The renewal calendar every UK driver should keep

Most car admin happens once a year, which is exactly why it's so easy to forget — until a failed MOT, a lapsed policy or an uninsured drive turns a diary note you never made into a real problem. Here's the calendar worth keeping.

The dates that actually matter

MOT — every year, from the car's third birthday. The test is capped by law at £54.85. Handy trick: you can take it up to a month before it's due and keep your existing renewal date, so you never lose days by going early.

Insurance — every year. The one most worth diarising, because letting it auto-renew is often the most expensive thing you can do. Set a reminder three to four weeks before renewal and re-quote — the savings from ten minutes of shopping around can be substantial.

Road tax (VED) — annually or every six months. £200 a year for most petrol and diesel cars in 2026/27. The DVLA sends a reminder, but don't rely on it landing — an untaxed car is an easy, avoidable fine.

Service — annually or by mileage, whichever comes first. Check your handbook or the service light. Staying on schedule protects both the car and its resale value.

Breakdown cover — every year. Another one that auto-renews at a price that's rarely the best available. Re-quote when the reminder lands.

Tyres and seasonal checks. Not a fixed date, but a good habit: check tread and pressures before winter, when grip matters most and problems are most expensive to ignore.

The trick: put them where you'll actually see them

A reminder buried in an email from eighteen months ago won't save you. The drivers who never get caught out keep all of it in one place, with a nudge that lands before each deadline — early enough to shop around on insurance, book the MOT, or spread the tax. It's not complicated. It just has to be somewhere you'll look.

General information only, for the 2026/27 UK tax year. Fees and rules can change — always confirm current MOT, tax and insurance requirements at gov.uk and with your own providers.