car owners most likely to want these reminders
Email is the preferred method of communication for half the respondents; only a quarter would welcome a phone call
Likelihood of making a booking jumps to 83% when service and MOT reminders can be combined into one visit
TekCor4 provides AI-enhanced contact plans, which use data from the DVSA to monitor MOT due dates
Nearly two-thirds (63%) of UK car owners say they would be more likely to make an aftersales booking with a retailer that reminds them of upcoming service or MOT due dates, according to a new survey commissioned by automotive data and digital marketing firm, TekCor4. That proportion is highest among younger car owners, and when the retailer takes steps to combine service and MOT work into a single visit.
The survey invited 1,000 UK car owners to say whether they agree or disagree with the statement: ‘I would be more likely to book my car in for a service or MOT with a dealer that monitors the date on which it is due and makes the effort to contact me about it in advance.’ Nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents ‘strongly agree’, while 40% ‘agree’. Just 11% disagreed.
The survey found that the preference for reminders is highest among younger car owners, with 88% of those aged 18 to 24 saying they ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statement, versus 56% of those in the 45-to-54 age bracket.
TekCor4 argues the findings highlight the importance of accurate customer data, as well as a role for digital automation in creating and distributing personalised reminders at scale. Using VoiceBox Predictions, retailers turn their own DMS data into ready-to-action leads - flagging exactly which customers are due a service or MOT, and what work their vehicle is likely to need based on vehicle history and service schedules. Each lead is scored by loyalty and lifetime value, so retailers can prioritise outreach and present customers with a clear picture of their service needs ahead of the appointment, boosting trust, workshop utilisation, and retention
Across all age brackets, the most-preferred communication method for these reminders is email (cited by 51%), followed by text message (25%). Just 6% of those asked would prefer to be reminded initially via a call to a mobile or landline.
Combining reminders boosts bookings
The study also found that an overwhelming majority (83%) agreed with the statement: ‘I would be more likely to book my car in to a workshop that helped me combine service and MOT work into just one visit’. Only 2% disagreed.
TekCor4’s VoiceBox cross-references the retailer’s customer records with MOT due dates stored by the DVSA, updating inaccurate records in the DMS and issuing a personalised email encouraging the recipient to book an appointment. This maximises conversions and gives time back to aftersales teams.
When analysing data from its own retailer clients, TekCor4 found that in 2026 to date its combined service and MOT reminders received a 47% average open rate, compared to 38% when service reminders were sent separately.
Jeremy Evans, Director, Marketing Services for TekCor4, commented: “Making sure aftersales customers are contacted in the right way and at the right time is vital for keeping workshop utilisation and profitability high. It also serves to reintroduce customers back into the sales funnel, encouraging customers to value their car or offering vehicles that are similar to the one that they already own, but newer or with lower mileage.”