The MOT was first introduced in the UK in 1960, and over the last 60-plus years, it has evolved to include new tests to deal with new vehicle technologies. To ensure vehicles continue to be safe when driven on the roads, some potential additions may need to be implemented shortly. One of these changes is having ADAS systems checked as part of the MOT process. Today, vehicles are even more advanced due to their softwarebased systems. These include intelligent speed assistance, advanced emergency braking and lane assist systems to name but a few. As an industry, we understand the importance of calibrating these systems correctly, but it is also important to highlight the safetycritical nature of ADAS to the motorist. According to research carried out by the IMI only 18% of respondents understood what ADAS is and could correctly identify it. When ADAS systems testing becomes part of the MOT process it will highlight two things; Firstly, it will increase the knowledge of the motorist when it comes to understanding what their vehicle has on board. Secondly, it will provide an additional revenue stream for MOT centres if work needs to be carried out. The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) has highlighted that it is vital that all ADAS features, whether they are mandatory or installed by the driver, are checked during the MOT and as a business, we also believe this is imperative. Right first-time calibrations of systems must be carried out to ensure the vehicle is safe when it goes back out on the road. Additionally, how these systems are managed during the MOT itself is critical. The recommendation from PACTS is ‘If any of these mandatory safety-critical features are found to be malfunctioning that cannot be fixed on-site during MOT, then the vehicle should fail the MOT. In case of the malfunctioning of the voluntarily installed system, the driver/owner should be given a warning to get it fixed as soon as possible.' Putting in a recommendation that systems need to be fixed during the MOT or being given a warning is all well and good. However, it does highlight two issues. The first is what happens if the issue cannot be fixed during the MOT because the test centre does not have the necessary tools to do the work. This will lead to the vehicle sitting on-site until the work can be carried out by a third party or main dealer and this means the vehicle will potentially be off the road for a significant amount of time. To combat this issue, Repairify’s devices provide centres with access to every OEM manufacturer’s diagnostic tool, supported by a fully trained OEM technician who will assist remotely. Technicians should also undergo the 32 AFTERMARKET MARCH 2024 TECHNICAL www.aftermarketonline.net Martin considers the implications of including a check on ADAS systems within the MOT test BY Martin PinnellBrown, Director, Repairify Innovations WHEN ADAS IS ADDED TO THE MOT necessary training from recognised bodies such as the IMI to ensure they have the qualifications, skills and knowledge to complete the work in a timely manner. When it comes to the warnings highlighted in the MOT, how many drivers review them on an MOT and get them fixed straight away? This voluntary system needs to be included under any mandatory section for ADAS because even if they are not standard, they are part of what keeps the vehicle and driver safe on the road. There’s no doubt ADAS as part of the MOT will be coming, but we need to know what the test will include and what qualifications businesses are required to have to do the work. This change may cause some shortterm financial strain for businesses as they invest in the necessary tools and training. However, in the long run, it will future-proof their business and allow them to offer new services in addition to their existing MOT testing.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=