MOT test
More than 23,500 local car repair garages throughout England, Scotland and Wales, employing more than 65,800 testers, are authorised to perform testing and issue certificates.
[6] In principle, any individual in Great Britain can apply to run a MOT station, although in order to gain an authorisation from DVSA, both the individual wanting to run the station, as well as the premises, need to meet minimal criteria set out on the government's website, within the so-called VT01 form.
The MOT test was first introduced on a voluntary basis on 12 September 1960 under the direction of the-then Minister of Transport, Ernest Marples,[8][9] under powers in the Road Traffic Act 1956.
[9] In 1962, the first commercial vehicle exam was created and a valid certificate was required in order to receive a tax disc, and in April 1967, the testable age for a MOT was reduced to three years.
On 1 January 1983, the testable age for ambulances, taxis and vehicles with more than eight passenger seats (excluding the driver's) was reduced to one year.
[10] Most recently, it was suggested[11] by former Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, that the MOT again move to a biennial check, to help motorists save money as a result of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
However, driving a vehicle which is in a dangerous condition on a public road is always illegal, irrespective of its test status.
[16] In Great Britain MOT testing centres are regulated and licensed by the Department and Transport and DVSA for the purpose, and the individual testers carrying out the inspections also have to be trained and certified.
When a vehicle fails the MOT test it can be re-tested within the end of ten working days to gain a pass.
If it is removed from the premises for repair and then returned before the end of ten working days it can have a retest at half the original fee paid.
If the failed vehicle is taken away but then brought back to the same test station and retested before the end of the next working day on one or more of the following items only then no fee is charged for a retest: Bonnet, horn, sharp edges, boot lid, lamps, steering wheel, brake pedal anti-slip, loading door, tailboard, direction indicators, mirrors, tailgate, doors rear reflectors, VIN, drop sides, registration plates, windscreen and glass, fuel filler cap, seat belts, wipers and washers, hazard warning, seats, wheels and tyres.
Test stations and the DVSA's website provide full and up-to-date information regarding MOT re-tests.
Motorists who recently had a vehicle MOT tested and disagree with the outcome of the inspection are entitled to an appeal against the decision.
Failure because of items easily replaceable, such as tyres or windscreen wiper blades, may not be appealed against, as it cannot be adequately determined if they were the ones fitted at the time of inspection.
This can range from penalty points being issued for minor infringements, to the station's MOT licence being rescinded for more major violations.
DVSA/DVA has only the power to discipline the station involved and cannot pursue compensation of any kind for the complainant; that is the responsibility of Trading Standards.
A MOT station cannot be held responsible for defects that occur to the vehicle several months after the test was conducted.
[23] It also saw the introduction in Great Britain of 'receipt style' plain paper certificates that serve as a notification that a 'pass' entry has been recorded on the DVSA database.
From 20 May 2018, the way that the MOT test works in England, Scotland and Wales changed to comply with EU Directive 2014/45.
[25] From 1 October 2019, the way that the MOT test worked in England, Scotland and Wales changed to comply with the new connected equipment legislation.
[30] Emissions tests on diesel cars have not been carried out during MOTs in Northern Ireland since 2006, despite being a legal requirement.
