PMM talks to the DVSA about the latest MOT news and updates that UK businesses should be aware of.
New rules: the results In the first year of the new MOT, more than 31 million vehicles took a test with almost a third failing. Of these, almost three million failed due to dangerous defects and were taken off the road or repaired, helping keep Britain’s roads safe.
DVSA research, however, shows around 25% of vehicles get their MOTs late which means there could be hundreds of thousands of dangerous vehicles overdue for their MOT. Neil Barlow, DVSA’s Head of Vehicle Engineering, said, “The DVSA’s priority is helping everyone to keep their vehicle safe to drive.
“Thanks to the MOT, three million dangerous vehicles have been taken off the road. But with a quarter of cars turning up late for MOT every year, that means there are lots of potentially dangerous vehicles badly in need of inspection.”
The rule changes to the MOT also had a significant focus on emissions testing. Recently released DVSA data shows that the new tougher emission tests have made a significant contribution to improving air quality. Nearly 1.2 million (1,151,976) failed as a result of poor emissions. These have been repaired or taken off the road, helping to improve the environment.
Connected equipment
Since 1st October, anyone who has bought a roller brake tester needs to make sure it’s a model that can connect to the MOT testing service. This also includes buying replacement equipment, and as part of the process of getting authorisation to carry out MOTs at a test station.
The DVSA has worked with roller brake tester manufacturers to develop software that will allow their products to connect to the MOT testing service. Connected equipment will save time, reduce the risk of error in entering MOT results and help to reduce the risk of fraud.
Chris Price, DVSA Head of MOT Policy, said, “We’ve brought connected equipment in to modernise testing in MOT garages and reduce the potential for mistakes. It will make testing quicker, more accurate and give motorists greater confidence in the quality of testing. Garages already using this equipment have seen benefits to their business.”
The DVSA is also working with manufacturers to develop diesel smoke meters, exhaust gas analysers and decelerometers that connect to the MOT testing service. There are plans to make connectable models of these kinds of equipment mandatory for replacement equipment and new garages, too.
Connectable equipment is not necessarily more expensive than the current equipment garages already have. The difference between a connectable and non-connectable model is often its software. This means that non-connectable equipment models can be made connectable by a software update to allow it to connect to the MOT testing service.
MOT garage managers are encouraged to investigate the benefits of connected equipment and understand how it will help the testing process in their workplace. Investing in connected equipment will improve the efficiency of their garages and help futureproof their businesses.
MOT garage manager security checks In early October, the DVSA announced that DBS checks would be introduced for MOT garage managers in an attempt to improve the quality of the MOT offering.
From 1st November, anyone applying to be an authorised examiner (AE) or authorised examiner designated manager (AEDM) will need to have a basic DBS check. This verifies the applicant’s identity and checks unspent convictions.
The DVSA is introducing DBS checks to prevent people who might damage the integrity of the MOT scheme from holding positions of authority at test centres.
Chris Price said on the topic: “We’re always looking for ways to make our processes less complicated and more secure. Bringing in DBS checks for MOT managers and owners helps us do this. For the DVSA, it means we can protect the integrity of the MOT, and it makes the process simpler for applicants. That’s a win-win.”
The new process replaces the countersigning of driving licences or passports to check credentials and will be carried out solely through gov.uk. This current process takes longer and is complicated for applicants. The new DBS check will not only streamline and simplify the process, but will also help make sure MOT test centres are managed by fit and proper people.
