Keep up to date
As outlined in MOT special notice 01-15, this information should be considered and followed in the same way as other MOT scheme rules.
All information on this page and future MOT special notices will be brought together as revisions to the MOT testing guide and inspection manuals once the switchover process is complete.
New MOT testing service rules
The current MOT Comp testing rules will apply under the new service.
All MOT tests and retests must be conducted within authorised vehicle testing stations (VTSs) by nominated testers (NTs) approved to test the class of vehicle by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
DVSA expects the following roles to fully monitor the testing activities conducted within their business:
authorised examiner designated manager (AEDM)
authorised examiner delegate (AED)
site manager (SM)
AEs are responsible for making sure statutory MOT testing is carried out to the required standard and in the manner set out by DVSA at their VTSs.
DVSA will monitor the data and characteristics collected from the new service to make sure all MOT tests are conducted from authorised VTSs.
Where DVSA finds MOT scheme rules are not being followed, this may result in the authority to MOT test vehicles being removed from the AEs and NTs.
All management and administrative functions, which do not include the MOT testing or retesting of a vehicle, may be conducted at any location under the new service.
New MOT testing service roles
MOT roles have been simplified. The following VTS roles have been removed from the new service:
account management (ACM)
personnel manager (PM)
quality control (QC)
trained person (TP)
The ACM role will not be migrated over to the new service. If an AEDM requires a person to buy MOT test slots on behalf of the business entity then the AED role should be allocated to that person either before or after your switchover.
As a result of the removal of the TP role, for new AEs it will be mandatory for the named AEDM of a proposed AE to give evidence of attending the MOT manager course before final approval is given.
Quality management and control
VTSs now use many different approaches to managing quality at their sites, eg some AEs are now using third parties and systems to help advise them about and support quality systems.
There are existing requirements for quality control checks but these are not always appropriate for many smaller sites.
The move to the new service is being used as an opportunity to change how we record evidence of quality control and management.
There will be no requirement within the system to record quality control but there will be requirements that all AEs provide evidence of how quality is being managed. In future, this will form part of site assessments.
Additional guidance will be published over time on how best to manage quality with trade associations expected to provide helpful advice.
Quality systems should be tailored to meet the particular circumstances of VTSs - volumes of tests, numbers of testers, experience of staff etc.
There is no absolute requirement for how quality should be managed but, as now, systems have to be sufficient to enable AEs to discharge their responsibility to adequately manage quality.
In all cases, AEs need to retain documentation of what system is - including evidence of items identified by their procedures and the remedial action required.
End to displaying the list of nominated testers (VT26)
From April 2015, VTSs will no longer be required to display their list of NTs on their public notice board.
Record retests
The new service will simplify the way in which retests are recorded and will not define types of retest (eg free, chargeable etc).
During a retest the original failure items will be listed but NTs will remove these if repaired. If additional items have been identified during the retest they can be selected.
Find out how to record retests under the new service
Contingency testing
Contingency testing will work in a similar way to the current emergency testing process where DVSA must provide you with an authorisation code before you can carry out offline MOT testing.
You’ll only be provided with a code during an authorised outage. This means you’ll only get a code after we’ve identified that you’re unable to access the new service for one of the following reasons:
the new service is unavailable due to DVSA technical problems
there has been a widespread broadband communication outages
users cannot buy MOT test slots due to DVSA technical problems
Under the new service, you’ll be responsible for getting your IT equipment and services fixed if they stop working. This includes any problems related to any IT equipment, services and printers which you use to access and run the new service.
This may mean you will not be provided with an authorisation code where you’re unable to access the new service due to a problem with your own IT equipment or services.
In these cases, you’ll be expected to stop MOT testing until your faulty IT equipment or service has been repaired or replaced.
You’ll also be responsible for putting your own contingency measures in place (should you wish to do so) in case your internet connection goes down.
For example, you could have a back-up 3G or 4G internet connection or connected device at your site in case there is a problem with your fixed broadband connection.
Contingency testing documents
During authorised outages these documents must be hand-written and given to the vehicle presenter.
SMs and NTs must make sure a copy of each contingency testing certificate which is issued is kept at their VTS for 3 months. All contingency testing certificates must also be made available to DVSA staff for audit purposes.
Emissions printouts for tests carried out under contingency testing must be retained and attached to the relevant contingency testing documents.
When a contingency testing incident has been resolved all tests carried out under contingency testing must be registered promptly in the new service.
The existing emergency testing, fallback and stand alone testing procedures will no longer be used in the new service.
Find out how contingency testing will work under the new service
Questions and feedback
Your feedback will help us provide you with the information you need about the changes to the MOT testing guide.
MOT testing service
Email
mot.modernisation@vosa.gsi.gov.uk
Questions, comments and suggestions about the new MOT testing service being introduced by the MOT modernisation project.