When we set out our strategy in 2023 for the next few years, combating fraud and making it easier to identify and support those getting things wrong was one of the key areas we looked at. Connected equipment has been a part of that – as will other initiatives in the future. Much of our recent focus has been on how capturing photos at the time of a test can play its part.
Whilst it’s only a small number of testers who bring disrepute to the industry by committing fraudulent MOTs, it does happen, and this undermines the important work the rest of you do every day to keep vehicles safe. And of course, even errors at the test – even though not deliberate – can cause issues for motorists. For example where MOTs may be logged against the wrong vehicle.
We want to create a level playing field for all, where high quality is the default, and the scourge of fraudulent or substandard testing is minimised. Of course, there is no one thing that will achieve that – but we believe that having a photo at test could be a really helpful enabler.
Taking photos in garages
Some of you might remember, or have been part of, the original trials to see how capturing photos of the vehicle during the test might work. We’d hoped to integrate this into the service last year, but came across a few issues that we needed to solve first – hence more trials with much to work through!
We’ve been able to look again and simplify how this could work to make it more safe and secure, and also easy for you all to use. We’ve moved away from capturing just the number plate and recording that in MTS, and instead we want to get a photo of the whole vehicle in the testing bay.
Our original aim with capturing images of vehicles was to ultimately prevent fraudulent, ghost MOTs happening, and we think this method will be a better way of allowing us to do this.
Although we’re focusing on the image capture of the whole vehicle right now, we still want to see how we might be able to use technology to interpret the image capture – for example checking the location, the registration plate or vehicle type. However, we are taking this one step at a time – we know many of you found this useful last time, but we want to start with getting the basics working!
How it will work
The new prototype feature will prompt you to take a photo of the vehicle in a testing bay, after you’ve entered the number plate or VIN.
You will need to do this on a phone or a tablet. You can start the test on a computer, but you will still need to take a photo of the vehicle with a phone or tablet; you won’t be able to do this using a webcam.
The service will give you prompts on how to capture the photo and what we’re looking for. It’ll then be saved against the record, and you’ll be able to carry out the rest of the MOT as normal. You will not be able to upload images stored on your device before or after the test, we only allow images taken from the camera through the MTS at that time.
The prototype feature looks like this. It will then give you advice and examples on what to take a photo of.
Trialling the new changes
Now we’ve redesigned how capturing images will work, we want to go out and trial this new design with as many of you as possible, in different testing set-ups. We’ll then review the feedback and see whether this is something we want to bring into the service for everyone.
If you’d like to help us test this new feature please fill out our form and give us your contact information. If you meet the requirements, a member of the team will be in touch. Whilst we’d like to trial the feature with as many of you as possible, we need to make sure we’re testing features with a broad range of different garages and set-ups, so we will be selecting participating garages on that basis.
Sign up: https://forms.office.com/e/zgEzns9XQ6
Why this is important
We know ghost MOTs account for nearly 80% of all fraudulent MOTs, making it a clear area for us to tackle. Knowing if a vehicle is where it should be at the time of test should reduce the number of MOTs carried out when the vehicle isn’t present, or isn’t the same vehicle as the details being entered into MTS.
Potentially, both authorised examiners and DVSA will be able to see the images stored against the test record, and this will help all of us to crack down on fraud. It will enable us to focus our efforts on helping garages do the right thing, but also free up time to focus on those who are not and deal with them accordingly.
Keeping your MTS account secure
Alongside our images in garages work, we also want to focus on keeping the MTS platform as secure as possible and all of us who use the system can help with that. Last year we saw a few MTS accounts compromised because testers had their details hacked.
We found this was because the testers' email or social accounts, that used the same email and password as MTS, had been hacked, and this information was then used to gain access to MTS.
As we start the new year, I wanted to remind you of some easy things you can do to help keep your account safe and prevent this happening to you.
