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MMOOTTMATTERS
OFTESTING
MATTERSOF TEST
ING
MAY 2011
ISSUE 50
MAY 2011
ISSUE 50
Free for authorised examiners
and testers
Keep yourself up to dateChanges to the MOT test
Insidethisissue..
.
Braking
awaypage5
Changes
tothe
MOTtestpage6
Spotlight
onMOT
seminars2011
page12
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From the editorAfter travelling the length and breadth
of the country to deliver this years
round of MOT seminars (on top of our day
jobs), were taking a deep breath before
gearing up for our next adventure.
The seminars have proved their value
yet again, giving us the chance to keep
you updated about forthcoming changes
and challenges to the MOT test, and
giving you the chance to tell us whats
on your minds.
The question at the very top of your
agenda this year was Why isnt VOSA
supporting a fixed MOT fee or opposing
changes to the frequency of MOT
testing? Well, on page 12 we explain our
position on both of these matters, as well
as giving the answers to a few of the
other popular questions put to us.
Youll also discover that this issue of
Matters of Testing is arranged a little
differently than usual, as weve given
over several pages to a review of some
of the changes coming to the MOT test
as a result of the European Commission
Testing Directive with more to come in
future issues!
Keep up to date with Matters of Testing.
Jessie VanBeck
Keep your comments, rants,opinions and ideas coming in to:
The EditorMatters of TestingVOSA, Berkeley HouseCroydon StreetBristol BS5 0DA
or email:
You can view this magazine, alongwith previous issues, as a PDF on theVOSA website:www.vosa.gov.uk/matters-of-testing
Contents 3 Ask Stevo
Stevo talks you through the site
assessment process
4 NewsMOT test review, Motorcycle MOT test
refresher training, Class 5L training
and Nominated Tester Training
Assessment
5 Bikes, trikes and quadsBraking away hydraulic parking brakes
no longer acceptable for quad bikes
6 Changes to the MOT testA look at how the European Commission
Testing Directive will affect MOT testing
in the years ahead
11 Horror storyShake it all about; ropey brakes
12 Spotlight on
MOT seminars a round-up of this
years events
13 The knowledgeTaking a closer look at spring
assisters and using VSI
14 T-brakeTest your thinking with a teaser
4
6
13
Your MoT team
Editorial Team
Jessie VanBeck, Ian Marsh,Alan Wilson, John Stephenson,Andy Cattell
MOT Team
John Corcoran, Shaun Martin,Dougie Brandon, Steve Kendall,
Mark Bennett, Russell Hall
Distribution
If you have any problems with
or queries about distribution,
please contact the editor at
Produced by COI on behalf
of VOSA (ref 405742) on
50% recycled paper.
Editorial office
VOSA, 2nd Floor, Berkeley House,
Croydon Street, Bristol BS5 0DA
While great care has been taken
to ensure accuracy, VOSA and
the editorial team cannot accept
responsibility for errors or omissions.
The content of this publication
should not be reproducedwithout the consent of the editor.
mailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Editorhttp://www.vosa.gov.uk/matters-of-testinghttp://www.vosa.gov.uk/matters-of-testinghttp://www.vosa.gov.uk/matters-of-testingmailto:[email protected]://www.vosa.gov.uk/matters-of-testingmailto:[email protected]?subject=The%20Editormailto:[email protected]8/13/2019 MoT - Issue 50 - May 2011
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OPINIONAskStevo
Siteassessments
You ask:As a busy test station carrying out a considerable
number of MOT tests each day, we find that the VOSA site
assessment usually disrupts our planned working day. Why cant
site assessments be carried out by appointment?
Stevo says:Site assessments are VOSAs way ofgauging the normal day-to-day operation of a testingstation. The assessment uses a standard set ofquestions to ensure a consistent approach, and theresults help us to direct our resources more effectivelytowards sites at higher risk of non-compliance.
If we were to make appointments, examiners andtesters would be able to prepare for our visit and theconditions would not reflect the normal day-to-dayoperation of the site. We really dont need you to puton a special show for us we recognise that you arerunning a business, which is why (wherever possible)we try to minimise the disruption by discussing ourrequirements with you and your staff at the start ofthe visit.
