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Ensure that you’re nailing these must-know practices for MOT Testing

by | MOT Compliance

Grey man checking off the must-know practices for MOT Testing

Are you nailing the must-know practices for MOT Testing compliance?

We all know that there are things we ‘should’ be doing when carrying out an MOT Test but are you sure that you are doing them?

Here’s some questions to help you identify where things might need some attention:

  • Do you complete the MOT ‘by the book’ – that means no deviations from the MOT Manual or Guide information is allowed!
  • Are you certain that you know how to use the equipment required to carry out an MOT test properly, and that you are implementing that knowledge correctly?
  • Is all the MOT equipment in good order and properly calibrated? If not – don’t use it!
  • Do you follow a solid routine, covering all parts of the test thoroughly? You might be tempted to skip parts out but it’s essential that you don’t give in to this temptation!
  • Are you being distracted by chats about what you did at the weekend/how your footie team is doing or your plans for your next adventure? MOT Testers should not be distracted while testing so keep the conversations to break and lunch times.
  • Do you stay with the vehicle for the duration of the test? You shouldn’t wander away whilst the test is in progress.
  • Do you always carry out the Test using the MOT bay?

 

Are there any practices in your workshop that could inadvertently lead you to 500 points?

The first point in The MOT Guide, Section 8, Disciplinary Procedures is:

Fraud, dishonesty or gross negligence

Shortcoming Points
Improper recording on the MOT testing service of the test result of a vehicle or issue of a VT20 or a VT30 involving some act of fraud, including misuse of the MOT testing service, dishonesty, or gross negligence 500 points

 

Some examples of what might constitute fraud, dishonesty or gross negligence in the MOT testing process are:

  1. a tester recording a pass or fail MOT test result without personally taking any active part in the examination of the vehicle.
  2. Issuing a duplicate MOT Test Certificate (VT20) unjustifiably.
  3. Making unjustified changes to an MOT test record.
  4. Accepting a bribe to record a pass result for a vehicle.
  5. the recording of a test result to vehicles which have attended a VTS in which their start and finish test time recorded in the MOT testing service would not allow a full examination to be carried out.
  6. Issuing a CT20 (Contingency MOT Test Certificate) or CT30 (Contingency refusal of a MOT Test Certificate) for vehicles when there was no contingency testing (CT) incident.

The 5th point there is interesting.  It’s essentially talking about short test times, something that I look closely at when checking Test Logs.

 

Did you know that came under the Fraud category?  Or that a Tester could receive 500 points?  

 

Being given 500 points means a cessation, which in the short term is 28 days, but there is also the possibility of a 2 to 5-year cessation! 

 

So what can you do as an MOT Tester to ensure that this doesn’t happen to you?

  • MOT by the book – don’t be tempted to deviate from the MOT Manual or Guide information.
  • Follow a solid routine – cover all parts of the test thoroughly and don’t be tempted to miss or skip any part.
  • Follow the rules!

if you need help ensuring you’re doing things ‘by the book’ get in touch:  karena@themotgroup.co.uk