Use a strong password
Creating a strong password that doesn’t use easy to guess information like pet names or birth dates is important. It’s a good idea to have a separate password for work purposes too. Multi-factor authentication is also a great way to stay secure – which is where you use another platform or device to confirm it’s you logging into a service.
We’d encourage you to use a 2FA (two factor authentication) app like google authenticator when logging into MTS so that you don’t need to log into your private email accounts on a shared work computer.
Stay aware of phishing emails
Phishing emails may appear genuine but are in fact fake. They might try and trick you into revealing sensitive information or contain links to a scam website or an infected attachment. It’s a good idea to keep your personal information private so they can’t make their emails seem as convincing.
Secure your devices
It might seem obvious, but we know it’s easy to forget to lock your device or log out of things on a shared computer when you’re busy. Not doing so can make it much easier for someone to access your personal information. You are responsible for any information accessed, changed or stored through your log in.
Keeping you updated
We’ll keep you updated on how the trial for images in garages is going once we’ve rolled it out in the next few months. Your feedback and views will be really important to make sure this works within the test.
213 comments
Comment by Rob posted on
stupid idea, personally I am sick to death of everyone being tarred with the same brush, if you have issues with other less compliant garages then deal with them and stop costing us more money and time and instead show some commitment to the honest testers that are struggling to make a living as it is. A recent case for example is stoping garages from calibrating their own roller brake tester (without any issues whatsoever) and now have the extra cost of having to pay an outside agencey twice a year to come and do a job that we have been doing and are completely capable of doing ourselves and have been doing since 1996, I will be closing down soon and will be glad to do so, My personal opinion is that the people who sit behind computers all day have no idea of how difficult it is to run and maintain a busines in todays climate
Comment by Robert Butcher posted on
Reading the latest email on MOT ghost MOT‘s I think it’s a great idea. I would participate but I noticed that the retail price of MOTs haven’t gone up in 15 years our prices horrendous in labour charges electricity calibration. I think you know what I’m trying to say and also the test slots have increased when I purchases will this go up soon?
Comment by Chris Price posted on
Hi Rob
Thanks for your comments and I am sorry that you feel we are making it harder for you to keep your business open.
Our aim is to continue to improve the quality and standards within the test, we know this does not always fit everyone's needs, but we continue to listen to you all and make enhancements.
Comment by Ron posted on
Just had another thought. Instead of making this compulsory on every Mot test, and thus increasing Mot testers workload, how about random requirements for both before and after photos (see earlier comment), so only some Mot tests would require a picture, make it fairly frequent and the examiner would never know if a picture was going to be required. If no picture can be supplied, and/or the test is cancelled then flag it on the system. Sneaky??
Comment by Beef posted on
Brillliant idea, will catch people out for sure
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
Thanks for the idea.
We're keen we start with this being simple, and then can build on this as we go forward.
But good to have ideas knocking about the group on how we can improve and refine!
Comment by Paul Ellis posted on
A step forward, but not far enough, the VIN plate should be photographed as well.
Also a step backward for Testing Stations!!
More work for less return, another cut in the 'death by a thousand cuts' scenario!
The Set Pricing Policy for Vehicle Testing needs to be reviewed NOW
Comment by Chris Price posted on
Hi Paul thanks for your comments.
This is the first version of images in garages, this software will enable us to do more in the future, and that may well enable images of the vin or defects and hopefully we can use ANPR to help with registering of the test, but this is all for the future and for now we want to get this working well and then enhance.
We do hear all your comments of the test fee and take these into account, this enhancement should not cost too much and we hope will not take you too long but this is what the trial is for.
Comment by Paul Ashcroft posted on
Why cant we a have a set price for a Mot test instead of a max price so Mot stations cannot under cut each other and everyone can make a decent living.Some garages charge as little as £25 how can you compete with that.
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
Thanks Paul - although getting a little off the topic of the article!
Fees are not a DVSA responsibility but are for DfT - although I'm sure they will be seeing this article and comments! Should fees be looked at, I'm sure there will be debate then about whether government should fix what people pay or keep the well established model we have today. Don't want to deviate further from the cameras / photos subject here - but is an interesting debate!
