We’ve received lots of feedback about making technical information about specific vehicles available on the MOT testing service. We understand that this would help you to make decisions on how to test complex components safely.
We’ve already done some work to investigate how we can introduce this to the MOT testing service and we’ve planned more work for the near future.
What happened to VSI?
On the old ‘MOT Comp’ service we provided Vehicle Specific Information (VSI) to testers.
VSI provided information such as VIN location, brake testing weight, ABS presence and lighting test sequence, and the type of roller brake test required.
Before we made the move to the new MOT testing service, our management and technical standards teams reviewed VSI with VTS council members.
During the review, we picked up lots of positive feedback on VSI but we also identified several problems with it. For instance, it was hard to pick the right vehicle in some cases, so for many tests the wrong VSI ended up being used.
Also, some information was incomplete and much of it wasn’t very specific to the vehicle. So it didn’t always do what it said on the tin!
The review and user feedback revealed that brake testing weight information was essential. We introduced this function as one of the first updates and attached this information to specific vehicles so you don’t need to search for them. There were a few problems with this data to begin with, but we’re gradually fixing any issues with it.
We always intended to make more technical information about specific vehicles available on the MOT testing service. Unfortunately, this has taken us a little longer than we originally planned.
Providing the right technical information
We’re continuing to review your feedback and we’re looking at what technical information you need.
You’ve told us that you want the service to provide information on:
- whether a vehicle can be roller brake tested
- how to test electro mechanical parking brake systems
- anti-lock braking system lamp operation
- adaptive air suspension
- tyre pressure monitoring systems
- original fitment of CATs and DPFs
Please let us know in the comments what you think about the above list. Is this what we should be looking at, and which of these should be our priority?
It might be that we don’t introduce all the changes at once. There could be different options for different types of information. For example, some technologies are fitted to all vehicles from a certain date.
This means the way we source that type of information will be different to the specific information on a braking system that only applies to vehicles with a particular engine or transmission fitment.
We want to avoid testers using the wrong information. So whatever solution we do come up with, we know that this information needs to be clear and easy to use.
We’ll continue working on how best to deliver this and we’ll update you as we make progress.
Keep sending us feedback
One of the other useful pieces of feedback we’ve had is that it would be helpful to let testers add technical information that they know. We’ll need to give this some thought to determine how this could work, but the principle sounds great, and it’s something we’ll look into.
Please keep commenting on the blog and using the feedback link to tell us what technical information you need.
Making this information available is something we’re looking into as a matter of priority - so watch this space.
116 comments
Comment by david posted on
your list is very good and helpful other additions id have is jacking points would be useful addition and particular quirks in specific vehicles like upper strut etc.
if the information is going help us in making better decisions the more information the better.
THANK YOU for listening to us testers
Comment by Stuart H posted on
How to test electronic handbrake very essential
Which cars can be roller brake tested essential.
Comment by Tony posted on
Air suspension information and electric parking brake testing methods would be useful. Thank you
Comment by NIGEL, IPSWICH. posted on
With all the new warning systems and warning light indicators on the dash board weather they are connected with the mot test or not, it might be handy to have an on screen chart indicating what each warning light represents.
Comment by Paul posted on
Jacking points and sequences for hydraulic and air suspension would be great as in Citroens
Comment by Amir Manzoori posted on
The more information testers have the more likelihood of a correct test being carried out. And I too agree with Dan with the Four items he mentioned.
Comment by Ian bienias posted on
The problem with original dpfs and cats is when somebody changes an engine or modifies a car you can not always tell and sometimes when you phone the dealers they can't even tell what was fitted
Comment by Steve posted on
You told us VSI was removed because we apparently said in the surveys you carried out that we didn't want it . Doesn't appear like it , anyway glad you've had a rethink DVSA
Comment by Roy posted on
I ment about time
Comment by Paul Turner posted on
Tanfastic we are nearly back to where we were two years ago. Still asking the same old questions, how can we help senior men do their own jobs. Knock Knock rattle the tin anyone there listening? D'ont think ah so! Progression? Volunteers required, two steps backwards ten shun. New cards, log on, why? back again two years, jobs for the incompetent, come and try the grass roots and take home the learning experience.
Comment by David posted on
What might be a good thing to include in your next generation VSI/Technical system is the incorporation of instrument warning lamps that should be fitted to age related vehicles from the manufacturer, the reason I bring this up is because there are some many warning lamps now on modern vehicles and its not always clear which systems are fitted to which vehicles, i.e. TCS as an example.