On occasion, we can conduct as much of theassessment as is possible at the time and arrangeto return at a more convenient time to complete it but in these circumstances, any results from theinitial visit will stand.
You can take steps to minimise the impact of avisit by making sure that youre familiar with thesite assessment requirements and that thedocuments the VOSA examiner might needto see are easy to find.
Any of you who attended seminars earlier this yearwill already know that we have trialled and revieweda revised site assessment. The revised process will berolled out from the beginning of June and will containnew questions based on the show me rather thantell me principle. We have also trimmed down thenumber of questions, which should help to reducethe time needed to complete a site assessment.
Keep yourself up to date with site assessments atwww.businesslink.gov.uk/vtsselfassessment
John Stephenson heads up the MOT Complianceteam and has a wealth of knowledge andexperience in all aspects of the MOT scheme.
Send your comments, queries and views onthe MOT to [email protected] Ask Stevo as the subject.
MOT test enquiries can be made through our contact centre: 0300 123 9000 Matters of Testing | 3
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/vtsselfassessmentmailto:[email protected]?subject=Ask%20Stevomailto:[email protected]?subject=Ask%20Stevohttp://www.businesslink.gov.uk/vtsselfassessment8/13/2019 MoT - Issue 50 - May 2011
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NEWS
MOT test reviewThe Department for Transport
(DfT) commissioned research
from Transport Research
Laboratory to look at the likely
impact of changing the frequency
of the MOT test on accident and
casualty rates. Transport
Secretary Philip Hammond says:
Car technology has come a long
way since the 1960s when our
MOT regime was introduced.
Thats why we think its right to
look again to check whether we
still have the right balance of MOT
testing for modern vehicles.
Further information on any
consultation about a review of
MOT testing frequency will be
published by DfT and in future
editions of Matters of Testing.
DfT is looking to work with the
industry and motorists to get
the decision absolutely right.
Visit www.trl.co.ukto download the Transport Research Laboratory report Effect of vehicle defects inroad accidents. Search under the reference PPR565 to find the report.
Refresh your motorcycleMOT testerApril saw the activation of theautomated VTS Device lock-out oftesters who are overdue for theirmotorcycle refresher training which brought them in line withtesters of all other classes.Motorcycle testers will now get180-day and 30-day warnings viathe VTS Device. Testers needingrefresher training are reminded to
book early via the VTS Device.Leaving it to the last minute maymean having to travel to a lessconvenient venue to attend thetraining in order to avoid beinglocked out.
Call the VOSA contact centre on 0300 123 9000 for furtherinformation about MOT training courses.
Class 5L trainingIf youve been keeping up with the
news, youll already be aware that
last July we began to trial a different
method of training Class 4 and 7
testers to test the additional
Class 5L. This consists of on-site
training followed by a written
assessment and a practical
demonstration test by the
candidate, and has resulted in
immediate activation for
the vast majority of
cases of testers
for Class 5L.
At the time
of going to
print, over
180 testers
have been processed via this route.
After some extremely
positive reviews, we
are now in the
process of
evaluating the trial
so watch this space!
Nominated Tester Training AssessmentBack in the early 1990s, the
Nominated Tester Training
Assessment (NTTA) was designed
as an interim measure to allow
prospective MOT testers without
industry qualifications to
demonstrate their knowledge of
motor vehicle technology. Take-up
started at around 200300
applicants via this route each
year, but has now reached
unmanageable proportions. These
days, around 1,500 candidates
apply for the NTTA each year, of
whom an average of 45% fail.
So, VOSA is taking a fresh look at
the route to becoming a tester,
to make sure that applicants
have the necessary skills and
experience.
4 | MOT computerisation enquiries can now be made through the VOSA service desk: 0845 071 1973
http://www.trl.co.uk/http://www.trl.co.uk/http://www.trl.co.uk/8/13/2019 MoT - Issue 50 - May 2011
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BIKES, TRIKES AND QUADS
Braking away
British law specifically the Construction and Use Regulations requires that
vehicles are parked using a brake applied by mechanical means. Parking brakes
that rely on hydraulic stored energy are not permitted, but because some
all-terrain vehicle quads were EU type-approved, they were accepted at MOT
test unless they were proven as unsafe.Most parking brake mechanismsuse mechanical components suchas cables and heavy duty springs.There are some concerns thatbrakes using stored hydraulicpressure are at risk of fluidseepage, leading to systempressure loss and release of theparking brake resulting in thevehicle rolling away.
