MOT warning

 
 

MOT warning

17 Dec 2007

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RMIF says VOSA is drawing up 'black-list' of under-achievers

VOSA is drawing up a ‘black-list’ of MOT testing stations that need extra inspections and assessments to bring them up to standard, the RMIF is warning.

VOSA is currently visiting testing stations carrying out MOT Enforcement Transformation assessments (METs).

Stations that fall short in the risk assessments will be targeted for further investigations next year.

The inspections will check adherence to MOT regulations but will also inspect non-MOT areas. The RMIF says these could include:

  • Customer waiting areas
  • Health and safety compliance
  • Building condition
  • Non-MOT equipment; maintenance, calibration and condition
  • Record keeping
  • Staff training and retention
  • Management knowledge and training
  • Commercial health


VOSA has no official power to take action against test stations for perceived shortcomings in any of the risk assessment areas.

However, Stephen Coles, from the RMIF MOT Operations Team, says the result may lead to follow-up investigations.

“VOSA can use this evidence to support a view that stations that fall short in these non-MOT areas lack a degree of professionalism in their approach to their staff and clients which may well be mirrored in the way that the MOT side of the business is run,” he said.

“Shortcomings noted during the risk assessment will be scored and if deemed significant, will lead to a higher than normal risk score.

“VOSA will then target stations that are viewed as high risk with increased inspections, mystery shoppers and targeted enforcement.”

Testing stations will know how they have been graded in the METs later in 2008.

VOSA spokeswoman Zita Easton confirmed that the METs were used to assess garages even in non MOT-related areas of their business.

"Does the scheme look at non-MOT areas too? Yes, it does," said Zita. "What areas does the scheme cover? The standards that each VTS should strive towards to be assessed as being a low-risk of non-compliance within the MOT Scheme."

All areas examined in the test are listed in a leaflet, entitled VTS Best Practice, available from VOSA.
 

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