Comment by Anthony posted on
Yes finally ive been really hoping they would do this. I think i can speak for all testers in saying thank you very much
Comment by John posted on
Love the new rfr layout would appreciate more information about cat and dpf original fitment , top strut mounts etc . Keep up the good work!!
Comment by Lou posted on
How about information on ESC warning lights, the probability of finding the handbook in the car to check is slim to non-existent!
Comment by Craig posted on
Surely with Comp 2 well into full swing, you know from each and every brake test result whether or not a vehicle can be roller brake tested. The only hard part would be to sift through the duplicates and sort ones that should have been but were instead decelerometer tested.
Comment by Dick Mack posted on
How about usefull info. Corsa D. Strut tops for play. Common faults / design features which are not a fail.
Comment by Kevin posted on
Definitely the way forward ?
Comment by Paul posted on
Take a look at autodata they already put a lot of this info on there site but it comes at price but is very useful
Comment by Ian posted on
It would be great to have this information in front of you.if you are a none franchise test station you will have a lot of makes and models coming in through your doors
Comment by kevin posted on
if testers leave technical info they( know) that is not checked as being 100% correct with the vehicle manufacture who will be held liable if damage or injury is caused?
Comment by Mick posted on
at last the new system will be as good as the old system
Comment by Paul posted on
Very positive and a good addition to the service.
Comment by Michael Brown posted on
Electric parking brake test procedures and jacking procedures on vehicles with air suspension etc should be priority.
We all do not want to damage something by doing something wrong
Comment by Dan posted on
The class of test to carry out would be useful
Comment by Kevin C Thompson posted on
Really missed the VSI.
It was always helpful
Comment by Viv Beel posted on
Really good idea, joined up thinking at last, as some of the other contributors have said, vehicle jacking points would be a real bonus.
Comment by Alan posted on
How about talking to Autodata & tapping in to parts of their system?
Comment by Josh posted on
What about brake test for electronic handbrakes?
Comment by Chris posted on
Good idea for cat and dpfs but something should be also done for the vehicle's that have had there dpfs cut open and the inners removed and a dpf delete. There should also be made possible for the the light to illuminate like there is for abs etc
Comment by Ricky posted on
Electro-mechanical parking brake info definitely needed, roller brake info would be great too.
Comment by Ray posted on
Some ball joints also have an acceptable amount of lift as standard it would be a very useful addition to list the amount by vehicle make/model.
Comment by Carl_a posted on
Exceptable allowed suspension play. I.e. corsa d top mounts are allowed to have play in them. Vsi used to tell you this.
Comment by Ex dvsa posted on
Cat fitment..... Hmmmmm trouble is testers take the info as gospel and can't be bothered to look in the manual.
Comment by steve long posted on
yes all of list i don't think you can have to much info it may remind you of something you have forgotten [like turning off esp for brake test on some vehicles]
Comment by Mick Sumner posted on
On the non-compliance information can you put on undertrays fitted and engine covers fitted please
Comment by Steve posted on
Location of OBD connection would be a huge benefit and time saver .
Comment by Nasser posted on
Vsi is essential for us mot tester, I would like to see
whether a vehicle can be roller brake tested: YES
how to test electro mechanical parking brake systems: YES
anti-lock braking system lamp operation:NO
adaptive air suspension: YES
tyre pressure monitoring systems:YES
original fitment of CATs and DPFs:YES
Comment by Lawrence Coote posted on
General things like a corsa d is meant to have a little play in front top suspension mount when jacked, the information on this is now gone so I would imagine lots of people are failing them when they are meant to be like that. Knowing things like that is very important
Comment by Neil posted on
Would make testing easier on some of the above systems.
Comment by a tester posted on
it will never happen cant even get brake testing weights correct especially on vw group
Comment by Simon Birkett, Founder and Director of Clean Air in London posted on
Dear DVSA and DfT
Your lack of enforcement and reliance on a 'visual check' test for the 'original fitment of (CATs and) DPFs' is covering-up the industrial scale removal of factory-fitted abatement equipment and associated activity across the UK. For example, you must also check, enforce and stop people tampering, removing or modifying OBD units e.g. remapping and ECU delete.
You are both complicit in the widespread bypassing of fundamental public health protections. For examples search 'dpf removal and remap':
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22dpf+removal%22&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-ab&gfe_rd=cr&ei=e6kkWNTtKYvY8AeonbCgCg#q=dpf+removal+and+remap
Please address these issues urgently.
Yours sincerely
Simon Birkett
Founder and Director
Clean Air in London
Comment by John G posted on
All this information would be helpful. Operation of headlight washers is
Something that keeps coming up at our garage.
