If you want to ensure that your MOT testing station remains compliant and is operating as smoothly as possible, it’s essential that you fully prepare for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) site review. Remember that these can happen at any time and may contribute to your station’s overall risk score and potential risk rating.
Following a review of the MOT site assessment process, and having taken on board feedback from the industry and fellow MOT Testers, the DVSA has made some amendments to the MOT testing station site review process.
These changes came into effect on 1st April 2025 and make the process more streamlined and less time consuming for all parties, enabling the DVSA to focus on improving the MOT Testing stations and MOT centres that aren’t performing as well as they should be on their site visits – many of which will already have a higher risk score or have shown unusual differences in testing patterns.
So what can you expect during a DVSA site audit following these changes?
1. Streamlined Onsite Reviews:
The simplified onsite MOT site assessment process allows the DVSA to focus primarily on compliance checks rather than an in-depth examination of all systems and processes. This means that they’ll be less disruptive for MOT Stations and will require less preparation time.
As a minimum the DVSA will check your MOT centre for:
Verification that the authorised ‘entity’ is still in control of the MOT testing site and running it accordingly.
- Ensuring all required equipment is present and in full working order.
- Confirmation that vehicles undergoing MOT tests are physically present.
- Compliance with MOT Testing Service security protocols.
- Ensuring that the overall presentation of the site meets DVSA standards.
- Confirmation that vehicles are being assessed fully and accurately (by reinspecting a recently tested vehicle).
In some cases, DVSA officers may look for unusual differences in test outcomes or inconsistencies that could indicate a potential risk to MOT test quality or integrity.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
Any time the DVSA are onsite at your testing stations they will conduct a Site Review. Previously, if a demonstration test had been requested then often that was all the DVSA officer would do during that site visit. With this new, streamlined approach, there will be time for a review every time an officer is on site at your MOT Testing station.
It’s crucial that the Site Manager/MOT Manager is fully aware of the review criteria and that they can demonstrate active management of the MOT process and MOT Tester staff – including evidence of annual training being completed and understood by all testers.
2. Vehicle Testing Station (VTS) Self-Assessments (previously known as offsite reviews):
If an MOT testing station has a good record with the DVSA, a VTS Self-Assessment may be carried out, instead of an onsite review.
The Authorised Examiner Designated Manager (AEDM) will receive a self-assessment form via email, which they will be required to complete and return to the DVSA within 14 days for assessment.
AEDM’s – make sure your email details are correct on the MOT system, or you may not receive your Self-Assessment form.
3. Adjustments to Disciplinary Points Threshold:
The threshold for triggering disciplinary action has been raised from 30 to 40 points.
This means that if some minor non-compliances are picked up during the DVSA site review, they can be resolved through training and support rather than disciplinary measures – helping to maintain a more favourable risk score for your testing station.
Things to remember!
Whilst the review process has been streamlined, the DVSA still expects you to have robust systems in place to manage personnel, quality control, and overall site operations.
All AEs and MOT Testers need to ensure that they continue to fulfil all the requirements laid down in the MOT Guide to remain compliant.
MOT Managers are responsible for ensuring these systems are effective and they may be evaluated during the audit. The risk rating of the MOT testing station could influence whether any extra actions are required post-audit.
For a comprehensive overview of these changes, you can refer to the DVSA’s Matters of Testing blog post. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’re always happy to help: karena@themotgroup.co.uk