Comment by Ross Youlton posted on
I'm not against it in principal, and personally I think I'll put myself forward for the trial as I'm struggling to see how it'll work at our test station, but ultimately the test fee has to increase to cover the extra time and equipment. Too many additions have been made already with no increase in fee. In addition the MOT test fee should be rising by the average annual RPI on a yearly basis. Perhaps not the point of this discussion, but still valid.
Comment by Chris Price posted on
Hi Ross
Glad you want to be involved in the trial and I'm sure if you are it will become clearer how it works and we hope you find it easier to use.
We understand the issue with fees and do raise with DfT. We don't want the fee to be an obstacle to the investment needed to make the MOT fit for the future.
Comment by tom posted on
Would a photo be required for re tests as
some re tests can be done without the need for car to be on a lift as long as in a testing area ?
Comment by Alistair Price posted on
Hi Tom thanks for your enquiry,
Taking a photo at the time of retest is included in this feature as we believe it adds similar value as a photo during the initial test.
Ideally the retest photo would be in a recognisable test area understanding that this may not always be the most convenient however, the planned trials will inform DVSA's future policy on this requirement.
Comment by Matt W posted on
Good idea but I think it should be an automatic camera linked to the online testing equipment so for instance when the test starts the vehicle can be time stamped and clearly identified and when the test finishes another pic is automatically saved with a time stamp showing the elapsed time of the test.
Comment by mark mitchell posted on
good idea keep it simple a camera linked to the mts device fixed camera linked to the computer that carrys out the mot its not hard to do and we need a price increase every body else has had a price/wages increase
Comment by Chris Price posted on
Hi Matt
This will directly link to MTS and the image will be time and date stamped. In the future we may be able link to ANPR and enable test registration. This feature is exciting as it does give us a good basis to enhance.
Comment by Matt W posted on
Chris this does sound like a good idea, but for the testing station it is an additional cost, has an adjustment in the test fee been considered when adding additional costs for fitment maintenance etc?
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
This is just a pilot at the moment. But I do agree that should there be material change to the MOT, we should ensure that consideration is given to the need for fee change. And as we have said in other responses, we do understand the concern - and don't want the fee to become an obstacle to us doing things better.
Comment by Bob B. posted on
Argos - tablet is £43, Smart phone £60. both more than capable of doing this job. This process is just the start of monitoring the vehicle presence at the testing station - it will evolve as ideas and issues are revealed and addressed. i do not understand all the negative comments, its to help you and your business be associated as safe and trustworthy by the people using it.
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
Thanks for the comments. Still more to do - but we are also concious of the need to keep cost effective - and, as you point out, this can be.
I understand the challenge of fees - but equally a well thought of MOT, will have a brighter and more secure future.
Comment by james posted on
None of these measures will ultimately work as the criminals will be using photoshop to amend pictures taken and the honest garages suffer. All this extra work for not a lot of return is pushing garages away from the MOT scheme.
Comment by Chris Price posted on
Hi James
The image can only be uploaded from the camera on the device used, so there is no way that the image can be manipulated.
This is a relatively small change to the start of the test and should not take too long, eventually this will become a simple addition to the test.
Comment by Leigh Newbould posted on
A bit of a general comment but take the actual test away and locate in a local area facility run and staffed by VOSA personnel ... all they do is test . They'd be able to keep a tighter control over test quality. Leave the repairs to the garages. We all moan that the fee doesn't cover the time or investment and it doesn't. Whilst the MOT is the minimum requirement for a vehicle to be on the road it's very slow to keep pace with vehicle technology. A complete rethink of the whole MOT system is required
Comment by Chris Price posted on
Hi Leigh
We have no plans to change the current model for delivering MOT testing to the public. The current network of garages across the country work well and gives the motorist plenty of choice and on the whole provide a good service. We will continue to evolve the service to ensure it is fit for the future and the new vehicle types.
