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MOT Computerisation

b. If you are a member of the Public

Work is currently underway to computerise the paperwork related to the MOT Testing Scheme. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is carrying out the work in partnership with Siemens Business Services.

Why does the system need to be changed?

Because we need:

To improve testing standards
  • by providing accurate, up-to-date information for the MOT Testing Stations
  • by collecting better information
  • by monitoring test standards more closely
  • by improving the quality of MOT documents
To reduce theft and fraud associated with MOT certificates
  • by closer monitoring
  • by tighter control of certificates
  • by reducing dependence on paper certificates
To improve administration
  • by passing information to and from garages electronically
  • by automatically collecting and updating information
  • by providing electronic ordering and payment systems
  • by improving the way records are kept
To improve consumer protection and confidence in the MOT test
  • by ensuring more consistent standards
  • by enabling the general public to check if a vehicle passed or failed an MOT
  • by improving protection and making it easier to detect fraud

What will it involve?

All 18,500 MOT Testing Stations will be provided with PCs, monitors and printers They will be connected to a central database of vehicle information, test results and details of authorised examiners and testers. Access to the system will be for authorised users via electronic smart cards and a password.


When?

The MOT Computerisation software is currently being tested in garages around the country. Feedback has been positive, particularly from the most recent set of trials and changes are being made to further improve the system. Once the final round of trials has been completed early in 2005 we will begin to rollout the system to all 18,500 MOT testing stations. This rollout to garages will take approximately 6 months. In the future, if your car is MOT'd at a garage which has been connected to the system you will be given a new style MOT Certificate and an information leaflet explaining the changes and the benefits to motorists of the new computerised MOT scheme.

So what does this mean to you..?

a. If you are an MOT Testing Station

You will receive a PC, monitor, and printer free of charge in late 2004. Training will be carried out by Siemens on the day your equipment is installed. Your gas analyser (not required for the motorcycle test) will also be fitted with a Smart Card reader.

The MOT certificates currently in use will be destroyed and you will be issued with new style certificates, failure notices, advisory notices and checklists (there will be a separate checklist for motorcycles).

From the day of installation you will no longer have to:

  • fill in a VT12 (test register)
  • apply for a VT26 (list of approved testers)
  • hand write a certificate, failure notice or advisory (unless the system is not available), the system will fill in the details for you
  • remember calibration or refresher training dates, the system will automatically remind you of these.

You will be able to:

  • receive Manual, Guides and Special Notices on-line
  • order pads and training and make payments via the system
  • ask VOSA questions via the system
  • receive information specific to particular vehicles
  • check your Testing Station performance against national averages
  • print reports
  • issue duplicate certificates, regardless of where the vehicle has been tested

b. If you are a member of the Public

You will not notice any difference when you take your vehicle for a test, except that the MOT certificate will be in a new format. However, the details of the test will be recorded on the database at the same time as your documents are produced.

For motorists the main feature of the new system is that you can check the MOT status and test history of any vehicle that you own, or are considering buying. You will be able to do this either by calling an enquiry number or by visiting a website. If you are buying a vehicle, you will need the current owners permission.

If there is any doubt about the validity of your test certificate, the system will provide you with certain key details of information including recorded mileage and any advisory items found at the time of the MOT test.

The facility to check the MOT history of the vehicle will provide full test details for all the tests undertaken on the vehicle since the system was computerised. We hope that this will encourage motorists to obtain the test history of vehicles before buying so they can make a more informed judgement.

Any further queries about MOT Computerisation? Call our MOT Enquiry Line on 0845 600 5977 (calls charged at local rate)



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