The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that MOT garages will soon ‘benefit’ from equipment that connects directly to the MOT testing service.
From 1 October, anyone buying a roller brake tester will need to make sure it’s a model that can connect to the MOT testing service. This includes buying one as a replacement for an old or broken roller brake tester, or as part of the process of opening a new MOT station.
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 reportedly 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: “DVSA’s priority is to help everyone keep their vehicle safe to drive. We’re bringing in connected equipment 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.”
Chief Executive of the Garage Equipment Association, David Garratt, said: “The main concern for GEA members is to improve the quality of MOT equipment and remove any possibility of human error in the reporting procedure. Connecting MOT test equipment is a very logical step for us as it removes any “miss keying” by the operator and speeds up the process.
“Starting by connecting brake testers makes good sense and since the introduction of Automated Test Lanes (ATLs) most may already be connectable. Connecting all types of processor-based equipment is possible and as connectivity is applied across the whole test bay it will add increasing value for the motorist by reducing error and benefit the garage by speeding up the test.”
DVSA has also said it is working with manufacturers to develop diesel smoke meters, exhaust gas analysers and decelerometers that connect to the MOT testing service. There are further plans to make connectable models of these kinds of equipment mandatory for replacement equipment and new garages too.
Connectable equipment is said to be 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.
DVSA is encouraging MOT garage managers to investigate the benefits of connected equipment and understand how it will help the testing process in their workplace.