Comment by Neal Gibson-Barton posted on
A step in the right direction, time and cost I feel is something that needs to be looked at in conjuntion with this all our overheads have sky rocketed since lockdown, I know the problem with retaining the test scheme has money related issues but it is fast becoming unsustainable to constantly up rate our time with new innovations no matter how good they are and retain the current test fees/.
Comment by Chris Price posted on
Hi Neal
Thanks for your comments.
We understand the issue with rising costs and the test fee, and do raise the issue with DfT. We don't want the fee to be an obstacle to the investment needed to make the MOT fit for the future.
Comment by Mike posted on
Great idea but an even better one would be to raise the fee for the mot so when you come up with bright ideas like this we get paid for our time implementing them!!!
Comment by Chris Price posted on
Hi Mike
Glad you think this is a good idea.
We understand the issue with fee's, and do raise the issue with DfT. We don't want the fee to be an obstacle to the investment needed to make the MOT fit for the future.
Comment by Rob Drinkwater posted on
This is a start to improve the integrity of the test.
But this is yet one more thing that will take testers time, and another expense VTS will.hsvevti bear, buying and using a tablet for this task.
It's unreasonable to expect testers to use their own phone for this task.
Bearing in mind all this, the £54.85 is simply not enough, there has been no price rise for fourteen years, yet look how everything has gone up around us, wages, heating, lighting, calibrations, rent, rates, equipment costs, it's all many times as expensive as it was fifteen years ago, yet we can't charge a penny more.
If the ministry are expecting VTS to do much more than they were fourteen years ago, the price must go up, we now have to test many more things on each vehicle than we did fourteen years ago, we will be expected to take photos soon, and what else is coming with emissions testing being expanded, yet VTS can't charge any more.
Class 4 needs to go up to £75 immediately, with £5 increments every year due the next five years, that way it'll get close to coming in line with inflation over the last 14 years.
Additionally, it has to becjbe a fixed fee across the country, no discounts, no offers, just a fixed price.
After all, I can't go to a different post office and get my car tax or TV licence cheaper, so why should I be able to go to a different MOT station and get that cheaper,it's a government run service, not a free for all.
It's time for action and standardisation.
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
Thanks for the supportive words on doing more on improving the integrity of the MOT. I do firmly believe that this kind of action is essential for us being able to show that the service is credible going forward.
As has been said elsewhere in here (we have spotted a theme in many of the responses) - we do understand the challenges the fee can bring, and there is a danger this becomes an obstacle to the good things we all want to do to make the service better. So we do understand the concern, and will continue to flag to DfT colleagues. On the question of standardisation, I'm sure there will be differing views on that - but I do understand the sentiment.
Comment by John J posted on
Another form of control from another government agency.
You’ve stated that your short on mot testers all these processes your slowly putting in place is making the scheme less appealing to the younger generations coming into the trade. I know at least 5 guys that are no longer interested in becoming a tester because of the crap you have to go through. Will we be given extra time for all this or just expected to fit it in ? Why can’t you put this much effort into investigating and acting on information given on mot stations that are not abiding by the rules ?
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
Thanks for the feedback John.
I do understand the challenge and the issues in attracting young people to our industry as a whole - not just the MOT part of it. We absolutely are part of a bigger picture, that we must all work together to make the industry an attractive choice for those coming out of their education!
However, I don't think we should do that at the expense of not trying to improve the service - and make sure it is credible to the public and to Ministers. It does not seem unreasonable to have a photo of a car - isn't this consistent with how many things are going (car servcing, parcel delivery).
So yes, we need to make our industry attractive - but we should also recognise that we will need to move with society.
Comment by Daniel Cox posted on
Really concerned at how much pressure testers are under to push as many tests through as possible due to low retail price of test. Pictures not a bad idea . But please put the price up
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
I do understand the tension here - and there can be a risk that the fee being capped too low, can cause a drive to the bottom. Obviously we do not set a time for the MOT, but I understand it can drive some behaviours. So, yes, we do understand - but hopefully it doesn't prevent us thinking about the opportunities for doing things better .
