MOT Scheme Training

Since MOT Scheme Training was privatised there are three categories of services offered by training providers:

Basic MOT training: This is for applicants wishing to be Testers who have the requisite experience as vehicle technicians and the appropriate pre-qualifications required by DVSA.

CPD annual training and a Test: Three hours of annual ongoing Continuous Professional Development training required of Testers by DVSA, and training to take the annual mandatory test needed to continue Testing.

AE Training: MOT Management training required of AEs when formally taking on the responsibility for the operation of a Test Station.

It should be remembered that the overall responsibility for maintaining the quality of training, and setting that annual Tester exam lies with the three so-called, ‘Awarding Bodies’; the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) ABC Awards, and City and Guilds.

All training providers must be quality assured by one of these organisations before the DVSA would accept their training as meeting the requirements for their candidates to undergo a so called ‘observed test’ (VT8) by a DVSA Vehicle Examiner; after which, if successful, the candidate can work as a fully qualified MOT Tester.

Becoming a Tester

Before candidates attend a course to become a Tester they must have the appropriate technical qualifications required by DVSA, and have at least four years’ experience working as a vehicle technician. We have heard that some ‘less reputable’ training providers have accepted young lads for Tester training who haven’t had the required experience ie, have only worked week-ends, which only came to light after the VE checked prior to a VT8 Test.

AE Training

Here a person can become an AE, but must, within a set period of time, successfully complete an AE management course. The candidate has to learn a wide syllabus of subjects such as Health and Safety, legal issues, personnel matters, and of course management of MOT quality and more – and there’s a test at the end in which the candidate must score at least 80% to pass.

CPD and annual Test training

Whilst the two courses noted above are mandatory and required by all AEs and Testers, CPD training must be done, but Testers are put on trust that they’ve done it.

Although the actual requirement of what the three hours training should be about is set by DVSA, it can be entirely self-learning, with the Tester simply revising the subjects set by DVSA by reading up in the Testers Manual.

Nevertheless many training providers will take your Testers through the process, including the annual test which is set by the awarding bodies, should you prefer to have it done rather than expecting your Testers to take time out to do it themselves.

Always Check

If you are looking for a training provider, always ask who their Awarding Body is (All of the training companies listed in the following review are certified with one of the official awarding bodies), and make sure you are working with a legitimate organisation by checking. Important reminder: don’t send any of your staff for Tester Training unless you can prove he or she has that four years of experience, and is fully pre-qualified.

Finally, many training providers can also offer pre-qualification training to budding MOT Tester candidates.

Product Review – MOT Scheme Training Providers

ABC Awards

ABC Awards supports the MOT industry by working with the DVSA, trade and training centres for your entire MOT training and CPD needs.

Whether you are a current MOT tester or wish to train as a tester or Centre Manager, our dedicated MOT website has all the latest training requirements as well as access to the annual assessment. Our UK wide network of approved centres and membership bodies can provide all your MOT training needs regardless of whether you are looking for online or face-to-face support. In addition our team are here to help and guide you.”

Price: £35 all inclusive for the MOT Annual Assessment. Bulk prices are available for multiple purchases. Prices for qualifications vary.
Contact: Centre Support
Tel: 0115 854 1620
E-mail: centresupport@abcawards.co.uk
Web: mot.abcawards.co.uk

Autotech Recruit

Autotech Training, a specialist division of Autotech Recruit, offers a complete solution for all your MOT related training requirements. We provide DVSA standard training to individuals, franchised dealerships and independent garages, delivered by experienced industry experts.
Working with national awarding bodies such as the IMI and ABC Awards, we offer MOT Manager Training, MOT Annual Assessment and Training, VTS Compliance Audits (incorporates MOT Annual Training and Assessment of your MOT testers) and MOT Tester Training.
Autotech offer flexible dates – delivered at our site near Milton Keynes or bespoke in-house training at your premises – and convenient payment methods.

Price: MOT Manager Training – £399 plus VAT, MOT Annual Training and Assessment – £64.99 plus VAT (inclusive of assessment cost), VTS Compliance Audits – from £999 plus VAT, MOT Tester Training – from £1,300 plus VAT.
Contact: Mandla Ndhlovu, Head of Autotech Training
Tel: 01234 432985
Fax: 0871 5289720
E-mail: training@autotechrecruit.co.uk
Web: www.autotechrecruit.co.uk/training

Blackpool & The Fylde College

Blackpool & The Fylde College provides your MOT Training needs. Our 4 day Level 2 New MOT tester course is for those who holds a current level 3 qualification. Delivered by MOT testers in a live MOT centre at our Advanced Technology Centre in Blackpool. Our prices are around £575 with no VAT.

