Free Card Machine for MOT Garages
A garage takes payment at the worst possible moment — when a customer has just been told their car needs £600 of work they weren't expecting. Bills are large and unpredictable, some are settled by a partner over the phone, and the reception desk is often unstaffed because everyone is in the workshop.
Why it works for mot garages
- ✓ Portable terminal that comes out to the customer
- ✓ MOTO for bills settled by a relative over the phone
- ✓ 0.85% blended on large repair invoices
Payment where the customer is
The terminal is hand-held, so it can be carried out to the forecourt or the workshop door rather than making a customer wait at an empty desk. Contactless clears a £45 MOT in seconds, and a chip-and-PIN entry handles the larger repair bills. Email receipts mean the paperwork for a company car or a warranty claim is in the customer's inbox before they have driven off.
Large bills, one rate
Repair invoices swing from £45 to £1,200, and a blended 0.85% treats them all the same: about 38p on a £45 test, around £10 on a £1,200 clutch and cambelt job. There is no rental, no authorisation fee per transaction and no PCI charge, so the cost of accepting cards is one predictable line rather than several. Amex is included at the same rate for customers who put larger bills on a rewards card.
Phone payments and collections after hours
It is common for a car to be collected by one person and paid for by another. MOTO payments let you take the money over the phone when the job is finished, so the keys are handed over cleanly. Funds arrive the next working day, which helps when parts factors want settling weekly and the workshop is carrying stock for jobs already booked in.
MOT Garages card machine FAQs
How it works
From form to first payment in 48 hours
Apply in 2 minutes
One short form. No paperwork. No credit checks to enquire.
Machine ships free
Arrives within 2 working days, fully set up and ready to trade.
Start taking payments
Next-day payouts from day one — including weekends.
Compare all UK providers
| Provider | Monthly cost | vs Shift4 |
|---|---|---|
| Shift4 | £43 | — |
| Worldpay | £70 | +£28/mo |
| Barclaycard | £77 | +£35/mo |
| Takepayments | £82 | +£40/mo |
| Dojo | £83 | +£40/mo |
| SumUp | £84 | +£42/mo |
| Square | £88 | +£45/mo |
| Zettle | £88 | +£45/mo |
| Paymentsense | £91 | +£49/mo |
Want your exact saving?Send Jamie your merchant statement — same day analysis, no obligation.
Email my statementBased on published UK rates. 60/40 debit/credit split assumed. Shift4 rate of 0.85% blended — confirmed on application.
How we compare
Based on £5,000 card turnover / month
- Shift4 Card Machine£43/moNo monthly rentalNo contract
- Worldpay£55/mo£17.5/mo rental18–24 months contract
- Dojo£65/mo£20/mo rental18 months contract
- Barclaycard£65/mo£20/mo rental18 months contract
- Takepayments£72/mo£22/mo rental18 months contract
- SumUp£84/moNo monthly rentalNo contract
- Paymentsense£85/mo£25/mo rental18 months contract
- Square£88/moNo monthly rentalNo contract
- Zettle£88/moNo monthly rentalNo contract
Indicative. Based on published UK rates. Your actual cost depends on card mix.
Talk to us about your mot garages business
15 minutes, no pressure.