Comment by Simon R posted on
Definitely a good idea to combat MOT fraud and keep potentially unroadworthy vehicles off the road. I assume the long overdue fee increase will be happening to allow for extra time involved in taking and uploading photos?
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
This is just a pilot at this stage, but we do hope that this shows its worth and is something we can take forward.
We understand the concerns on fees, and we will need to make sure any costs on garages are understood before any decisions are made.
Comment by Mark Ellis posted on
Well, all interesting comments..
Ai in time will get round this.. and swapping plates would also
get round the issue.. Unfortunately the problem is never ending !
It is, again, the bad apple in the barrel ,so we ALL have to suffer !!
YOU the DVSA know who the wrong are.. .
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
Thanks for the note Mark. And you are right this one measure doesn't stop all fraud - but it is part of the picture.
We will learn a lot from the pilot - and hopefully we can get to a solution or solutions that work for all. It is not intended that taking a quick photo becomes the majority suffering - and is a good thing for the scheme as a whole.
And of course, this doesn't take away from the good work the enforcement teams do in identifying and dealing with fraud. But, as always with these things, there is more that can be done.
Comment by Jack mackenzie posted on
We need a test fee increase, who’s paying for the tablets
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
This is a pilot at this stage. Working assumption would be that devices would not be provided by DVSA - as would, sensibly, be used for other things than just this. But let's learn from the pilots and see how we go.
Comment by richard posted on
who is supplying the phone/tablet for this ? not everyone has a smart phone , allowed to use it on the shop floor or wants to use their own personal one for work .
Comment by Adrian posted on
Number plate has to mach the chassis number for the vehicle in question/ so just number plate will not be enough to prevent fraudulent Mot’s . A short video recording of the nr plate and then chassis number will stop any ways around just taking a photo with the number plate . Also , will be a good practice to increase fee of the MOT test and bring it in line with increasing cost on everything else, that will be the best ways to stop fraudulent MOT’s . , as if testers are payed a decent salary I would not think will be inclined in any fraudulent activities anymore!
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
You are right. But the intent is to start simple, and build from that. I think if we start if trying to do everything we will falter. But agree - we could get to those sorts of things in future.
Comment by Paul Adams posted on
Some are moaning, but seems like a good idea, I'd prefer a camera in my bay to do it automatically, especially trying to decide how bad number plates are these days.
But we do need to stop Ghost tests and this is a step forward, I currently test 10 cars a day can see this adding time and I'm not so keen on using my own phone also.
All this said a lot of work is carried out on a test in short period, is it not time to look at the test fee to accommodate the extra work and the changing training that we have yearly now.
Comment by Neil S posted on
A good start but to eradicate this issue of fraudulent mots an awful lot more is required. Photo id of the tester at the garage would be a good start.
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
Thanks for the comments.
And agree, this thing in isolation will not eradicate fraud - but hopefully a step in the right direction.
As with all pilots we shall learn from it, and in parallel keep working with industry on other ideas.
Comment by Myke posted on
There used to be a, Displaying a list of nominated testers (VT26) photos.
At about 2015 testing roles / rules were updated and changed and
VTSs are no longer required to display their list of NTs on their public notice board.
Comment by Marcus Paton posted on
Why not just have a camera running through the mot that way you get the vehicle and the mot tester in the film and they could be recognised from the camera and making sure they are doing the mot to dvsa standards
Comment by Nick posted on
MOT Prices should be at least double as everything else has massively increased, most workshops labour rates are now above a MOT test price so to add more to testers job again maybe a good safety idea but with all MOT stations costs the prices for test need to catch up massively.
Comment by James Appleson posted on
Great idea! But it’s time to up the test fees now. It’s taking the mick being the same price for so long. It should’ve been increased with inflation like anything else! Should be nearly double the current fee, cmon DVSA!
