How it Works
From downloading the app to getting real insights about your vehicle — here's the complete journey, step by step.
Each phase shows what happens automatically with motiBuddie (our OBD2 device) and what you can do manually without it.
Download the app
Free on iOS and Android. Create your account with email or social login in under 30 seconds.
Add your car
Enter your car's details manually — or plug in motiBuddie and let it fill everything in automatically.
Start driving
Moticar tracks your trips, costs, and vehicle health in the background. Just drive — the app handles the rest.
What happens after you set up
Once your car is added, Moticar works with you every day. Here's what each part of the experience looks like — with and without motiBuddie.
Your trips are recorded
Every time you drive, Moticar can log where you went, how far, and how long it took. This builds a complete picture of how your car is used over time.
Happens automatically
- Trips recorded when you start and stop the engine
- Route, distance, duration, and fuel all captured
- Driving style scored (smooth vs aggressive)
- You never need to open the app
Log it yourself
- Open the app and add a trip manually
- Enter the start, end, and estimated distance
- No driving behaviour or fuel data
- Easy to forget — most trips go unlogged
Your expenses are tracked
Fuel, car washes, repairs, tyres, insurance — everything gets logged and categorised. Over time, you see exactly where your money goes.
Smart fuel prompts
- Detects when you've refuelled and asks you to confirm
- Calculates your real cost per kilometre automatically
- Flags unusual fuel consumption spikes
- All other expenses still logged with a quick tap
Quick manual entry
- Tap "+" and pick a category — takes under 10 seconds
- Enter the amount from your receipt or memory
- No cost-per-km calculation without mileage data
- Budget alerts still work based on your spending
Your car's health is monitored
Know what's going on under the bonnet before small issues become expensive ones. Moticar makes engine data accessible and understandable.
Live engine insights
- See battery voltage, coolant temperature, and engine load
- Fault codes translated into plain English
- Estimated repair cost and urgency level shown
- Get alerted before problems become breakdowns
Helpful reference info
- See your car's recommended specs (battery, oil, fuel)
- Suggested brands for common replacement parts
- Log your car's condition manually for your records
- No live readings or fault alerts
You get reminded before things are due
Oil changes, tyre rotations, insurance renewals, vehicle licence expiry — Moticar reminds you at the right time so nothing slips through the cracks.
Based on how you actually drive
- "Oil change due in 1,200 km" — based on real mileage
- Heavy driving month? Reminders adjust automatically
- Aggressive braking? Brake pad reminder comes sooner
Based on your calendar
- "Oil change in 30 days" — fixed time intervals
- You set the schedule yourself
- Same reminder whether you drive a little or a lot
Both paths include document expiry reminders — MOT, insurance, vehicle licence — with alerts 30, 14, and 3 days before they expire.
Your car stays protected
With motiBuddie plugged in, Moticar watches over your vehicle even when you're not there — and sends you instant alerts if something seems off.
Always-on security
- Vibration detected while parked → instant alert
- Device tampered with → immediate notification
- Track your car's location on a live map
- Collision detected → crash alert with GPS coordinates
- Overspeed alerts when you or someone else drives too fast
Not available
- Security features require the motiBuddie device
- The app will show you what you're missing
- Upgrade anytime to unlock full protection
You get smarter over time
Moticar learns from your data and gives you personalised tips, reports, and a clear picture of your vehicle's value — so you can make better decisions.
The full picture
- Weekly and monthly reports with trends and comparisons
- Vehicle valuation based on verified mileage and history
- Exportable vehicle report for insurance or resale
- AI tips: "Your fuel use is 18% above average — check your air filter"
Expense-based insights
- Monthly spending breakdown by category
- Estimated valuation based on what you've entered
- General cost-saving tips for your car type
- More data = better insights over time
What motiBuddie adds
Moticar works great on its own. motiBuddie makes it effortless.
| Feature | With motiBuddie | Without motiBuddie |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Automatic — plug in and confirm | Manual — enter your car details |
| Trips | Logged automatically, every time | Logged by you, when you remember |
| Fuel tracking | Smart prompts + cost per km | Manual receipt entry |
| Mileage | Always accurate, GPS-verified | Self-reported, often estimated |
| Maintenance | Reminders based on real usage | Reminders on a fixed schedule |
| Car health | Live readings and fault alerts | Reference values only |
| Security | Tamper, vibration, GPS, crash alerts | Not available |
| Valuation | Higher confidence, exportable report | Estimated, fewer data points |
Ready to see what your car really costs?
Download Moticar for free and start tracking. Add motiBuddie when you want the full automatic experience.
Download the mobile app today