We can also offer Light vehicle inspection for technician who hold no formal Qualifications but have 4 years Experience. We also offer the the Level 3 Mot Centres Managers course over 2 days at just £350. All our courses run weekly throughout the year and we don’t charge VAT.

Price: MOT New tester £575, Light vehicle inspection 1 day £325,
Mot Centre Managers £350
Contact: Robert Oldale
Tel: 01253 504343
E-mail: info@blackpool.ac.uk
Web: www.blackpool.ac.uk

Cardiff and Vale College

At Cardiff and Vale College, we offer the following courses, which qualify you to become an MOT Tester and/or a MOT Test Centre Manager.

All courses are delivered in our new state-of-the-art Automotive Centre on Dumballs Road, Cardiff.
Price: • ATA Light Vehicle Inspection Technician Course – £550 – 2 days
• IMI Level 2 Award in MOT Tester (Classes 4&7) – £895 – 3 and a half days.
• IMI Level 3 in MOT Tester Centre Management – £450 – 2 days.
Contact: Melissa Thomas
Tel: 02920 250350
email: commercial@cavc.ac.uk

Fife College

Fife College can, they say, deliver first class MOT training and assessment from a modern training facility at Stenton Campus in Glenrothes.

The following MOT related training will provide the technical skills and expert knowledge you require To become an MOT Tester:

• MOT Nominated Tester Training (DVSA Classes 3, 4, 5 & 7)
• IMI Level 3 Accreditation LV Inspection (inc MOT NTT Access)
• MOT Centre Manager Training • MOT Tester Annual CPD Master Class

Fife College is also an approved Vehicle Test Station for the purpose of DVSA VT8 assessments with MOT Bay Hire and VT8 Assessment from £95.

Price: from £95 to £750
Contact: Stephen Ayton
Tel: 0344 248 0132
E-mail: sales@fife.ac.uk
Web: www.business.fife.ac.uk

GTG Training

At GTG Training, their accredited MOT Tester qualifications allow candidates to complete the DVSA final observed assessment, which enables them to become Nominated Testers.

They offer a huge range of automotive courses, including ATA Light Vehicle Inspection, MOT Annual Refresher Course (CPD), IMI Level 2 Award in MOT Tester (Classes 4 and 7) and IMI Level 3 in MOT Test Centre Management. To receive a 10% discount, simply quote ‘MOT Magazine’ when you book.

Price: IMI Level 2 Award in MOT Tester £695
IMI Level 3 in MOT Test Centre Management £400
ATA Light Vehicle Inspection £455
Contact: Jim Hendry
Tel: 0131 333 6833
Web: https://gtg.co.uk

LJM COMPLIANCE SOLUTIONS LTD

LJM Compliance Solutions claim to be the Midland’s leading MOT Training centre, offering quality training for the MOT Scheme, whose trainers have altogether over 75 years experience of DVSA Enforcement and training.

They claim to provide flexible training opportunities for all their courses at a newly built state-of-the-art workshop in Fauld Staffordshire.

They also provide MOT consultancy services offering site assessments, DVSA representations MOT refresher training as well as independent quality control checks, quality management changes and more. They also claim they are not a club and so don’t charge membership for their services.

Prices: Level 2 awards (classes 1 & 2, 4 & 7) – prices start from £695 + VAT, Level 3 Award in MOT Test Centre Management – price £495 + VAT, IMI Technician Accreditation – prices start from £395 + VAT, DVSA MOT Mandatory Training & Online Assessment packages start from £89 + VAT, class 3 & 5 Training & Assessment packages start from £99 + VAT.
Contact: Amy-Jane Pickering – Training Department
Tel: 01283 734427
E-mail: amy@ljmcompliancesolutions.co.uk
Web: www.ljmcompliancesolutions.co.uk

MOT Club

The MOT Club provide Classroom or eLearning based MOT Annual Training (CPD). The MOT Club say their eLearning application is the best on the market, developed from the ground up for MOT Testers, and that it’s extremely easy to use; with clear animation, video and voiceover making it interesting & informative.

Level 2 Award in MOT Testing & MOT Managers Training is delivered at their training venue or in conjunction with their training network by a skilled and experience team, all with many years in the trade. They say, “Let our experts help you become an expert yourself”.

Price: eLearning programme – £36 + VAT, MOT assessment £35 + VAT. Classroom CPD training £100 per person minimum class size of 5 people. Level 2 Award in MOT Testing & MOT Managers Training POA
Contact: John Ashton
Tel: 01934 421335
E-mail: enquiries@themotclub.com
Web: www.themotclub.com

MANTRA Learning

Mantra Learning is a specialist training provider for the logistics and automotive sector. To cope with the growth of hybrid vehicles they offer a tailored package of learning to reskill experienced technicians to become proficient in MOT Testing and managing MOT Testers for hybrid vehicles.

