Government pushes ‘better service’, keeps MOT frequency

The government is aiming to lead garages to make improvements in customer service in “a package of transparency and value-for-money measures” unveiled today by transport secretary Justine Greening. According to a statement released by the department, an evaluation of existing MOT test standards and frequency took account of the views and evidence offered by a wide range of organisations.

In particular, it considered data from Department for Transport executive agency VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) showing that more than a quarter (27.7 per cent) of vehicles tested in 2010-2011 had one or more car defects that were either missed by MOT test centres or incorrectly assessed. The VOSA data also showed that the roadworthiness of one-in-eight cars (12.4 per cent) was being incorrectly assessed by MOT test centres.

As a result, the government reports that it will work with industry, motoring organisations and consumer groups to focus on the reliability and standards of garages.

In summary the government has decided to:

• Retain the existing rules on MOT test frequency as evidence shows that vehicle defects are “being missed and roadworthiness mis-assessed.”
• Focus on the performance of MOT testing stations by releasing hitherto unpublished VOSA survey data on whether the sector is complying with test standards.
• Encourage the take up of industry codes of practice – and expand them to include MOT testing – so that customers can find garages signed up to schemes delivering the highest standards and take action if they have not received the service they expect.
• Help motorists to spot “clocked” second hand vehicles, by changing MOT certificates so that they carry the last three years’ mileage information as well as the mileage on the day of the test, and encourage car buyers to check full MOT histories using the online MOT database.
• Arrange “mystery shopper” tests to help improve performance in addition to those already carried out by VOSA.

Related news:

• Industry welcomes government u-turn on MOT frequency

• “Scrapping annual MOTs could cost 50,000 jobs” – Pro-MOTe

• IAAF annoyed by lack of MOT details in latest government plans

• MPs face MOT opposition