Vehicles which are more than three years old are legally enforced to take an MOT test to comply with its roadworthiness and environmental standards. The purpose and scope of the MOT test are to contribute to the government’s road safety policy and strategy. The electronic MOT test records reveal only to the condition of the testable vehicle at the time of the inspection and should not be regarded as
• Evidence of the vehicle general mechanical condition.
• Indicate the evidence of their condition at any another time.
• Illustrates that vehicle is full compliance with the DVSA standards.
According to the Motor Vehicles Test Regulations 1981 regulation six and Road Traffic Act 1988 section 189, the vehicles which are exempted from the MOT testing are
• Track laying vehicles.
• Work trucks.
• Trailers.
• Mechanically propelled vehicles which are pedestrian controlled.
• Electrically operated power cycles.
It is essential to know who carries out MOT tests; vehicle testing is conducted predominantly by authorised examiners at commercial garages and designated councils. These are authorised and established by the DVSA, known as Vehicle Testing STatstions (VTS). VTS’s and their employee are conditional to DVSA inspection to ensure that MOT testing practices are adequately carried out, and the DVSA must approve the test equipment. The tester who is specifically trained and approved by the DVSA should only perform MOT tests. VTS’s should only test to those type of vehicles and classes that they are authorised to test. A full list of active MOT testing stations in England, Scotland and Wales are available at the GOV.UK.
There are separate MOT inspection manuals for motorcycles, heavy goods vehicles, and public service vehicles. However, in this blog, we will have a deep dive into the inspection processes and rules for cars, private bus and light commercial vehicle (class 3,4,5 & 7). The MOT testing may last around 45 minutes to an hour, and the test follows the crucial process
• Identification of the vehicle.
• Brakes.
• Steerings.
• Visibility.
• Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment.
• Axles, wheels, tyres and suspension.
• Vehicle body, structure and attachments.
• Vehicle Nuisance.
• Seatbelt installation checks.
• Other inspections like airbags, anti-theft systems, horn, speedometer, and electronic stability control are performed.
Every year MOT testers will perform over 30 million MOT test across the UK. They play a vital role in making the UK roads safer and will make sure every single MOT test will be performed in a gold standard. In 2018 DVSA had proposed a risk system to assess the testers and VTS’s who are non-compliance to the MOT Testing requirements. A tester’s rating is determined by analysing the MOT data within the MOT testing service database such as
• Time is taken to complete MOT tests.
• How many tests an MOT tester accomplish.
• The results of the tests.
Every MOT tester and MOT testing centre will have an individual risk rating, and the purpose of the ratings is to identify the key elements which are not satisfying the right standards. These ratings are available only with the MOT testers and DVSA.
| Risk Rating | Type of Risk |
|---|---|
| Red | Higher Risk |
| Amber | Medium Risk |
| Green | Lower Risk |
MOT’s manager is responsible for the premises and equipment, staff training and development, testing standards are compliance with the MOT testing guide. These quality checks and risk assessments by the DVSA will enable MOT testers and VTS’s to comply with the MOT Testing guide and make the UK roads safer.
To conclude, all MOT testing centres will follow the guidelines and principles of the MOT testing guide, which has been published by the DVSA. As vehicle users, we all need to comply with road safety and DVSA guidelines to be safer on the UK roads. All the vehicle owners need to remember the MOT test due date and approach the recognised MOT testing centres in advance to perform MOT tests and sort out any MOT advisories.
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