Motor Trade News stated that in 2016 there were just 1,000 UK technicians qualified to work on hybrid and electric cars and by 2018 only 1,000 more will qualify.

They have identified the Health & Safety issues in inspecting hybrid vehicles and their teaching focuses on giving technicians the confidence and knowledge to safely operate in their workshop.

Price: MOT Tester £750, MOT Manager £350, IMI Inspection Technician £95, Hybrid £370, IMI accredited Tyre Fitting course £135 and DVSA Annual MOT CPD £79. Prices shown are ex Vat and special offers are available occasionally.
Contact: Claire Wright
Tel: 0333 220 6646
E-mail: claire.w@mantralearning.co.uk
Web: www.mantralearning.co.uk

Prestige Training

“Got the experience? We have the training!” Claim Prestige Training; who say since 2016 they’ve successfully trained over 1,000 MOT testers & technicians with, they claim a 99% success rate including quick bookings, accommodation, payment plans, lunch, evenings & weekends and weekly VT8 demo’s.

With the team’s 100 +years expertise plus onsite training rooms, MOT bay & work shop all, “under one roof”, where they deliver a range of MOT training.

Choose from; NVQ’s, IMI Accreditation, MOT Tester training. Annual CPD (all classes), MOT Test Centre Management training, Hybrid Vehicle training, Refrigerant Handling training, Apprenticeships & tailored MOT Consultancy packages.

Price: CPD from £43.20, IMI Accreditation from £695, MOT Tester Training from £595, MOT Test Centre Management from £350, Hybrid Vehicle from £100, Refrigerant Handling from £195
Contact: One of the team
Tel: (0)1618489853
E-mail: info@trainingprestige.co.uk
Web: https://www.prestigemot.co.uk

S&B Automotive Academy

At S&B Automotive Academy we can provide the complete training package enabling you to become a registered MOT tester. Training will take place at our Academy in Bristol by experienced professionals. The courses we offer are:
• MOT New Tester (Class 4&7) • MOT New Tester (Class 1& 2) • Manager Award •Annual CPD – Face to Face (Including Assessment) • Annual CPD – Online (Including Assessment)

Prices: New Tester (4&7) – £975; New Tester (1&2) – £795, Manager Award – £575, Annual CPD – £129. Online CPD – £65
Contact: Richard Pope
Tel: 0117 953 3001
E-mail: enquiries@sandbaa.com
Web: www.sandbaa.com

Shrewsbury College Group

Currently Shrewsbury College Group trains over 150 technicians a year on MOT courses. They pride themselves on responding to company needs, providing high quality of training that has resulted in a growing reputation within the industry, which has seen their catchment area spread far beyond Shropshire.

Courses available:
Level 2 MOT Testers in classes 4&7, 3 and 5, Level 3 MOT Centre Manager, annual updates/CPD and annual assessment (with evidence to demonstrate when audited), plus for those technicians who do not hold the required Level 3 qualification to undertake the MOT Testers, a 1-3 day Level 3 Light Vehicle Inspection.

Prices: Please ask.
Contact: Course Advise
Tel: 01743 342333
E-mail: courseadvise@shrewsbury.ac.uk

South Devon College

This qualification is primarily developed for individuals who wish to enhance their career by qualifying as an MOT Tester. South Devon College is an IMI Approved Centre and is able to offer Level 2 MOT Testing Qualification Classes 1,2,4 and 7.

The content of this qualification has been designed to reflect the contents of the National Occupational Standards for MOT Testers. Once completed, applications can be made to undertake the DVSA final observed assessment in order to achieve a Certificate of Competence (CoC), allowing the opportunity to become a Nominated Tester.

Price: £920
Contact: Carly Drew
Tel: 01803540492 / 07720213428
E-mail: carlydrew@southdevon.ac.uk

TEN Automotive

TEN Automotive have their own Technical Training Centre offering a range of MOT Tester & MOT Management Courses. The IMI Accredited facility offers a modern approach to training without attendance at a College Campus or sitting in front of a PC for hours.

The ‘five bay’ workshop has modern MOT Equipment providing “hands on” Vehicle Testing experience; and there’s two interactive Training Rooms. Based in Kings Lynn, the courses currently available are:
Light Vehicle Inspection (2 day) MOT Tester (4 day) AE Management (2 day) MOT CPD(half day). Plus; Electric & Hybrid Safety Awareness & Technician Courses. Air Con F-gas Training

Price: On application
Contact: Head of Training- Richard Boughen
Tel: 01553 764900
Fax: 01553 770002
E-mail: info@ten-automotive.co.uk
Web: https://www.ten-automotive.co.uk

This article originally appeared in MOT Testing Magazine