I wanted to catch up with you on the recent publication of DVSA’s vision and strategy and explain how that will affect the future of MOT.
Our strategic plan to 2025 and vision to 2030 set out our vision of keeping Britain moving safely and sustainably.
To help us achieve that, there are 3 key areas within the vision that we will focus on. We want to set standards, assess and test. We want to inform, educate, and advise our customers. And finally, we want to license and accredit, regulate, and enforce. I would like to share more about what we’re planning in these areas within the MOT and vehicle testing industry.
Setting standards within the industry
Standards work when they are current, relevant, clear, and practical. Because only then are they trusted and truly effective. So, we want to make the best use of data and technology to improve standards of MOT testing.
The vision sets out the likely impact that technology will have in DVSA, including the MOT. A core objective will be to ensure the future of the MOT strikes the right balance between maintaining a high standard to ensure vehicle and driver safety, alongside keeping pace with new technology and supporting the sector as these changes emerge.
Connected equipment
A good example of this is ‘connected’ garage equipment, which is mandatory for new garages, and encouraged for all. As you know, this allows certain parts of an MOT test to be uploaded directly to our computers. This makes the test quicker and cuts out the kind of keying in errors that even the best of us can make.
We already use connected equipment with emission gas analysers, diesel smoke meters, and brake testers since 2020. Modernising the equipment used will help secure the future of MOT. Further pilots that will support MOT testers improve accuracy include using cameras to aid identification of vehicles and trialling connected headlamp aim hardware. Chris Price blogged more about how we’ll be trialling connected cameras.
Getting you the right information, at the right time
I understand the practical reasons as to why mid-test it can be quite a drag to check a manual or call the helpdesk if those are not to hand. But maintaining and improving the quality of testing remains a key priority – and we want to better support you with this.
Over the next few years, we aim to pilot the use of different technologies to help us do this – for example, use of voice recognition through phones, to help provide automated real-time advice. This might all sound a little advanced – but these technologies are in use in other industries and will become more commonplace. So, starting some pilots will help us all get to grips with what may be possible.
License and accredit, regulate and enforce
We know you want to be able to get on and run your business. And you need us to recognise you, or your garage, officially so your customers know you’re qualified. You also need us to identify anyone competing in the MOT industry unfairly and dangerously and, where we must, to stop and even prosecute them.
Tackling fraud
Connected equipment is a great way of tackling fraud. As part of our strategy for the next few years, we want to look at how we can better tackle this – while minimising the impact on those who are doing things right. Initially we will be investing more into how our risk rating operates, making it ‘cleverer’ to help identify those up to no good. Integrating new IT systems to monitor MOT data input and analysing trends that appear will support DVSA to root out MOT fraud and make roads safer.
Going beyond connected equipment, it seems inevitable that we will need to look at ways of checking emissions more stringently. And the various types of driver assistance systems will become more important as drivers rely upon them more.
Inform, educate and advise
Another part of our vision is to do more to inform, educate and advise customers to do the right thing first time. That means better services and safer practice for everyone. As part of this, we want give motorists more information on how they can keep their vehicle safe to drive.
Doing more with advisories
We know we have a lot of information on the MOT Testing Service (MTS) that is of benefit to your customers.
Car owners can already access the MOT test history and use the reminders service, as well as being able to obtain their previous test certificates. But as well as reminding people they need to get a test, there might be more we could do. For example, as technology and data from vehicles improves, we could remind motorists about their recent advisories and when they might need looking at.
We could send them a text or email reminder that they had an advisory on their tyre tread and that they will need to sort it out before the tyre becomes illegal.
Adding value for customers
With emergent technologies there is more that we can do to improve and increase the amount of relevant information we communicate. For example, information on recalls, and advice for motorists on what to do in-between MOTs. The more value we can get from the MOT and the associated contacts we have with motorists, the more we can improve road safety and air quality to really demonstrate the important part that the MOT plays in society.
Planning ahead
I hope that I’ve been able to show you that we have a clear vision for the future of the MOT over the next 7 years. This work will be alongside the outcome of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) call for evidence, and consultation, which ran earlier this year into modernising the MOT.