Comment by Dicky posted on
Everything apart from abs and tpms. Add park brake test routines for land rovers etc etc .
Comment by Simon Lytton posted on
Yes - very much in agreement with all this. Although I imagine you mainly have new vehicles in mind, working in conjunction with manufacturers to provide the necessary information, I also think this would be useful to roll out for classic vehicles. I am a member of the Citroen Car Club and we regularly hear of testers who are unfamiliar with the quirks of an old hydraulic Citroen - the parking brake being on the front axle, for example. I am sure that technical experts from all classic car clubs would happily assist in providing technical information to broaden this database, and improve testing for testers and customers alike.
Comment by Dutchman posted on
good steps better than dutch RDW
Comment by Guy posted on
Why not make VSI an app
Comment by Dan posted on
1. whether a vehicle can be roller brake tested - Yes, Essential
2. how to test electro mechanical parking brake systems - Yes, Useful
3. anti-lock braking system lamp operation - No, Pointless, The lamp only needs to come on and go out!
4. adaptive air suspension - Yes, Useful
5. tyre pressure monitoring systems - No, Pointless, the lamp is either on or off!!
6. original fitment of CATs and DPFs - Yes, Useful
Comment by Robert falkirk posted on
Can you give us a fail safe ruling on testing 4x4 for example Nissan Navara etc
Comment by stu posted on
Dan, number 5, sometimes they can flash or change colour. Remember if the light is on indicating low pressure this is not rfr, the light must be indicating a fault with the monitoring system
Comment by Carl posted on
Can we roller brake test and if so how please
Comment by chris b posted on
all as dan says , add weights for vehicles
Comment by Dan w posted on
I agree to the abs and tpms as long as they go out their indicates no faults. But definitely to epb and which vehicles can be rbt to be put on the priority list
Comment by Stuart posted on
Brilliant this will make life easier
Comment by Ian posted on
Yes ever thing on the list and OBD socket location
Comment by Wayne posted on
On the comments on data plug locations it's shown on those who have auto data and most diagnostic machines will tell you the locations too.
Comment by Otis posted on
Jacking methods for the specific vehicle is essential. The rest of the list is comprehensive but some an inclusion of anomolies we can expect on certain vehicles such as the amount of lift in the upper strut mount as one example.
Comment by Mark posted on
Totally agree with this one. No more information for ball joint allowance for sprinters and other suspension related info.
Comment by jaf posted on
about time youve listened for once thankyou
Comment by Paul posted on
i agree !
Comment by d bradley-scrivener posted on
yes data link conections are a good idea as the next exhaust gas anilizer we will have will pick up rpm and temp feeds from this on vehicles fitted with one, (though some older diesels will still need another form of reading)
Comment by paul posted on
good development thank you
Comment by rich dixon posted on
also could be of benefit to have DLC Port location's
Comment by rich dixon posted on
very positive step, would be a helpfull addition
Comment by julian posted on
will be a good addition to the service
Comment by Graham posted on
How to jack up a car with maaad air suspension systems, landrover, citroen etc...
Comment by John posted on
Why do we need to be told about ABS lamp operation?, all we need to know is that it illuminates and goes out as per the manual, unless of course that you're thinking of changing the test procedure and that we'll need to know each specific vehicle sequence.
Comment by Lloyd posted on
How long have you been testing? Not all ABS light sequences are like that. Land rover etc...
Comment by John posted on
My point being is that there is no requirement for the lamp to follow a set sequence, all that the manual sates is that it has to illuminate to show that it's actually connected to something and not to be lit so as to indicate a fault with the system. We no longer have to know that a Land Rover light doesn't go out until you drive the car or a Porsche Boxster one should go out as soon as the ignition light goes out. We need proper reliable VSI that is actually useful, relevant and helps us to conduct a test to the correct standard, not like some aspects of the old VSI that told us that it was our responsibility to determine whether a four wheel drive/LSD variant of a car could use a RBT, rather than telling us that the car we were testing could/couldn't be tested on a RBT. How about VSI on EPBs fitted to vehicles that are unsuitable for the RBT?, many of them will assume that it's an emergency when they are used whilst the car is moving and will operate the service brake. Why not get the information correct that's already in use first?, I've had cars in for test with brake testing weights of 11 and 15Kgs. In this day and age, would it be really so difficult to link the data from the V5C to the MOT system?
Comment by David Vaughan. Poole Bay Motors. posted on
Yes! Thanks for listening.
Comment by Stephen posted on
Yahoo
Thank you...
Comment by cheekyboy posted on
yes!!!!!! at last in big favour of this