Comment by James posted on
Yet more admin while the test fee has not gone up in 15 years. Testing stations closing around us closing all the time, connected testing not helping there either.
It would probably be quite easy for a data engineer to find the fraudulent by looking at the test data.
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
I get the point. Although overall, MTS numbers not going down.
On looking at the data, we do analyse the existing data - and use that to help targeting, and in fact some of that is automated. But not all fraud is the big patterns. Photos will have the potential to provide a richer source for analysis - but we absolutely understand it is not the only thing in fraud reduction.
Comment by John Campbell posted on
I think this is a positive step but also think with this being added there should be a fee increase
Comment by dan posted on
Why the need to mess around login in on a PC or Laptop then got to mess around login onto A phone or I-pad etc Just for one photo. Surely with today's technology there must be an easier way.
Comment by Shaun Walsh posted on
Definitely think this is a good idea but think we should have the option of taking pictures of the rear or the vehicle as it would be difficult for me to get a decent picture of the front of the vehicle whilst it’s on the ramp
Comment by Steve Tidy posted on
If you have a connected emissions analyser why not send an electronic test log, similar to an online test done and sent from main dealers to the brand. Could be tricky with gdpr but an online emissions log from a unique ip address could me more effective than taking a picture.
Just a thought.
Comment by Joeblogs posted on
Or get the chassis number from the emmisons eobd ready that we already use
Comment by james chester posted on
Under the data protection act will the customer have to consent
I can remember being told I could not have cctv on the bay as it went against the above
Seems a good idea to me
Comment by lloyd chalke posted on
This is a good move but will the phone last all day you should supply the unit for this purpose ???
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
Charging feels like the kind of issues that will come out of trials - hence doing them.
On who should supply the ability to take a quick digital photo. I guess feels sensible to keep consistent with other kit - but do understand the tensions on cost/fee (as covered elsewhere in here).
Comment by Mr Harjinder Hoonjan posted on
This a good idea, I hope this is the beginning of a more stringent MOT tests.
Comment by Andrew young posted on
Many customers don’t like their car being photographed. What if they refuse to have their photo uploaded?
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
I guess the kind of thing that will come out of the pilot.
Going forward we will, assuming we take this forward, we would need to make clear this is part of the test. In the same way a brake test is - its not an option the customer can choose if they want an MOT!
Comment by Peter Anning posted on
Good idea in principle I think, I would add this is additional effort for no more reward, when are the test fees going up? If they were tracking inflation they would be around £90, it’s a loss leader for my garage and I think it’s unfair, I think less scrupulous individuals will only exacerbate the situation you’re trying to fix.
Comment by scott clayton posted on
good practice, we all need to move forward,
a step in the right direction
Comment by Mr Karl Moss posted on
If your doing this, might as well do mileage as I imagine this takes up plenty of dvsa admin time when a tester mixes up km and miles or puts it in incorrectly.
Comment by Mr Karl Moss posted on
A great idea however, will the mot retail fee go up as this adds more time to the test.
The mot retail hasn't been altered since 2010 yet wages and running costs/equipment has.
For example, the class 4 retail with inflation since 2010 should now be at least £81.86
Comment by dave posted on
its a good idea but to retain a large number of the older generation of testers it needs to be as simple as possible.
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
Thanks Dave.
And yes, part of the reason for piloting is to check how this works across a wide range of users. It may be we end up with options to suit different users. And yes, we are fans of keeping things simple!
Comment by A J Fisher posted on
Good idea in principle, however does not prove vehicle was tested correctly. Not all sites have testers that have smart phones, or service coverage where they work.
ANPR camera logging the vehicle in and out of test bay would make more sense. No one wants unsafe vehicles on our roads, but I think taking photos is not the way forward.
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
Thanks, and you are right that it does not prove the vehicle is tested right. But it does, no pun intended, help improve the picture around fraud prevention.