Within that, DFT asked questions around the benefits of technology, sustainability and air quality and how we can better work with partners (such as MOT garages) to deliver services to the public. We will share more about the outcome of these questions with you soon and how we hope to explore these areas.
Moving forward together
With your support, we’ve already made huge strides in the rollout of connected equipment. And we have already started making changes that will make life easier both for you and your customers, especially in the digital sphere.
I remain incredibly grateful to you for the hard work that you do to maintain the MOT as a fantastic and unique partnership between industry and government.
As always, we'd like to know what you think, so let us know in the comments.
103 comments
Comment by john posted on
Inform ,educate ...
The majority of Uk car owners use the annual mot to find out what is wrong with the car, very few owners carry out preventive maintenance or basic checks with Mot and service often booked on same day. Retest are easily done following any necessary repairs and usually free of charge with little incentive to pass first time. Failure on major safety related items ie tyres/lights should incur a time or cost penalty before retest can be carried out .
Mots and re test fees should not be discounted and a fixed fee paid in a similar way to car road tax this would encourage fewer failure and safer vehicles.
Comment by R Guy posted on
You mention all the above yet not at any point have you mentioned C.P.D.
The Testing Manual is a nightmare in my opinion full of confliction and grey areas, trying to find a certain subject in there is terrible and this MUST be looked at/simplified in the future in my opinion.
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
Good point - and I abolsutely agree the more we can remove ambiguity and make simple the better. One of the best ways of improving quality is to make stuff easier to get right!!
Of course we do try and do that, but we don't always spot the opportunities. So any specifics always welcome.
Comment by R Guy posted on
Thank you for the reply.
The search function on the Testers Manual is pathetic.....ctrl-f or whatever it is,
I understand the manual is a large document so therefore improve the search function make it easier to use.....more intuitive.
Personally i dread the C.P.D Exam along with many others i'm sure,i feel D.V.S.A go out there way to make thing unclear,complicated and awkward but only give 50 minutes to complete the exam, you are supposed to help and support the Testers not hinder and make everything as difficult as possible.
I feel this needs to change going forward as this isn't helping anyone and certainly makes people think twice about staying a Tester!.
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
OK - thanks for the feedback. I will pass to the team.
Comment by Peter Miles posted on
Have you any idea how difficult the connected equipment issue has made it to sell a test station? Especially with a maximum permitted test fee that hasn't gone up for, I think, 13 years?
In one way I don't disagree with your aims but, on the other hand, you are making the current testing model financially unviable. So what happens then?
Comment by Ian Hucklebridge posted on
I'm all for stamping out bent mot's but again the cost of upgrading the equipment is ever increasing along with every other cost in the workshop. When are we going to see an increase is testing fee's ? £54.85 is nowhere near enough.
Comment by Steve Wheatley posted on
We like our connected equipment in our new station as you say it does save a little time we have purchased a new connected emissions tester at our other station,and will update the RBT as soon as funds allow.It would Be a great bonus to garages however if the price of the test was fixed ,and all garages charged the same , L cannot see the point in spending thousands of pounds on a testing station and then cutting the price
Comment by D. posted on
Great news ,new updates and new ideas for better work and very efficient it will be very useful, plus fraud on MOT ...my question is why is so cheap ?? No mechanic No testers whant to do this work or come to this trade £25000/year a tester !?! When all bills are so high...
The great news will be to make it standar test price ! Not £20 MOT plus service....and
Comment by Paul Prance posted on
This is all very good and helpful, one thing on emissions, with all the information and technology you have you should be able to give us vehicle specific diesel limits and not rely on defaced limit plates allowing old smokey vehicles on the road.
My other issue is the price of the mot, with all this new technology you are going to introduce that WE have to pay for, when are you going to make it a minimum price. With costs going through the roof and many garages charging £70+ /Hr labour rate, some discount garages, not us mind, are failing cars to make their profit on repairs.
When did the mot price last go up...so long ago I can't remember.
When the price was last set you provided the computer, you provided the printer, you provided the phone line, you provided the certificates etc now we pay for all of that.
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
Hi. As I've said on some of the others posts, I do agree that if investment is needed then fees will need to be looked at - and DfT did seek some views in the recent call for evidence.
