MOT: Quick checks to do before having your test
DVSA chiefs have demanded garages follow new measures within months as part of an MOT test crackdown.
Starting in January, MOT testers who fail to keep up-to-date on their training requirements will face tougher checks from officials.
As well as completing a DVSA demonstration and the annual training, those hoping to be reinstated will also have to complete a full Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
This will look at whether any MOT tester not up to date on their training has a previous criminal record.
The DVSA has previously claimed the purpose of the basic check is to confirm a person’s identity and to check for any convictions.
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They stress the new DBS checks will help to “protect the integrity of the MOT scheme”.
Stuart James, chief executive of the Independent Garage Association has backed the DVSA’s new policy.
He explained: “It’s essential for MOT testers to understand the importance of staying current with their annual training.
“Failing to complete these requirements and subsequently encountering challenges with the DBS check may affect their eligibility for reinstatement as an MOT tester.
“The DVSA’s commitment to maintaining industry standards is clear, and it’s our hope that all testers will embrace this opportunity to continue providing a high-quality service to the public.”
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However, the new changes could play a vital role in protecting the public from being scammed.
MOT fraud is a concern among the industry with ghost certificates sometimes handed out to dodgy cars.
This is when someone gives a car an MOT pass certificate that has not undergone a test which could catch out potential buyers.
A fake MOT test can be dangerous as it does not provide a proper assessment of a vehicle’s safety, possibly posing a risk to the driver and passengers.
False tests can also conceal faults and defects which can cause harm to individuals in a crash.
Between 2021 and 2022, the DVSA counted a total of 1,324 fraudulent MOT tests.
Last year, officials from the group explained: “DVSA monitors the industry closely and acts on poor and fraudulent practice. This is through both proactive work and in response to reports from the public and official bodies.
“Increasingly, we are discovering cases where vehicles aren’t even entering a garage but still being issued pass certificates. This is allowing potentially dangerous vehicles to be driving on Britain’s roads.
“The latest technology and intelligence-based targeting allows us to track vehicle movements, meaning we know where vehicles are, and where they’re not. We can then compare this with MOT test data to ensure the right outcome.”
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