Complex Cars – Outdated MOTs

MOT inspections are getting increasingly complicated for Testers, and may get worse into the future.

In a recent article about the new jacking beams with greater load carrying capacity, and wider bridging capability required by 1st April, I came across a DVSA document which cited over 70 vehicles which had specific design idiosyncrasies which required a significant departure from the normal MOT Testing procedures listed in the Tester’s Manual – historically the MOT Testers’ ‘bible’. These ranged from different complex procedure to test vehicle’s parking brakes, to finding a concealed, bonnet release, or even having to dismantle something to reach a bonnet release handle – and then the bonnet needed propping up or held up for the Tester to examine testable items under the bonnet because the vehicle is not fitted with an appropriate bonnet stay! This all takes extra time (and hence money) for MOT garages – from looking it up online to determine the new procedure, to requiring an assistant to hold the bonnet up whilst examining the testable items. And these idiosyncratic deviations are increasing as vehicles become more complex with ever more sophisticated computerised systems many of which link directly to testable items. The question arises then as to why the DVSA who run the MOT scheme do not work directly with the car makers to ensure that the rules regarding the design of vehicles align with how they are MOT Tested. Surprisingly, and sadly, that does not happen! It seems that the DVSA are not even notified about such design items on vehicles which would affect the MOT inspection. As far as we can tell the DVSA often first find out when a Tester becomes confused when encountering such issues when the 3-year-old vehicle types with such features are first presented for MOT Testing.

Exploiting modern technology

As we all know the Government often goes on about exploiting modern technology – we are all told to use their websites to interact with Government departments. From the Department for Transport, the National Health Service, the Inland Revenue and so on. Yet DVSA seen to have been sort of left out in the cold. Vehicle manufacturers who want to sell a vehicle for use on UK roads must ensure that it complies with the Government’s legal requirements regarding safety, emissions and other issues before it can be registered for road use. These rules can be found in the following formal regulations:

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 

However, a strange quirk is that those regulations say nothing about designing the vehicle so that it can be properly examined when it comes to the annually required MOT inspection after the vehicle is three years old; and that can be a problem. The issue turns around the nature of the MOT inspection which historically is defined by what is called ‘The Tester’s Manual’ which is a very prescriptive document providing MOT Testers with strict ‘do this, do that’ and ‘do it this way – and that way’ instructions of how to conduct an MOT inspection; Testers must precisely follow the procedures specified in the Testers Manual, and no components can be dismantled during the Test. Yet increasingly modern vehicles have systems which cannot be properly examined during an MOT test without departing from the Manual’s prescriptive procedures. Nor can they dismantle something to access an item which must be inspected. As far as we can gather the car makers are under no obligation to either liaise with DVSA, or to inform them of changes to the design of their vehicles which could affect the way the vehicle is MOT Tested. Surely with modern computer technology these could easily be integrated into the online Testers’ Manual with the Tester must follow? OK, none of this is new and the DVSA have a specific procedure to notify Testers of significant changes to the usual Test. Such notifications are known as Special Notices – and generally over time they are incorporated into the Testers’ Manual. Yet there’s also another list of very specific changes to MOT test procedures which do not necessarily appear in a Special Notice. That list is found within the following DVSA document; Testing advice for cars and passenger vehicles: guidance for MOT testers – GOV.UK, Note, it is not in a Special Notice – so Testers will need to refer to that document – but how will they know until they are faced with that vehicle with an idiosyncratic parking brake, for example? That document lists over 70 vehicles with even more specific departures from the Testers’ Manual for different models – with, for example, sometimes up to nine extra specific different actions Testers must perform just to examine the electronic parking brake!

Wasting Testers’ time…

And of course a slightly more complex test, is one that may take longer – and cost more – to do it properly. We know DVSA do worry that this pressure can lead to a ‘race to the bottom’ – and that ‘cheap’ testing does not mean quality is at the top of the agenda. But why does this – and MOT fees keep being ignored by government? That despite the MOT fee being last increased on the 6th April 2010! It is estimated that depending on which version of inflation is used, that should now be between £80 to £90. There’s a good point to make here.

Of course, the test fee debate is a long-standing one – and one that will not be resolved here. It is safe to say that any government will be wary of increases of this order. But could those increases be contained if DVSA was now able to make the most of modern technology. It may be that AI is only there now but if the DVSA could take full advantage of modern IT and clever AI systems, they could probably significantly reduce the time taken to fully conduct an MOT inspection, including, more specifically the ‘look up’ time to discover what to do when facing an idiosyncratic feature on modern vehicles. Surely a fully modernised MOT computer could do even more. Let’s paint a picture of what such an MOT would look like. First, however, in 2010 at MOT Testing we published and article as to how a then futuristic MOT computerised system may look like in 2020 – have a look!

A future fantasy…MOT Testing As Imagined in 2010! | News | motester.co.uk

A better MOT computer

In our experience the quickest and most effective way to conduct an MOT is when using an assistant who is as fully versed with the inspection process as the Tester – but is not necessarily a qualified Tester. The assistant can prompt the Tester for each stage of the inspection, and note the outcome called out by the Tester – and its even better if the Test lane is a drive-through facility. However, a high proportion of MOT garages do not have the space for that. Even so, MOT facilities are not all the same. Most use vehicle lifts to inspect MOT Testable items beneath the vehicle, others have an inspection pit. Due to space restrictions some garages need two separate lanes side by side. So, whilst the detailed requirements remain the same for every MOT check, the order for the different inspections may differ to ensure the most efficient use of the Tester’s time for differing Test Lane geometries. So wouldn’t it make sense for the Tester to configure a DVSA AI ap on his or her phone provided by the DVSA to best synchronise the inspections with voice calls to the Tester from the MOT computer to prompt each inspection, who can then respond verbally to the DVSA computer with the outcome of each inspection. We believe the DVSA have piloted such a system – and it was received really well. However, have DVSA been given the headroom to take that forward – it feels like it could be an investment that could avoid the MOT fees pressure getting even greater. However, at MOT Testing we have often thought that the DVSA is considered a ‘poor relation’ within the Department for Transport – so doesn’t get what it needs – particularly to spend on MOT!

So, what do you think? Whether you’re a motorist who needs and annual MOT, an MOT Tester or even a Testing Station owner. The MOT is owned by the Government, shouldn’t they make sure they have the latest and best computer systems to fully support motorists, Testing station owners and staff so each inspection can be done as effectively and efficiently as possible? There’s a wonderful irony here. Of all the products purchased by the general public, vehicles are becoming the most complex and computer dependent. Yet the computer and equipment used by Testing Stations to conduct an MOT inspection is antiquated in comparison.