Comment by john waddington posted on
when will we be getting more specific information on these subjects (what time scale other than seven years ! )
Comment by Olivia (DVSA) posted on
Hi John, we'll continue to update you with regular blog posts as the work on these things progresses.
Comment by Nick posted on
The test fee is now well below the hourly rate of most garages and needs addressing.
Comment by N parfitt posted on
All well and good but no mention of stopping the discounting MOT station's. To do all what you say needs investment,and garages that discount will not be able to move forward with such a big roll out. My garage as started by replacing the deceleration meter but what a faff trying to get it to register and now being told our computer and hard drive for brake rollers will need upgrading too ,all extra costs . As for the advisory items all people won't is a pass, we have customers still coming in with no MOT as long as 6 months out of date . I think you have got a misguided view of what the general public think .
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
Understand the point on fees - and have tried to cover on some of the other points.
And, absolutely I do understand what motorists want - and the differences amongst. them. I know quite an uphill task - but part of our challenge is to change that thinking.
Comment by Roy Hinch posted on
Looks like more expense for all this stuff for the garages to fork out, ministry staff strike for more pay and the mot fee hasn’t risen for 13years so not really interested. Put the fee up!
Comment by Dave posted on
Would be good to see last years advisories when you log a test in.
Comment by Mark Martin posted on
Still not talking about the fact the price of an mot hasn’t risen in over 11 years
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
You're right, the blog didn't cover that. However, I do recognise that where there is substantial investment needed then there is a case for looking at the fee - and that is why it was covered in DfT's call for evidence. We haven't seen all the results from that yet - but it certainly was covered as an area to get evidence so - I would assume - some fed that back.
Comment by Drew Gill posted on
All the points made are valid but for garages to invest in all this equipment a price increase is way over due.
I’d rather the team be standing fitting brakes all day than logging on tests at its current rate. 40mins per test and all the faff that goes along with it qcs calibrations, adhere to current regs it has to give at some point.
Comment by Stephen Offley posted on
With regard to Advisory Defects, it would be helpful if, for a vehicle operated by/registered to a fleet (that holds a DVLA Fleet number), the Advisory Notice or reminder could be sent direct to the fleet operator, i.e. to an e-mail address associated with the address shown on the V5C. This might need to be a dedicated 'Maintenance Team' e-mail address.
Doing this would allow a pro-active, managed approach to the early rectification of Advisories in a fleet context, where a text to the fleet driver (as has been suggested for a privately owned vehicle) may not be understood and/or acted upon.
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
I guess this is quite a complicated area. At the moment we don't necessarily have electronic contact details associated with a vehicle - and where there are, these can only be used in a limited way. What we try and do is make all the data public so that those with an interest can easily get it - be it 'vehicle by vehicle' on the web, or in bulk via an API - and many fleet users do that. But, as always, interested in ideas for how we can do things differently.
Comment by J WILSON posted on
Very informative and all for connected equipment etc
Comment by Andrew Warboys posted on
What a great article, well done 👏
Comment by Andy posted on
It would also be an idea if you could get an emissions test on a hybrid vehicles. As they get older and parts wear down i'm sure some of them would fail the current test.They are driving around without anyone knowing if they are polluting more than petrol vehicles.
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
Agree, and one of the things to look at. The challenge can be making sure we have clear info on types to make sure they can switch into 'ICE' mode - but I'm keen we try and get that sorted.
Comment by darren palmer posted on
raise the fee to a more realistic price
Comment by graham cox posted on
when can we charge a proper amount for an mot eg £70.00
if not can you advise me were to find testers to work for minimum wage ???
Comment by Chris Ives posted on
Good.
Work towards zero fraud will hopefully make things better for everyone.
Comment by tom posted on
Some positive ideas and the MOT help line procedure certainly does need improving as its very difficult to get to speak to technical staff for advice , but voice recognition help desk ! I don't know of any company that has a system that works effectively without wasting customers time on numerous options and dead ends but lets hope DVSA is different .
I find connected equipment saves time on test but has issues same as manual data entry with errors where we see an emissions failure is record on the system but not printed on the fail sheet also incorrect test provided ie petrol car but diesel test populated .
