Risks Colin Cottrell, Marketing Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, said: “The DfT’s proposals to move MOTs from every 12 months to every 24 months – and to introduce mandatory testing from year four instead of year three – have dominated discussion in recent months. We agree wholeheartedly with organisations like the AA who have already spoken out against the proposals and the huge safety risks they pose to British roads, which are today some of the safest in the world.” Colin continued: “The shift in MOT patterns bought on by the pandemic means MOT volumes are now high in September, October and November. Rather than wait for customers to call you, now is the time to pick up the phone, use your GMS if you have one and book jobs in advance. This also gives you the chance to chat to your customers about the advisories that came up in their MOTs last year. Depending on the severity of the advisory, there is a good chance that the same issue may need addressing this time.” Roadworthiness According to IAAF Chief Executive Mark Field, the situation on the annual work pattern front may be improving: “Data from DVSA and from the IAAF Garage Network suggests a levelling out of the MOT trend brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic. More motorists are now resorting back to summer MOTs and the number of customers having both MOT and services done together is dropping also, as people look to spread costs.” “There is a clear need to educate motorists on the safety benefits of carrying out regular MOT tests. MOT testing stations and testers need to be better supported in communicating to motorists why the MOT test is in place. Much is done on the importance of roadworthiness but more needs to be done to promote the relationship between the motorist and the workshop carrying out the test.” Looking towards the potential surprise outcomes that could result from any radical changes to the MOT, Mark added: “We support plans to modernise the MOT, but we do not believe in a change of frequency. By reducing the frequency, the public will perceive this as being an indication that vehicles are ‘more reliable’, especially in relation to vehicles that use driver style or journey type to calculate when a service is required – which is often every two years.” Far-reaching implications Concept Garage Equipment National Sales Manager Andy Davidson observed: "Recent changes and the MOT consultation have understandably caused uncertainty and concern in the industry. “One of the main points of contention is the suggestion to extend the initial MOT test interval from three to four years. The expanded use of connected vehicle data is also looming, with the promise of more targeted and efficient testing, reducing unnecessary visits to garages, and reduction in scam or faked MOT testing. Garage owners also worry about the potential impact on their businesses if testing becomes more automated and less reliant on manual inspections as well as the high cost of MOT equipment replacements or upgrades to the DVSAconnected equivalents. The consequences of these proposed changes have left the garage MOT industry in a 46 AFTERMARKET JULY/AUGUST 2023 MOT www.aftermarketonline.net state of uncertainty. The financial viability and job security of garage owners, operators, and employees could be significantly affected.” The many proposed changes are being taken seriously by businesses in the sector noted Andy: "Some customers are uncertain about the future of the MOT industry and some are not always seeing the benefit of upgrading to connected MOT equipment where they may see MOT numbers decline due to the proposed changes to MOT intervals, however, we are also seeing an increased positive interest by MOT testers to the introduction of automatic numberplate recognition (ANPR) for garages to cut down on MOT fraud by rogue garages." He added: “These MOT proposed changes could have farreaching implications, including reduced testing frequency, and higher costs for garage owners with the integration of additional connected vehicle data, but may reduce both frauds within the MOT industry and some vehicle owner costs. Striking a balance between technological advancements and road safety while ensuring the industry's sustainability is essential for the DVSA to address the concerns stakeholders raise.” For more information, visit: https://concept-ge.co.uk/ Improvements GEA Chief Executive Julian Woods observed: “As we all wait with bated breath for some updates from the government and DfT on the MOT consultation, business as normal still needs to continue. The DVSA continue to drive improvements in their systems and processes. “From an equipment point of view some updates came out in April, namely DVSA Special notice 01/23, which all MOT stations should be fully aware of. These include the fact that an MOT station can no longer perform selfcalibration of roller brake testers, plate brake testers and headlight aim equipment, and that decelerometers are now only going to have a 12 month calibration certificate opposed to 24 months. Some people feel aggrieved by this directive as they may have been maintaining their equipment for many years. If you look at the bigger picture though, the MOT is primarily an independent safety inspection of vehicles, so should equipment used to test and validate the safe status of the vehicle not also be independently tested and verified as working and accurate by a suitably qualified and competent person? It is a legal requirement to maintain your vehicle lifts at regular intervals, as per the HSE PUWER regulation, and have a safety inspection of the lift conducted every six months by a qualified and competent person, referring to the HSE LOLER regulation.” Julian added: “A lot of work is currently being conducted to ensure equipment used in the MOT industry is fit for purpose. This leads back to the Dft’s consultation on the future of MOT testing. Diesel smoke meters were first introduced in to the test in the mid-1990s. Since then, we can no longer see high levels of smoke coming from the exhaust, but we know the emissions are still there. There is a real need to implement newer testing standards to check these cars are working correctly and that nobody has removed or bypassed the DPF filter when the warning light came on the dashboard saying it needs attention.” Proactive Getting into the specifics of MOT failures, around 10% result from driver visibility issues, with wiper condition playing a
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