A reminder template's type determines which event it can be scheduled from. Pistonlog ships with five types:
| Type | Scheduled from |
|---|---|
| MOT | Vehicle's MOT due date (DVSA-supplied, refreshable on vehicle edit) |
| Service | A job's service interval, captured at jobcard completion |
| Timing Belt | A job's timing-belt interval, captured at jobcard completion |
| Appointment | An appointment date created on a jobcard |
| Custom | A date you specify when sending one-off |
Email vs SMS styling
The MOT / Service / Timing Belt / Appointment types use a rich email layout: a coloured banner (amber for MOT / Service / Timing Belt, light blue for Appointment), a UK number-plate display, a "due in X days" countdown line, and Call / WhatsApp / Email CTA buttons at the bottom.
The Custom type uses a simpler layout: a light grey header, your message body, and an optional vehicle line. No plate display, no countdown, no CTAs.
SMS reminders are plain text on every type — there's no rich formatting in an SMS.
Picking a type
Use whichever fits the event you're triggering on. MOT and Appointment are unambiguous. Service / Timing Belt depend on the job being marked correctly at jobcard completion. Use Custom when you need to send a one-off reminder for something not on the standard list — see Sending a one-off reminder.