Going downhill
The Department for Transportinstructed the Vehicle CertificationAgency responsible for typeapproval to investigate the safetyof these hydraulic parking brakesystems. Their findings, supportedby independent TransportResearch Laboratory testing, haveestablished that these systems docarry a risk. During tests of fourvehicles fitted with hydraulicbraking systems, three rolled away
after having been parked on anincline. The fourth vehicle showeda pressure loss in the parkingbrake system, indicating that thesystem would eventually fail.
As you will have read in SpecialNotice 2-2011, VOSA iswithdrawing the temporaryexemption introduced inSN 8-2006 that allowed these
braking systems a pass at MOTtest. From 1 June 2011, quadbikes relying entirely on hydraulicbraking systems must be failedat MOT test.
Communicating
the changeVOSA has written to all knownmanufacturers and importers ofquads fitted with hydraulic parkingbrakes to advise them to recallthese vehicles for re-working.All current registered keepers ofquads have also been written to,to alert them of the potentialsafety risk.
Owners wishing to register a quadthat has a hydraulic parking brakewith the DVLA will be refused.The DVLA will not acceptregistration until the vehicle hasbeen re-worked with a mechanicalbrake and has been certified byVOSA under the Motorcycle SingleVehicle Approval scheme.
Going mechanical
Special Notices issued in 2006and 2008 asked MOT test stationstaff to advise owners of quadswith hydraulic parking brakes thata mechanical brake could be
MOT test enquiries can be made through our contact centre: 0300 123 9000 Matters of Testing | 5
required in the future. Now thatall road-going quads must havemechanical parking brakesinstalled, owners should bereferred to the manufacturer orimporter of their particular machinefor advice.
If a quad is fitted with both ahydraulic parking brake anda transmission lock (onautomatic-type transmissions),then the transmission lock counts
as a mechanical parking brakeand the vehicle should pass atMOT test. Owners of such vehiclesshould be advised to disable thehydraulic locking mechanism inorder to prevent future ownersfrom relying on hydraulic pressureto hold the vehicle.
It is possible that some quadowners affected by this changehave managed to slip through the
communications net, in whichcase they are not likely to beimpressed when their quad isfailed at its next MOT test. Pleaseadvise these customers to call ourcontact centre on 0300 123 9000,where a member of staff willexplain the circumstances to them.
However, if you have any quadson your books, why not take the
initiative and contact the ownerbefore they bring it in for an MOTtest, to make sure theyre awareof the change in requirements fortheir vehicle?
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FEATURE
Changes to the MOT test
Back in 2009, the European Commission introduced a Directive to standardise
vehicle testing across member states. Over the last two years, VOSA has been
working to find practical ways to build these changes into the annual test while
keeping the burden on the trade to a minimum. Here, weve summarised justsome of the changes occurring under the Brakes and Steering sections of the
MOT inspection manual. Well provide information on more of the changes in
future issues of Matters of Testing.
It was clear from the start thatbuilding the terms of the EuropeanCommission Testing Directive intothe MOT test was always going tolead to some additional burden ontesting stations and the motorist.To keep this burden to a minimum,the team at VOSA put togethersome key principles to bear inmind when delivering the change:
keep to a minimum any increasein the time it takes to completethe MOT test
keep to a minimum any need foradditional test equipment
6 | MOT computerisation enquiries can now be made through the VOSA service desk: 0845 071 1973
keep to a minimum the need totest any additional items on anygiven class of vehicle.
The minimum requirements for anMOT test or Periodic TechnicalInspection, as they say on thecontinent have long beenenshrined in European law. Everymember state of the EuropeanUnion has an equivalent of theMOT test, and the new standardsapply to everyone. The legislationapplies to trucks, buses, cars and
light goods vehicles, but not tomotorcycles.
A number of compulsory newtestable items will be introduced,mainly as a result of all theelectronic safety systems fittedto modern vehicles. Most of thechanges must be brought inby the end of 2011, althoughsome such as the requirementsaround brake efficiency andimbalance will be delayed until
September 2013.