Any chance of improving the grammar on mot documents?
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
Agree - this is only early ideas and we will need to be careful on the 'time wasting' you suggest. I think if this ever became a thing - this would be very different to the multi-tiered menus of automated helpdesks - this would need to be much more intuitive and straight in there. But its just an idea - something to try!!
Comment by Richard parker posted on
Any news on the review of testing intervals?
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
There isn't yet. But - what I have seen is that there has been some really well considered and thoughtful feedback from the trade - that really helps make the case for the great value that the MOT provides now - and what it can do for the future. I suspect it will be a little while yet until things are confirmed - but we'll keep you up to date when we know.
Comment by Guilford Tulloch posted on
Very informative.
Comment by peter gilbert posted on
all sounds very positive but in these times of spiraling costs i see no mention of fee increase to help afford the plan .
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
Good point, I do recognise that where there is substantial investment needed then there is a case for looking at the fee - and that is why it was covered in DfT's call for evidence. We haven't seen all the results from that yet - but it certainly was covered as an area to get evidence so - I would assume - some fed that back.
Comment by Timbo posted on
I am very surprised you are not insisting on at least level 2 EV training to be able to test electric and hybrid vehicles, I believe this is an accident waiting to happen
Comment by Andy Tester posted on
When is the test fee going to accurately reflect the amount of investment already spent and soon to be required by garages to keep up with all this technology both optional and compulsory? The test fee hasn't risen since March 2010. Also fix the fee, no discounting.
Comment by Mike posted on
In view of ever increasing costs test stations are having to cover, perhaps it's time DVSA reviewed test fees.
Comment by Richard posted on
If the DVSA do not want you to undertray fitted as an advisory ,( and in most cases not needed) but if you the tester has a concern that an undertray could be hiding something serious. PUT IT IN BOLD ON THE INVOICE ! the garage invoice (apart form the price of the MOT) has nothing to do with the DVSA..... you can put what you like on there, in swahili and bright pink font, you have proof that the customer has been warned, you point it out to them, you work here is done. the DVSA has no control over your invoice and no access to them, unlike the produced test certificate.
" please remember there is always more than one way to skin a cat " as the old saying goes
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
I don't think we mentioned undertrays in this blog. But for what its worth - I do think there is different information that we currently include in advisories that can be confusing for motorists. So key advisory information is that advising that something is worn - or nearly a fail. Advising that something couldn't be checked can be helpful - but doesn't necessarily help the motorist when they read the certificate, and can lead them confused. So we may want to try and tidy that position at some point.
Comment by John posted on
What is the point of tightening up on emissions kit when we are banning EVs in a few years time?
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
I don't think we're banning EVs!
But at some point new petrol and diesel vehicles won't be able to be sold - but they will be around for a while yet. But you are right that any decision on doing something new for, say, diesel emissions will need to consider how long they will be around in significant numbers and the damage that those breaking the rules are causing
Comment by Tony Wood posted on
As we have connected systems why not encourage vehicle owners to have there vehicles MOT tested every six months instead of annually. The reward for this could be to reduce there vehicle road tax to 50%. Confirming legal emissions twice a year is good for the environment.
Comment by STEVE posted on
i would say this is already happening really with the way things currently run
i noticed there has been a lot of cases of people being caught/found out recently
i do think we need to clamp down on emission fraud ,nothing makes you feel worse than having a vehicle in with a seriously bad emission fail and the next day it seems to have passed somewhere else .on a similar note a clamp down on mapping ect... which is openly advertised
maybe the fee could be higher the price of honesty and all that ,but i think if your a crock your a crock what ever
Comment by Val posted on
Maybe someone should take a hard look at the testing itself and testable items , as of now there are many items that are no longer relevant for "safety" and others witch are they aren't given the proper attention such as tyres !
Much of the methodology is so antiquated is unreal but I guess that's what you get when people with degrees and 0 time in the field are in change of making rules .
