#Who can manage vehicles in SimpliHome?
Vehicle management is an Admin-only feature (Circle Owner and Secondary Admin). Family members, Relatives, and Friends can view vehicle information but cannot add, edit, or delete vehicles.
#How do I add a vehicle?
- Go to Cars in the navigation
- Click Add Vehicle
- Enter the vehicle's registration number
- SimpliHome queries the DVLA database automatically and fills in the make, model, fuel type, colour, and MOT history
- Confirm the details are correct
- Add any additional information — insurance, road tax, breakdown cover, warranty
- Save
Most of the core vehicle data comes from the DVLA lookup, so you only need to enter the registration.
#What does SimpliHome fetch from the DVLA?
When you enter a registration number, SimpliHome retrieves:
- Make and model
- Year of manufacture
- Fuel type
- Body type and colour
- Current MOT status (pass/fail, expiry date)
- Full MOT history (test dates, results, mileage at each test, advisory and failure items)
This data comes directly from the DVLA and DVSA MOT database.
#What if the DVLA lookup fails or returns incorrect data?
If the lookup fails or the vehicle data looks wrong, you can still add the vehicle manually by entering the details yourself. Check the DVLA's own service (check-mot-status.service.gov.uk) to verify MOT details independently.
If you believe the DVLA data is incorrect, errors in the national database need to be corrected via the DVLA directly — SimpliHome displays what the DVLA holds.
#How does MOT tracking work?
SimpliHome stores your vehicle's current MOT expiry date and sends you email reminders before the MOT is due. You'll receive reminders at 30 days and again closer to the date.
MOT data is refreshed periodically from the DVLA, so if you've recently passed an MOT, the new expiry date will update automatically. You can also trigger a manual refresh from the vehicle record.
#What information can I track beyond the MOT?
For each vehicle you can record:
- Road tax (VED) — renewal date and cost
- Car insurance — provider, policy number, start and end dates, cost
- Breakdown cover — provider, policy number, renewal date
- Warranty — provider, expiry date, what's covered
- Parking permits — permit number, zone, expiry date
- Documents — upload MOT certificates, V5C logbook, insurance certificates, any vehicle paperwork
#Can I track road tax renewal?
Yes. In the vehicle record, add the road tax (VED) renewal date. SimpliHome will remind you before it's due. You can also record the annual cost.
#How do I add car insurance details?
Open the vehicle record and look for the Insurance section. Enter:
- Insurance provider
- Policy number
- Start date
- End date / renewal date
- Annual premium
- Type of cover (comprehensive, third party, etc.)
You'll receive reminders before your insurance is due to expire.
#Can I attach documents to a vehicle?
Yes. Each vehicle has a Documents section where you can upload:
- MOT certificates
- V5C logbook (registration document)
- Insurance certificates
- Warranty documents
- Servicing records
- Any other vehicle paperwork
Documents are stored securely and accessible from the vehicle record.
#How many vehicles can I add?
You can add as many vehicles as your Circle has. There's no fixed limit — add cars, vans, motorcycles, or any other registered vehicle.
#Can I see all upcoming vehicle renewals in one place?
Yes. The Admin dashboard includes a Vehicle Renewals panel showing MOT, road tax, and insurance expiries coming up across all vehicles in your Circle. You can also see this by viewing each vehicle's record individually.
#What happens when I sell or scrap a vehicle?
Remove the vehicle from SimpliHome once you no longer own it:
- Go to Cars
- Open the vehicle record
- Use the Delete option to remove it
This stops any renewal reminders for that vehicle and removes it from your dashboard.
#How do I refresh MOT data manually?
Open the vehicle record and look for the Refresh MOT button. This triggers a fresh query to the DVLA/DVSA database and updates the MOT status and expiry date with the latest information.
#The MOT date in SimpliHome is wrong. How do I fix it?
Use the Refresh MOT option on the vehicle record to pull the latest data from the DVLA. If the DVLA database itself has incorrect data, it needs to be corrected at source — speak to the garage that conducted the MOT or contact the DVSA.
#Where can I learn more about vehicle tracking?
Read the full Tracking Your Vehicles guide for a complete walkthrough.