How to manage your own MOT Centre efficiently

How to manage your own MOT Centre efficiently

Operating and owning a Vehicle Testing Station (VTS) is a responsible business which differs from other businesses; you need to comply with DVSA legal requirements. To set up an MOT testing station, you need to require a suitable premise and approved equipment for the vehicles you want to test. VTS require a minimum of equipment like

• Computer and printer with an internet connection.
• Brake pedal application devices.
• Decelometers.
• Diesel smoke meters.
• Exhaust gas analysers for both catalyst and non-catalyst vehicles.
• Headlamp aim testers.
• Plate & roller brake testers.
• Tow bar socket testers.
• Tyre tread depth gauges.
• Wheel play detectors.

All the equipment need to calibrate regularly and need to maintain records. Also, the premises of VTS should comply MOT testing guide and need to have a suitable vehicle bay sizes for the testing. Furthermore, to set up an MOT testing centre, you also need to have an authorised examiner (AE). If you’re buying an existing MOT Testing station, you need to apply for AE independently. To successfully operate an MOT testing centre, you require an approved MOT business manager and MOT tester.
MOT testing centres and MOT managers are committed to pursuing exceptional DVSA guidance and MOT testing guide to keep their client's vehicles safe to drive. Also, MOT testers must carry out the MOT tests to the top-notch standards. DVSA had proposed 15 essential elements to manage the MOT centre.

Put Management Systems in place

• Have Simple Clear and effective processes.
• Keep your business information upto date.
• Follow Data Protection rules.
• Employ site managers.

Check and manage MOT test standards

• Have a clear MOT policies in place.
• Use MOT Test quality information.
• Check a sample of MOT tests.

Manage your MOT testers

• Check new staff are eligible to be testers & meet the standards.
• Make sure testers do their training and assessment.
• Carryout security checks.

Monitor and maintain your premises & equipment

• Record information about your equipment.
• Keep your site safe, clean and meeting the standards.
• Apply to make changes to your site and equipment.

Understand your MOT centre's risk rating

• Monitor your risk rating.
• Fix any problemes picked up at DVSA site reviews.

DVSA will penalise if MOT testing centre fails to follow the standards and depends on the size of the centre. Likewise, DVSA can ban MOT centre for five years for standards violation. MOT testing centre is required to display the current authorised examiner certificate (VT9), MOT fees and MOT information poster for the public. MOT centre managers are liable for any data breaches and comply with the Data Protection Act 2018. They also required to develop a policy for MOT testing standards problems. The MOT site managers are responsible for managing MOT test logs, quality information sheets of MOT tests and summary record of the MOT test failure rates. DVSA recommends a third party company to assess the MOT management practices and MOT test standards of the testing centre. On the other hand, MOT consultants can offer expert advice on the MOT standards and management procedures in the MOT testing centre. They also suggested that each MOT tester at the MOT testing site have to check at least one MOT test every two months.
The MOT site manager is responsible for upskilling, training and development of the new MOT testers. They are liable to adhere to the health and safety standards and can lead to two years prison sentence in the event of any violation. DVSA offers a risk rating to each MOT testing centre to check the MOT testing centre process and systems.

Risk Rating	Types of risk	What to do
Red	Higher risk	MOT testing centres are advised to analyse the MOT testing practices and procedures to meet the DVSA standards.
Amber	Medium risk	MOT testing centres are suggested to find out the reasons for the medium risk.
Green	Lower risk	MOT testing centres are still required to follow the MOT testing guide to meet the standards.

To conclude, managing the MOT testing centre requires stringent policies and procedures. It involves various professionals and experts to meet the gold standards and allow vehicles to be safe on the UK roads.