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
Thanks for the feedback. The team here have a mixed background - some with degrees and some with time in the field. And maybe some with both. I think on balance more in the team have a 'in the field' background than not. We do always welcome feedback on what can or should change in the test. And the recent DfT call for evidence asked exactly that of those 'in the field' as well as the wider public. So it will be interesting to see what feedback we get.
Comment by Michael Carruthers posted on
I totally understand the moving on and technology but the problem lies within the government and altering the test frequency even though I applaud you efforts no business would consider investing in a market that is been constantly being placed under threat.
The MOT is being constantly used as by larger/main dealers as a tool to draw customers into them with heavily discounted fees this practice must be curtailed if creditability is to be maintained as a professional service with accredited staff.on a footnote more MOTs are carried out by smaller independents but we don’t have a registered charity no and cannot invest in new tech if we are constantly being hassled on price
Comment by Alan Mills posted on
The MOT test fee hasn’t changed in 12 years. It now costs to take a tech off a job to carry out an MOT. Add in all the extra that stations have to do it’s making it not worth while being a test station.
Comment by Raymond Slaney posted on
I’m all for making things easier and an ANPR system of some sort would be a benefit to prevent fraud, but in your comments you state you want to educate the customer who are inherent couldn’t care less people I would have thought that it would be better to guide your testing stations educate not persecute us the testers manual is a good guide by all intents and purpose but has so many grey areas and if we fall foul of that grey area is it neglect or a misunderstanding ?
We are then in the lap of the gods as to how we are dealt with.
Comment by Ken Mcintosh posted on
Forget about texting car owners to remind them that their mot test runs out on a specific date because people won’t spend the money on a reminder message, just run a tv advert campaign throughout the year reminding the public to get their mot test booked in on plenty of time and not to leave it until it runs out, and also increase the penalties for driving without a valid test certificate.
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
Our text reminders are free to the motorist!
Comment by David Matthews posted on
£54.85 for a full vehicle check that takes about 50 mins with expensive equipment and a route to recourse for up to 1 or 3 months .... bargain ... for the motorist
Comment by Jim McDowall posted on
With all this new technology and increased costs etc etc is it not about time the price of a mot was raised to a sensible price to reflect this. The price has not changed for a long time but running costs have significantly. Also would it not be an idea to make it a round figure instead of the strange £54.85 where change is always an issue.
Comment by Colin posted on
I am in complete agreement with most of what you say , I can only assume that you know there is a “But” coming , so here it is .
If your vision for the next 5–7 years involves , renewing very expensive equipment that a lot of small businesses can not afford on top of massive rent increases, utility price increases and cost of living increases ( everyone wants a wage rise ) then would it not be essential for the common good of the system to show that you value all these wonderful small businesses by increasing the cost of the Mot ?
Main dealers and massive companies are charging £35 for Mot’s and the last few times an increase has been talked about, the powers that be have said “ If you can discount Mot’s then there is no need for an increase
Here’s the next “But” discounting Mot’s is all very well for companies that are grossing million’s of pounds in profits every year, Small businesses have been suffering for the last 10 years with the price of the Mot , much more so now ,years and years have passed now with no increase and our costs have increased exponentially, This system will lose “a ton of small businesses” if this continues because in is not sustainable. Small businesses are the backbone of the system and are invaluable so why not treat them that way .
A fair increase in my opinion ( No not just a £2 increase) but a fair increase to £60-65 is not in my opinion excessive, When a tub of butter has increased by 200% in the last 2 years then why can’t we get what we deserve.
Comment by Fitzroy molyneux posted on
This is great news 👍
Comment by simon hanley posted on
I can understand the need to move forward with technology but you are alway putting the burden of cost on the poor testing centre you up the price of the mot slot to pay for computerisation back in 2005 18 year ago and if I'm not mistaken as there's a abundant of money kept in the pot to this day that was supposed to be returned to the test centre why have the mot prices not increased and why are you still allowing discounted mot fees
Comment by Alan Grey posted on
Yes all for it
Comment by Howard posted on
Government needs to repair the appalling roads. Trucks already pay and now the HGV levy. While car drivers pay virtually nothing especially electric cars.
Comment by Michael Roberts posted on
Very good, but no mention of increasing the test fee. With all the increasing costs of running an MOT Centre I doubt there will be many left in five years time.
