New technology being added to MOT test centres will make results more reliable and open to more scrutiny according to the DVSA.
The ability to connect all MOT tests to an online IT system will reduce the risk to drivers and stop motorists being scammed by inaccurate testers. The move is thought to be the biggest change to the system since 1994, when MOTs had to introduce technology to test catalytic convertors.
Eric Smith from KwikFit, who manages the company’s MOT schemes points out that the it is only a matter of time before the technology is rolled out across all garages.
“There used to be a sign inside your garage saying catalytic converter tested here,” Smith said.
“Then diesel cars tested here because years ago they didn't do the diesel testing. They brought it on in that manner.
“Then eventually, and it wasn’t that long to be quite honest everyone was doing cats and diesels.
“Out of all 23,000 garages, I don’t know anyone that isn't doing cats and diesels.
“Progression in itself does take place, it really does crack on."
The new technology will only allow a garage to input data into the MOT system if a car is present on the bed. Previously some garages had scammed the system by passing cars without them even being present, while the new IT tech should also reduce the risk of human error with less chance of the wrong details being entered.
Speaking about the changes to the test late last year, Neil Barlow, head of road policy at the DVSA said: “We’re talking about particularly the metered parts of the MOT test and being able to electronically connect those to our IT.
“There's effectively a web-based service that captures MOT results at the moment, predominantly that's MOT testers typing in MOT results.
“But for things like a roller brake tester, emissions kit, headlights, it's possible to connect that type of kit to the web service.
“That helps on a couple of fronts. It should help from an efficiency point of view in an MOT garage.
“It gives a much greater certainty that an MOT tester has done an MOT but also it captures richer data and gives us all a richer data set which allows us to improve safety.”