MOT Workshop August 07

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Computerisation

The following is reproduced from the Directgov website (link below) CROWN COPYRIGHT.

Computerisation of the MOT test Work is currently underway to computerise the paperwork related to the MOT testing scheme.

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is carrying out the work in partnership with Siemens Business Services.

Why change?

The system is changing because VOSA needs to:

Improve testing standards by:

• providing accurate, up-to-date information for the MOT testing stations;
• collecting better information;
• monitoring test standards more closely; and,
• improving the quality of MOT documents.

  Reduce theft and fraud associated with MOT certificates by:

• closer monitoring;
• tighter control of certificates; and,
• reducing dependence on paper certificates

  Improve administration by:

• passing information to and from garages electronically;
• automatically collecting and updating information;
• providing electronic ordering and payment systems; and,
• improving the way records are kept.

  Improve consumer protection and confidence in the MOT test by:

• ensuring more consistent standards;
• enabling the general public to check if a vehicle passed or failed an MOT; and,
• improving protection and making it easier to detect fraud.

The change involves all 18,500 MOT testing stations. They will be provided with PCs, monitors and printers and connected to a central database of vehicle information, test results and details of authorised examiners and testers.
Access to the system will be for authorised users via electronic smart cards and a password.
The MOT computerisation software is still being developed, it will then need to be extensively trialled and tested. Only once this has been completed to the satisfaction of both VOSA and the trade will it be given to all vehicle testing stations (VTS).
This will commence in late 2004 and will take around six months to complete.

So what does this mean to you?
You will not notice any difference when you take your vehicle for a test, except that the MOT certificate will be in a new format. However, the details of the test will be recorded on the database at the same time as your documents are produced.
For motorists the main feature of the new system is that you can check the MOT status and test history of any vehicle that you own, or are considering buying.
You will be able to do this either by calling an enquiry number or by visiting a website. If you are buying a vehicle, you will need the current owner's permission. If there is any doubt about the validity of a test certificate, the system will provide you with certain key details of information including recorded mileage and any advisory items found at the time of the MOT test.
The facility to check the MOT history of the vehicle will provide full test details for all the tests undertaken on the vehicle since the system was computerised.
It is hoped that this will encourage motorists to obtain the test history of vehicles before buying so they can make a more informed judgement.
If you have any further queries about MOT computerisation call the MOT enquiry line on 0845 600 5977 (calls charged at local rate).

Directgov - widest range of government information and services online

More computerisation links:

VOSA Website

The current
(Aug - Oct 07)
editions of MOT Testing 54 and MOT Workshop 19, including the 07 version of the Car Owner's Guide poster, are now in circulation.

Sample Articles
Click on the article heading on the left below to view a sample article from issue No. 47 of MOT Testing Magazine.

Or see pdfs of back issues

Computerisation Update...

In the August 07 edition of MOT Testing Magazine

The 4-2-2 numbers game – The government wants to score points by ‘saving the motorist money’; road safety and vehicle servicing interests point out the inevitable carnage on the roads – wherever this ridiculous idea come from, it’s time to end the damaging uncertainty…

Testing Times – The Editor’s comments and analysis of various issues affecting the MOT industry…

VOSA Matters – Will tailpipe emission checks be replaced by OBD? plus an interview with Head of Private Vehicle Scheme Management Alan Wilson…

Readers’ Letters – Another selection from our post bag…

In The Red – Our Editor’s Testing Station recently underwent an ‘Interview’ designed to determine its ‘risk score’ according to VOSA’s new ‘Traffic Light” enforcement scheme. So how did it go?…

Consultant’s Casebook – Eamonn Loney brings us some more tips on how to avoid the dreaded ‘interview under caution’ from VOSA…

ATL ‘grandfather’ rights – It may be necessary to install one man Testing lanes at all Testing Stations within a few years, but what if your premises don’t measure up? …

Workshop Wisdom: – Diagnostics – All you could wish to know, from a review of the recent GEA/Aftermarket Technical Workshop, an introduction by Peter Coombes…

MOT Testing Product Review – … and finally, a roundup of diagnostic kit from 14 leading manufacturers.

MOT Petition -
Response from
No. 10 received

Earlier this year, after hearing of a government proposal to put back aT vehicle's first MOT test to 4 years, and then to Test only every two years instead of every year, a petition was posted on the government's new e-petition website.

The petition asserted that the move would have a serious and dangerous effect on road safety, and further, would in the end cost motorists more money in increased service and insurance costs.

The petition was set to end on the 9th April, and the following response has been received from No. 10:

"The proposal to reduce MOT frequency was initiated by the Davidson Review Team and the Better Regulation Commission whose purpose is to look at the implementation of EU law in the UK, and the legislative burden on UK businesses.
The Department for Transport will shortly launch a public consultation on whether the UK should move away from its current pattern of testing. Those with an interest will be able to comment on whether or not the EC minimum frequency of testing would be more appropriate for the UK, and provide any evidence to support their views. One area for close consideration is that of road safety, which will be addressed in the consultation process.
No decisions will be taken on the issue of the frequency of MOT testing until we have had the opportunity to fully consider all the responses to the consultation later in the year".

Proposed MOT changes will cause more death and injury on the roads!