And yes, there are options around whether a fixed or mobile camera works best - and we understand the challenges. For many a fixed camera may not work because of the complexities of the garage configuration. But going forward there may need to be options.
On automatic number plate recognition, adding that kind of processing to photos is something we may look at going forward - but let's start simple.
Comment by Nick posted on
Why not incorporate it into the MOT Test Lane and have the photo taken automatically at a random point during the test.
Comment by Mark Trodd posted on
Even though this seems a good idea to combat the ghost testing I feel us honest testers will be disadvantaged, my main tester who is 62 years is not computerised at all and doesn't possess even a mobile phone ,this would be an impossible task for him to upload photos ect. if this becomes statutory, I know I will lose my Faithfull employee
Comment by Michael Potter. posted on
This is a good idea,but it is time spent that I'm not getting paid for.
The test fee has not increased with inflation for many years. Every test I do is costing me money. Our labour rate far excedes what we are paid for the time taken to do a test compared to what a retail customer would have to pay. It has come to the point when I am seriously considering giving up testing (even though I consider myself to test to the highest standards) because every test loses my busines money.
Comment by Andy Andy posted on
What about photoshop tho someone always finds a way around it, you should just do live recordings start to finish
Comment by Mike Butland posted on
Good idea but time for fee increase long overdue there has been many improvements to testing over the last ten years most at our expense.The-old adage put forward by AE that while stations are undercutting the statuary fee just does not hold water for me.The mot price has been held even after huge increases in wages,utilities,insurance etc no one tells Tesco they can’t raise prices because Aldi is cheaper time to help us out.
Comment by john white posted on
all photos need a time stamp to show when the photo was taken
Comment by rw posted on
I would like to see further on MOT's, Perhaps taking a video of failures, and advisories that you could then link to and look at. Helpful for a vehicles history
Comment by Jack Lyons posted on
This is not going to stop fraud or bent MOTs. If you are going to need the whole test filming from beginning to end. It's another job to get started on a test. Glad I am soon retiring. What we need also is a recording device on the tester that when he speaks it goes on to the failure sheet. So if he sees a tyre that's below the limits he says Failure, nearside front tyre below limits. That is then recorded. This would reduce writing things down and maybe missing to write a defect. We should be using the technology that is here.
Comment by Peter Goodspeed posted on
Crack on ! No drama all for it.
Comment by trevor posted on
great idea
Comment by Bill posted on
Have had a bad experience with an MOT but could not find an easy way to report it, apart from l presume, going to the police.
Comment by Anthony Barnard posted on
Not all of us have a smart phone or tablet, Carl Barnard.
Comment by Andrew posted on
Very true …I always thought we were meant to use a pc or tablet , but not to use phones ….
Comment by Ron posted on
Its very simple to have a "workshop" smart phone, and just link it to the company wifi - it doesn't need to have an active SIM. We use an old mobile phone for our brake tester (we are not an MOT test station), its my old company phone. You can get very cheap new phones, or even an old second hand phone. As for age & technical ability, one of my fitters is 73 and he manages to carry out brake tests most of the time (the software is buggy), and he doesn't have a mobile of his own, never has,
Comment by Gary Durrell posted on
What an excellent idea. Well done
Comment by Shafqit Khan posted on
Absolutely agree very good idea I think a photo of the chassis number also would help and should be taken on the testers personal phone and uploaded.
Comment by Teresa Bowley posted on
I am a Taxi and Private licensing specialist officer for local authority and this is really good news, we struggle with consistency and know that a licensee will choose an MOT garage that are more lenient.
The other area of concern is: is the tester MOT authorised to carry out the MOT test?
I think the checks should go further and the tester should be photo ID recognised before the test takes place.
Comment by Mark Marsden posted on
Not going to work this doesn't mean they are doing the physical mot ,it just shows it on the ramp,just more rubbish for us honest testers to put up with I'm glad I'm 62 and out of this game soon
Comment by Rick Sandison posted on
Couldn't agree more, similar age as yourself, and mindset. They should concentrate on getting rid of grey areas in the scheme.