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FEATURE
Changes to the MOTinspection manualSection 2 (Steering)
MOT test enquiries can be made through our contact centre: 0300 123 9000 Matters of Testing | 7
Steering control
The law requires that vehicles arefitted with some sort of anti-theftmechanism as minimum securityprotection. Commonly, this isachieved by use of steering locks,transmission locks or gearshiftlocks. Where a steering lockmechanism is fitted as standard,testers must now check if one ispresent and operational.
Steering system
Before the days of MOTComputerisation, many testersincorrectly failed steering andsuspension ball joints if the dustcover was split or missing. Well,thanks to the Directive, these itemswill be included in the test so if aball joint dust cover is missing orno longer keeps the dirt out,testers will be able to correctlyfail the vehicle.
Sub-section 2.2D covers thesteering lock-to-lock check, andwill now also cover any significantoil leaks from the steering box andwhether any fitted as standardsteering lock stops are missing.This is more likely to affect those ofyou testing larger Class 5 vehicles,
as not too many light vehicles arefitted with external lock stops.
More changes to Class 5 testingwill be covered in a later editionof Matters of Testing, so watchthis space!
Power steering
Checks to power steering will nowinclude a check of the fluid level.But because there is no need toremove the reservoir cap, thecheck will only apply where thefluid level is visible in the reservoir.
Any inappropriate repair ormodification to a power steering
component will result in a failure so a pair of tights in place of thedrive belt will not be acceptable!The serious misalignment orfouling of power steeringcomponents is also an RfR.
The inspection of fluid pipes fordamage and fouling will now alsoinclude excessive corrosion.
If a malfunction indicator lamp fitted to warn the driver of aproblem with electronic powersteering is illuminated, indicatinga failure in the system,this will bean RfR.
Suspension, wheel bearingsand drive shafts
Testers should be careful toconsider the guidance in theinformation column and theintroduction section of the MOTinspection manual before rejectingany modified or repairedsuspension components. But tomake life easier, the team at VOSAhas replaced all the RfRs forunacceptable repairs with asingle RfR.
You are already checking all front
drive shafts and those at the rearthat form part of the suspension.As a result of the Directive, you willalso have to check, where fitted,support bearings for excessivewear, and drive shaft innercoupling gaiters that are missing.The RfR for gaiters has also beenchanged to cover all aspects ofthe gaiter failing to keep the dirtout. Front to rear propshafts stillremain outside the scope of
the test.
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FEAFEATURETURE
8 | MOT computerisation enquiries can now be made through the VOSA service desk: 0845 071 1973
Some forthcoming changes
to the MOT testThis diagram shows you some of the changes that
VOSA proposes to make to the MOT test in 2012.
Continuity of towbar 13 pinelectric socket Inappropriate towbar repairs
or modifications
Gas leak detection spray toconfirm the existence of a leak
Rear passenger doors openingAll door hinges, catches and
pillars
Catalytic converter missing
Inappropriate brake systemrepairs or modifications
Defective ABS or ESCcomponents
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9/16MOT test enquiries can be made through our contact centre: 0300 123 9000 Matters of Testing | 9
FEATURE
Front and rear lights single operation Main beam warning light Steering lock mechanism Illumination of malfunction indicator
light (MIL) for electronic power
steering, electronic stability control,electronic park brake control, brake
fluid warning lamp, tyre pressuremonitoring system and air bag/
pre-tensioner
Drivers seat adjustment Speedometer
Headlamp cleaning andself-levelling if high-intensity
discharge (HID) lamps arefitted
Products on the lens thatreduce light output
Steering joint dust covers Inappropriate steering repairs
or modifications
Steering lock stops Steering box oil leakage Inappropriate suspension
repairs or modifications
Drive shaft support bearingsand coupling gaiters
Battery and wiring Power steering oil level Damaged or corroded power
steering pipes or hose
Engine mountings
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FEATURE
Changes to the MOT test
(continued)
Changes to the MOT inspection manual Section 3 (Brakes)
10 | MOT computerisation enquiries can now be made through the VOSA service desk: 0845 071 1973
Parking brake levermechanism andassociated mountings
Electronic parking brake (EPB)controls have been added to thissection, and testers will have tomake sure that all parking brakecontrols have not beeninappropriately repaired ormodified. The team at VOSA hasdefined this as when the repair isobviously likely to adversely affectthe roadworthiness of the vehicleor if any modification has seriouslyweakened the component. If thevehicle is fitted with an EPB,
testers must also check that theEPB warning lamp does notindicate a fault.
