Latest News:
MOT garages will soon see the benefits of equipment that connects directly to the MOT testing service, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced.
From 1 October, anyone buying a roller brake tester will need to make sure it’s a model that can connect to the MOT testing service. This includes buying replacement equipment, and as part of the process of getting authorisation to carry out MOTs at a test station. DVSA has worked with roller brake tester manufacturers to develop software that will allow their products to connect to the MOT testing service. Connected equipment will save time, reduce the risk of error in entering MOT results and help to reduce the risk of fraud.
Chris Price, DVSA Head of MOT Policy said: “DVSA’s priority is to help everyone keep their vehicle safe to drive. “We’ve brought connected equipment in to modernise testing in MOT garages and reduce the potential for mistakes. “It will make testing quicker, more accurate and give motorists greater confidence in the quality of testing. Garages already using this equipment have seen benefits to their business.”
DVSA is also working with manufacturers to develop diesel smoke meters, exhaust gas analysers and decelerometers that connect to the MOT testing service. There are plans to make connectable models of these kinds of equipment mandatory for replacement equipment and new garages too.
Connectable equipment is not necessarily more expensive than the current equipment garages already have. The difference between a connectable and non-connectable model is often its software. This means that non-connectable equipment models can be made connectable by a software update to allow it to connect to the MOT testing service.
MOT garage managers are encouraged to investigate the benefits of connected equipment and understand how it will help the testing process in their workplace. Investing in connected equipment will improve the efficiency of their garages and help futureproof their businesses.
FURTHER INFORMATION
DVSA is working with the Garage Equipment Association (GEA) to agree the standards for connected equipment and approve models for use in MOT garages MOT garage equipment approved by DVSA.
From 1 July 2019, DVSA agreed with the GEA that no new models of class 4, 5 and 7 roller brake tester would be approved for use in MOT centres unless they can connect to DVSA’s MOT testing service.
From 1 August 2019, DVSA agreed with the GEA that no new models of diesel smoke meter, exhaust gas analysers or decelerometers would be approved for use in MOT centres unless they can connect to DVSA’s MOT testing service.
From 1 October 2019, new MOT centres must have a connected roller brake tester to receive approval and all garages can only to buy connectable roller brake testers as replacements.
DVSA is planning to introduce the same rules for connectable models of decelerometer, exhaust gas analyser, diesel smoke meter and headlamp aligner. DVSA will confirm the date of rule changes for these kinds of equipment in due course.
DVSA is encouraging manufacturers of garage equipment to work with them to make items connectable to the MOT testing service. For more information garages should contact MOT@dvsa.gov.uk. DVSA has not made connected roller brake testers mandatory for garages unless they are replacing a piece of equipment. MOT garages can continue to use non-connectable roller brake testers until they need to be replaced.
