The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has revealed that MOT garages will soon benefit from MOT bay equipment that can connect directly to MOT’s testing facility.
Since 1 October any person who purchases a roll brake tester must be sure that it’s one that can join the MOT test service. This could be to replace an older or damaged roller brake tester or in the course of opening a brand new MOT station.
DVSA has collaborated with the manufacturers of roller brake testers to create software that will enable their products to be connected with the testing services for MOT. Connected equipment is said to cut down on time, lower the chance of errors when entering results from MOT and lower the chance of fraud.
Chris Price, DVSA Head of MOT Policy, said: “DVSA’s goal is to assist all motorists keep their vehicles in a safe and secure manner. We’re working with connected technology to improve the quality of testing in MOT garages, and to reduce the risk of errors.
“It will speed up testing and more precise, and also give motorists more confidence in the accuracy of their tests. Garages that already use this equipment have seen improvements to their businesses.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Garage Equipment Association, David Garratt, said: “The main concern for GEA members is to enhance the efficiency of MOT equipment and eliminate any chance of human error during the process of reporting. Connecting test equipment for MOT is a sensible move for us, as it eliminates the possibility of “miss keys” caused by an operator and speed the process.
“Starting with connecting brake testers to each other makes sense and , with the introduction of Automated Test Lanes (ATLs) many may already be connected. Connecting all kinds of processor-based devices is possible, and once connectivity is implemented throughout the entire test area it will provide more value to the motorist through diminishing errors, and will benefit garages in speeding the test.”
DVSA has also stated that it is working with companies to create diesel smoke meters analysers for exhaust gases and decelerometers which connect with the MOT test service. The company is also planning to create connectable models of these types of devices mandatory for new the replacement of equipment and for garages that are new as well.
Connectable equipment is believed to be less costly than the equipment garages already are using. The major difference between a connectable versus non-connectable model is usually the software. This means that non-connectable models are able to be made connectable through a software upgrade to allow them connection to the testing facility for MOT.
DVSA encourages MOT garage managers to study the advantages of connected equipment and to understand what it can do to improve the testing process at their own workplace.
Global Business Article Submission