Service brake control
As before, testers will be askedto check that the control has notbeen inappropriately repairedor modified.
Anti-lock braking systems
Also included under this sectionare checks to any electronicstability control (ESC) systemfitted called variously ESC,Electronic Stability Programme(ESP), Dynamic Stability Control(DSC), etc. To take account of theadditional item, the section hasbeen renamed Anti-lock Brakingand Electronic Stability ControlSystems.
The new checks will cover thecondition of ABS/ESCcomponents (which are generally
common to both systems),electrical wiring, the ESC switch,and the presence and operationof the ESC malfunction indicatorlamp.
Mechanical brakecomponents
Additional checks of the security ofbrake cables, rods and joints mustbe made and testers should failany mechanical brake componentif it has been inappropriatelyrepaired or modified. The conditionand operation of brake slackadjusters usually only fitted to
very large vehicles with air brakingsystems should also be checked.
Braking systems andadditional braking devices
To avoid the repetition of certainchecks that apply to a number ofsub-sections, the team at VOSAhas changed the title of sub-section 3.6A of the inspectionmanual from Leaks to All BrakingSystems. Leaks will still be partof this sub-section, but checkson the security, condition and
operation of braking systemcomponents have been added.Checks for inappropriate repairsor modifications to braking systemcomponents will also be included.
As well as brake valves, sub-section 3.6E will contain additionalchecks on load-sensing valves.Originally only checking thelinkage, testers will now need tocheck if the valve itself is also:
seized or inoperative
defective so that its functionis impaired
incorrectly adjusted.
Testers already check the brakefluid level but the brake fluidwarning lamp being illuminated orinoperative will be a new RfR.
Brake performance
Another new RfR coming in atthe end of 2011 is if, during adecelerometer test, the vehicledeviates from a straight line whenthe parking brake is applied.
These are just a few of thechanges that will beintroduced as a result of theEuropean CommissionTesting Directive keepreading Matters of Testingtostay up to date with changesto the Brakes and Steering
and other sections of theinspection manual.
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YOU TELL US
HorrorStoryTwotalesoftorment
Shake it all aboutThe first of our horror stories comes from Neil andPaul Gleave of E Maund and Sons at the High StreetGarage in Wem, Shropshire. Its the upper arm on aP reg Hiace van not photographs this time, but avideo clip sent by iPhone. Video clips are not alwaysthat clear, but our IT bods (we do have some!) haveisolated a couple of stills which show the extent ofmovement. If you look closely, you can see that inFig.1 there is hardly any gap between the upper armand the wheel rim, while in Fig. 2 it is quite evident.You can also see the gap around the ball joint itself.
Neil and Paul were able to show this just byshaking the wheel manually and to prove a point it promptly fell apart when jacked. Cant get muchmore worn than that! Its quite relevant that the balljoint boot is practically non-existent. This may havehelped to accelerate wear in the ball joint. Weve been
asked many times if the boots are testable. Well, ifyou attended an MOT seminar this year, youll knowthat they will be when the new European CommissionTesting Directive is implemented next year. Well keepyou posted in the usual way.
Ropey brakesOur second story is from John Rowan of SpringbankService Station in the lowlands of Scotland. Unusual
place to stow the tow rope, isnt it?! A costly one,too, as its destroyed the CV boot and more thanlikely had a hand in the ropey brakes caused byfluid leak from the flexi.
The tow hook must have made a bit of noise, as mustthe worn ball joint in the first horror story. But asusual the drivers were blissfully unaware until theMOT test, that is!
Have you got a horror story to tell? Send your photos and ghastly tales to the postal address at the
front of the magazine or by email to [email protected] the subject Horror Story.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
MOT test enquiries can be made through our contact centre: 0300 123 9000 Matters of Testing | 11
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HOT TIPS
The knowledge
Spring assisters andbump stopsQuite a few van manufacturers usespring assisters to support thebase spring, especially on modelswhich have low load heights or areusually run full or part loaded.Typical examples include motorhomes, which use the basicchassis/cab with quite a heavy
body, and vehicles such as thetool van, which always have a fairamount of heavy stock on board.