Comment by Peter Miles posted on
I'm trying to retire but just try selling a test station at the moment!
It's virtually impossible so as we all age eventually there will only be large chains like Halfords or Quick Fit left doing testing.
To me that just seems inevitable.
Comment by Gary Rogers posted on
I welcome any improvements to quality of testing, but please don't extend intervals as this would definitely have a negative effect on road safety.
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
I understand the concern, and I know many garages and others fed back to that effect on the DfT call for evidence. I also know that the uncertainty given doesn't help when it does come to selling a garage and/or investment decisions. So hopefully we can move forward soon with some clarity.
Comment by Gary Smith posted on
How about raising the price of an MOT Test?
So we can keep up with todays living costs and help with buying all these new ideas of yours?
Don't say its to help keeping the cost down for motorists... if that's the case then tell that to insurance companies,fuel garages, road tax etc. You're even contemplating raising the price of an MOT slot!
It's getting beyond a joke when customers actually point out that the price has never gone up in 13 years.
Everyone else goes on strike nowadays, maybe MOT Centres should go on strike.
Comment by Mark Marsden posted on
So the introduction of more computerization will stop dodgy testing and corruption within the mot system, I don't think so it's just more office jobs a bit like changing things every week on the system now just trying to catch us out I'm glad I'm 60 and not got long left ,I remember when cars were dangerous the new tester wouldn't have a clue how to test them it's all about common sense this probably won't be added to the feed
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
It was added!
Comment by Mark Marsden posted on
Thanks
Comment by Matt posted on
Most of the vehicles I test have expired by at least a month, they don't care about advisories, given that it is for their benefit. And then you get the car sales MOT, with zero advisories! Number plates, we have to fail, yet they carry a fine if dealt with by the police and potentially a revoked plate, I think you should be working closely with the police on that! MOT is a safety check, if it has lights then they all should work regardless of age. EML indicates a fault relating to the emissions, yet if it passes that test then surely it should just be a pass and advise? The whole system needs addressing, preferably someone with common sense.
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
A few things there Matt, and I will probably miss some in my response (so apologies).
I absolutely agree we need common sense! Unfortunately some of the rules do get a little complicated because of the way the law has changed over the years about what features different vehicles need at different points. But where possible we try and make the rules simple - but sometimes the law is complex!
On the EML, I think the challenge is that the EML will tell us more about the system's function than the tailpipe test - which is pretty crude compared to the complexities of emissions control that the vehicle will be designed to follow!!
But - the more common sense and simplicity we can bring to the overall MOT system the better......
Comment by Mark Marsden posted on
Agree about the eml it can just be turned off but will come back on again in time silly failure, bit like headlamp levellers where you can just remove switch
Comment by Andrew posted on
When is the price we can charge going up , I have a clear vision it’s not been raised for many years and since we have had to purchase new equipment, calibration every year for the Tapley meter , I could go on ….oh and we haven’t been on strike for more money …but perhaps we should !
Comment by Alan neill posted on
Hehe thats a good idea about advisories hope you have better luck than me I keep advising and they keep ignoring till items fail
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
Agree - can feel an up-hill battle. Hopefully some use of modern IT in 'prodding' when something may be likely fully worn may work - but just an idea for now. I know some garages already do similar - so any feedback appreciated!
Comment by Peter Barnard posted on
Basically 23,500 MOT stations have got to spend thousands on connected equipment to combat fraud due to the implementation of being able to carry out MOT tests on any device anywhere.
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
The main drivers for connected equipment are around capturing the quality result - although there are some fraud reduction benefits. Cameras will have greater benefits around fraud reduction - as well as also helping reduce the (very large) number of tests recorded against the wrong vehicles (largely in error).
I won't reopen the debate on whether we should have kept government maintained IT in MOT garages; there was a need to modernise, although I do understand we did lose some of the certainty on where a tester was when recording the result (but not anything about actually doing the test right or on the right vehicle) - although some of our AI based riak rating really helps there.