Comment by Paul posted on
I understand where you are coming from, Mark.
Just more to do in the same amount of time, whilst under pressure. Not to mention all the legal jargon that comes with it.
I'm 46, and there are times I wonder what I'm doing here in the game. I used to enjoy all of this - but it's now just more stress on top of stress.
Of course, the employer doesn't understand why this would affect us as a technician/tester and just start barking when things are taking too long!
Cars are just ridiculous to work on these days, and then all this on top of it all!
I think it's great that DVSA are trying to rule out foul play, but it's all getting too much at times.
Even the training I have to do in my free time and don't get paid for it.
Comment by Rob Drinkwater posted on
It does at least mean the vehicle is likely to be in site, so not a ghost MOT, whether the test is carried out correctly or not us a different thing.
But as 80% of all fraudulent MOTs are ghost MOTs, this has got to help reduce the MOTs issued in lay-bys and on sofas.
Comment by Ron posted on
How about a picture of the front at the start of the Mot, and a picture of the rear at the end of the Mot. I know its double the work, but it would make it a more difficult to ghost Mot vehicles, the vehicle would have to be there, they can't just drive it in and take a picture, they'd need to either just leave it there for the correct amount of time, or get it in, out, and in again.
Comment by nick doncaster posted on
more things to do still the test fee stays the same
Comment by Mr Karl Moss posted on
Especially as last increase was 2010.
Class 4 should now be just over £81.86 based on inflation.
Comment by Mike Lloyd posted on
I agree with you but unfortunately the amount of testing stations that offer cut price testing doesn’t help the situation
Comment by Paul posted on
And the time slot designated for the test!
Comment by CAPTAIN JEREMY DENNISON posted on
It should be in the late 60s not as it is now its too cheap
Comment by Huss0157 posted on
Instead of taking photos why don’t we have anpr camera connected in each garage and send picture of vin number instead
Comment by David Self posted on
Good idea -
Comment by dave posted on
probably cost issues who would pay for ANPR, if the maximum fee chargable for a test went up the perhaps garage wouldn't mind paying for an anpr camera if they could charge more for an mot
Comment by CAPTAIN JEREMY DENNISON posted on
Much better idea
Comment by B-Ste posted on
While this is helpful, it would also assist to capture a side-on view (or perhaps an image from all 4 sides) of the vehicle, and to ensure that all these images form a part of the historical MoT record. Far too many illegal modifications and excessively tinted (blacked out) front side windows pass through MoTs (given the inability for a regular MoT station to robustly challenge this) and subsequent prosecutions then founder because it can't be proven when the change was made - the "it was always like that" argument. This visual history would also be very useful for vehicles with IVAs as I have had a car fail an MoT despite VOSA having approved it as was for use in this country ...
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
Agree that is the sort of thing that could be done in future. But let's start simple, and see how we go. But a good idea!
Comment by robert braithwaite posted on
Yes good idea
Comment by Josh Vaggs posted on
Great idea. Would be great if testers were able to take photos of advisories and failures so future buyers of cars/trucks etc can visually see if these defects have been repaired/replaced easier.
Comment by Neil Barlow (DVSA) posted on
Agree, that is the sort of thing that could be added in future - and may help motorists. So plan is to start simple - but that is just the sort of place this could go!
Comment by Lee hughes posted on
Great idea, good positive step forward in my opinion
Comment by Simon posted on
I have no issue on improving the MOT system & standards but really think it's about time all MOT testers & MOT stations got together & have a national strike on MOT testing to give the people behind the MTS & DfT a shake up, no maximum MOT price increase in the last 14/15 years is ridiculous, all other running cost have increased during this time, we are basically financing the motorist, think like the farmers, take action like the farmers, we should unite together!!!!!!!! No other trade would tolerate it.