Spring assisters are usually eitherextra leaves (more common toheavy goods vehicles) or rubber/polyurethane cones also knownas Aeon springs (more commonon the types of vans we see forMOT testing). Both types act bystiffening the suspension oncedeflection of the base springreaches a certain point, affordingmaximum comfort whether thevehicle is empty or loaded.
On vans, the preferred method is
to use a rubber cone, which keepsunladen weight down and allows a
low load height. These cones looklike oversized rubber bump stops
but work in a different way. Thecentre of the cone is hollow (see
Fig. 1) and when the suspensionoscillates, the rubber compresses
effectively dampening the springoscillation. The compression rate is
progressive until eventually at fullload the cone is fully compressed
and then acts as a bump stop.When the suspension rebounds,
the cone decompresses andre-forms to its natural shape.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
Because of their size and designcharacteristics, these cones maysit very close to or even on thebase spring (see Fig. 2), yet thesuspension appears to be in itsnormal running position. This is, infact, a design feature but sometesters interpret it as a failure underIM 2.4A1: inadequate clearancebetween bump stop and chassis
or a suspension unit so weak that
the body or other part of the
vehicle fouls a road wheel or would
do so if the vehicle was laden.Before failing a vehicle under thisRfR, testers should first determineif a spring assister is fitted, andwhether the suspension really isso weak that the body would foula road wheel.
Using Vehicle Specific
Information (VSI)When registering a vehicle for test,some makes and models appearnot to be on VSI. This is becauseVSI checks against how thevehicle is registered on the DVLAdatabase, not the manufacturerdatabases. The most commonexamples are vehicles registeredas MPV instead of estate (or viceversa) and manufacturers
registered as Jeep instead ofChrysler-Jeep. If you haveproblems finding the correctcategory for the vehicle you aretesting, exit and then reselect VSI.Although this means starting fromscratch, you should get all themakes and models you need.If you still cant find what you arelooking for, try the VOSA servicedesk on 0845 071 1973.
Watch this space for more information on recent changes to the inspection manual.View the MOT inspection manual online atwww.vosa.gov.uk/manuals-and-guides .
MOT test enquiries can be made through our contact centre: 0300 123 9000 Matters of Testing | 13
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T-BRAKET-BRAKE
60-secondINTERVIEWAndy Cattell is VOSAs Vehicle Standards Manager
and is in charge of making sure that the itemscovered by the UKs vehicle inspections comply
with the European Commissions directive on
vehicle testing.
How long have you been
working for VOSA?
Ive been here for 26 years
I started as a Vehicle Examiner,
then worked on various projects.
About three years ago I started
working on test standards for
trucks and buses. Then, sixmonths ago, MOT test standards
for smaller vehicles were built
into my remit, so that VOSA now
has one standards manager for all
vehicle inspections.
How challenging is it to makesure that our own technical
inspections for all vehicleclasses meet the standards
of the Testing Directive?
The real challenge is in making
sure that the standards written
in the legislation are translated
into practical solutions for testers.
But its also a real opportunity
to use processes that have been
tried and tested in one scheme
to benefit the other.
Whats the best part of the job?
Meeting front-line people at this
years MOT seminars I had to face
about 100 people to explain why
were putting ball joint dust covers
in the test but not propshafts.
If I cant explain it clearly so that
people can understand, I have tostart asking myself why Im doing
it in the first place.
and the worst?
Theres not enough time. Neverenough time!
How do you unwind at the endof the day?
Ive stopped taking the job home
with me its great to be able to
sit down with my wife and have
a conversation thats not about
my work.
On the job
14 | MOT computerisation enquiries can now be made through the VOSA service desk: 0845 071 1973
An enquiry recently received from Spain:
I live in the Alicante region of Spainand have a 30-foot American motorhome. The MOT certificate has run outand I need a new one to be able tocontinue to use it. My problem is thatto bring it back to England would beextremely expensive, fuel-wise, ataround 1,000 for the trip.Now, I realise it is not legally correct,but is there any way you could issueme with a certificate without seeing the
vehicle? I do not intend to drive it in theUK I just need to have the papers incase I am stopped here in Spain. I hadintended to import the vehicle, but thisis proving to be a little complicated andcould take up to a year, which leaves meunable to use it at the moment.
