Introduced in 1960, The Ministry of Transport (MOT) test is an annual test of car safety and roadworthiness. The Ministry of Transport has since changed its name to Department of Transport, however, the MOT test has retained its old name.
MOT test certificates are issued in Great Britain by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VSOA), an agency within the Department for Transport. Certificates in Northern Ireland are issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).
Many car repair garages throughout the UK are authorised to perform testing and to issue certificates. In Northern Ireland, tests are performed at special DVA Test Centres.
Of 18,300 testing stations, approx. 12,000 are independent garages who rely heavily on MOT income. They average 1,421 tests a year generating £70,000 income. There are 50,000 individual testers employed in the UK. Average t/o for a typical independent garage is approx. £175k with 3 technicians.
As of 2006, the MOT applies to cars over 3 years old.
Test price: £54 for cars and light vans.
Approx. 26 million testable cars/lcv’s each year. However, 29% of cars fail the test – 7.8 million defective vehicles. Of those failures, 14.9 per cent relate to defective lights, 11 per cent steering faults, 10% brakes and 8% on tyres.
The result of each MOT check is recorded- if the vehicle passes a VT20 ‘pass’ certificate is issued. If the vehicle fails to meet the required standard a VT30 ‘failure’ document is issued.
Failure to produce an MOT certificate results in a maximum fine of £1,000. Around a quarter of people forget to renew their MOT each year, with nearly a third of those more than 1 month late.
Feb 2007, the Government introduced a consultative document to introduce plans that Motorists will only have to MOT their cars every two years. The proposals also mean the first MOT will only happen after four years - not three - as at present.Ministers believe that modern technology means cars don't need to be certified every year. Critics point out that with nearly 30 per cent of cars failing the current annual checks, more than half the cars on the road could be unfit to drive with tests every two years. The proposal is not yet enshrined in law and still under consultation.
