diff --git a/backend/tests/test_bookings.py b/backend/tests/test_bookings.py
index fdd15fa..8f478f7 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_bookings.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_bookings.py
@@ -21,11 +21,14 @@ def test_list_bookings_supports_bounded_search_pages(ops_client):
 
 
 def test_create_booking_rejects_overlap_and_audits_valid_booking(ops_client):
+    existing = ops_client.get("/api/v1/bookings/BK-DEMO-RETURN").json()
     conflict = ops_client.post(
         "/api/v1/bookings",
         json={
-            "customer_ref": "CUS-0001", "vehicle_ref": "MO-024",
-            "starts_at": "2026-08-10T10:00:00Z", "ends_at": "2026-08-10T12:00:00Z",
+            "customer_ref": "CUS-0001",
+            "vehicle_ref": existing["vehicle_ref"],
+            "starts_at": existing["starts_at"],
+            "ends_at": existing["ends_at"],
         },
     )
     assert conflict.status_code == 409
@@ -33,7 +36,7 @@ def test_create_booking_rejects_overlap_and_audits_valid_booking(ops_client):
         "/api/v1/bookings",
         json={
             "customer_ref": "CUS-0001", "vehicle_ref": "MO-001",
-            "starts_at": "2026-09-01T10:00:00Z", "ends_at": "2026-09-02T12:00:00Z",
+            "starts_at": "2030-09-01T10:00:00Z", "ends_at": "2030-09-02T12:00:00Z",
         },
     )
     assert created.status_code == 201