If you cannot help, do you know ofanother garage that might be able to?
All the best.
The gentleman even attached
contact details! Those of you
who attended the MOT seminars
earlier this year may recall that
the EU is considering mutual
recognition of test certificates
across member states at leastthen this chap would be able to
send a local letter and save on
postage!
DVD review
The Directors CutWelcome to another MOT Matters DVD.
As you know, things can change quickly in
the MOT scheme and information can go
out of date fast. Thats why periodically
we take the time to review the DVDs wehave issued so far to ensure that the
information they contain is relevant and
up to date.
This edition is entitled Back Catalogue 3.
This and Back Catalogue 2contain all
the information you need from previous
DVDs which makes these the only DVDs
you need to keep. The next DVD will cover
more of the changes required by the new
European Commission Testing Directive.
Please bear in mind that we had to sit
through every film weve ever made towhittle down the material for this back
catalogue so get yourself a coffee and a
box of popcorn, sit back and enjoy our
latest motion picture extravaganza!
If youd like to suggest a topic for
future films, email mattersoftesting@
vosa.gov.uk with the subject MOT
Matters DVD, or send a postcard
to the Editor at the address at the
front of this magazine.
mailto:[email protected]?subject=MOT%20Matters%20DVDmailto:[email protected]?subject=MOT%20Matters%20DVDmailto:[email protected]?subject=MOT%20Matters%20DVD8/13/2019 MoT - Issue 50 - May 2011
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T-BRAKET-BRAKECompetition
Can you find the 15 Spanish-themed words on this
grid? Send your answers, along with your name,
address and VTS number by 30 June 2011 to
Competition, Matters of Testing, VOSA, BerkeleyHouse, Croydon Street, Bristol BS5 0DA.
BARCELONA FLAMENCO PAELLA
BENIDORM GAUDI PICASSO
BULLFIGHT GOYA RIOJA
COLUMBUS MADRID SIESTA
FIESTA MATADOR TAPAS
The first correct entry drawn will win 20 of
vouchers that can be used at most high
street stores.
P B B E C P A C N A C E P
T I G H T H G I F L L U B
A N S O S N S S L P I A E
T E A U I T A P A S R T N
S H M M B L A T M C O S D
E F A R L M S P E I J E O
I L B E A R U L N A A I R
F E A D F B O L C F S S M
L P R B E N I D O R M G I
A I I U A O S S A C I P ND T O L O Y A G U T I G I
A E J L U I O I D U A G T
D G A U D Y S G P M B M I
Youve won!The winner of last issues competition is
Natalie Collins of Hampton Hill Crash Repair
in Hampton, Middlesex. Congratulations,
Natalie the vouchers are winging their
way to you!
MOT test enquiries can be made through our contact centre: 0300 123 9000 Matters of Testing | 15
8/13/2019 MoT - Issue 50 - May 2011
16/16
A week in testingA week is a long time in MOT testing and using the
MOT Comp database, weve pulled out some statistics
to show you exactly how hard you work.
The busiest day for MOT testing last year was 29 March, when 132,727tests were carried out. In fact, March was one of the busiest months of2010, containing 8 of the 10 busiest test days of the year.
You carried out 151 tests on New Years Day 2010, but only a paltry29 on Christmas Day what were you all doing?
There are also some interesting conclusions to be reached when lookingat statistics for the working week:
I dont like Mondays seems to be the popular mood amongtesters, as most vehicles were failed immediately after the
weekend particularly Class 7s, especially if theyre white!
Every Tuesday, Class 1 failures are highest.
Wednesdaysare the busiest days for Class 5 tests.
Any given Thursday, Class 4 final results including PRS are most likely to fail.
FridayIm in love with Class 1 tests, but Class 2 failures peakon this day of the week.
Class 4s drive in Saturdayas the most likely class to pass.
Sundaymorning Class 3s are coming down, with only fivetests undertaken, although all of them passed!
Please note these statements are based on figures provided for normal tests only unless otherwisestated, they do not include Pass after Rectification at Station (PRS), abandoned or aborted tests.None of the data takes into consideration the age mileage or maintenance of the vehicle