Comment by Alan Neill posted on
I have been connected for 18months and after initial rastle quite like it imagine when we get cameras we will like them to do away with all dodgy mots hopefully
Comment by Peter Barnard posted on
This is all great news but the price of the MOT must at least DOUBLE to reflect the time involved in carrying out the test, invoicing the test, relaying the information to the customer, investing in connected equipment, investing in staff training, calibration of equipment, the rise in staff wages, electricity costs, COVID loan payments, loss of business due to the MOT extension during COVID and all the hidden associated costs involved IN CARRING OUT THE MOT test on behalf of the Secretary of State for transport.
It may not be long before a campaign gets underway to go on strike like the unions associated with this part of the industry.
Comment by lloyd chalke posted on
Fixed Price ! and 1 hour test slots ! that would help us Tester,s not pushed in to 12 tests a day ! !!!
Comment by Alan Neill posted on
Well said mate
Comment by Dereck Cook posted on
How about a strategy to increase the MOT test fee to a realistic amount that reflects the costs involved in maintaining a testing facility and testing service?
Regards
Comment by Graham posted on
Never mind connected equipment, anpr cameras and voice recognition systems - How about if the test fee was increased and brought up-to-date - unchanged for 13 years!! It’s now an unfair fee for independent test centres that don’t make up the loss in the workshop at £100+ per hour. Why is a 5 tonne sprinter motorhome £54.85, a 5 tonne sprinter minibus £59.55, - a 5 tonne sprinter van at an atf £150+ !! It’s time for things to be evened-up.
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
Thanks Graham. As I have said on some of the other comments, I do agree that if we do need investment in the MOT garages we will need to look at how that is funded - and if a fee change is the best way of doing it. And to that end DfT's call for evidence did ask a few questions on that - so hopefully will have captured some helpful info..
On a minor (possibly pedantic) point - the HGV fee covers (roughly split 50/50) the cost of the test itself, but also funds roadside enforcement and all that goes with that. So it isn't quite a like for like comparsion - although I do get your point!
Comment by Martin posted on
Put more focus on making the current mot manual and test fit for purpose with emphasis on using correct terminology and written English.
You have not sorted even the most basic criteria out yet.
As soon as you bring in cameras and make connected equipment mandatory I and no doubt many others will call it a day.
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
Thanks Martin. Would be great to get more detail on those 'basic' things that need sorting.
Comment by Jane Sheppard posted on
When are you going to look at increasing the cost of a MOT we mot
motorcycles and our business started in 2010 when the cost of a motorcycyle mot was £29.65 . This has never been increased in the last 13 years and still remains the same price can you tell me of any other service which has stayed at the same price . Also we are now expected to pay out for more equipment but not be given a increase in the cost of a MOT to cover the extra expense.
Comment by Graham posted on
Completely agree. Fee unchanged for 13 years. Add to that taking away computer systems which used to be supplied, stationery which used to be supplied, training which used to be supplied, we used to have dedicated phone lines supplied. Couple it with inflation and increased wages / rent etc!! DVSA staff have been taking industrial action over pay and conditions. How are we expected to increase our testers wages if we can’t increase the fee that we charge for the work??
Comment by Grzegorz Gabrielski posted on
Brilliant 🙂
Comment by Trevor Parr posted on
Why worry about air quality when the gov seems hell bent on making is all drive electric vehicles. Why waste money investing in "new technology" to monitor this when ICE vehicles will be in decline. Or is it about revenue generation?
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
It is a good point that we do need to consider how long Internal combustion engines will be around - in particular diesels - when we look at changing the MOT, and certainly that has to be part of any case for change. At present looks like these vehicles could be available new for some years yet (2030 I think is latest suggested) so will be on the roads for some time.
Comment by Graham posted on
Hybrids!! A Green solution to improve air quality? As the batteries age the vehicle relies more heavily upon the combustion engine until it runs only on the engine. On the mot for a hybrid the emissions are never checked - imagine for example , Prius taxis running around up to 300,000 miles chucking out whatever they want for the last 6 years. Green huh?
Comment by Neil Barlow posted on
Agree - we should look at testing the internal combustion engine on hybrids - its one of the things we'd like to do. One of the challenges is making sure we can provide clear info for all types on making sure you can switch into 'internal combustion' mode - but I'm hopeful we'll get there.