June 2019

expect: “We learned a lot from the visit. Among other things, they nit-pick the premises like there's no tomorrow.” That’s how they come up with the risk rating. It is also how you find out that despite your best efforts, even if you think you run an exemplary MOT station, the DVSA might still find something you overlooked. This is what happened to our reader: “I had a wallchart that was not so much out of date, but was obsolete shall we say.” He continued: “I am really concerned that DVSA are making up the rules as they go along, which surely can't be fair.” We know this is not the case, but it could seem that way if you were new to the process though, as many MOT businesses are at this point. There are ways to help your business get through the process with a good rating, including the RMI MOT QC Scheme. Our reader commented: “The RMI MOT QC Scheme was only done three or four months before. Surely, they should have picked up on these things?” We will hear from the RMI later. We asked our reader what he thought the thinking was within the DVSA on this: “I think that they are quite willing to have a go at you. If they give you the rules in the first place and you don't obey them, then fair comment, but when they make the rules up and then they keep them quiet and have a go at you afterwards, that seems grossly unfair.” Perpective Looking at it from the other way around, we asked if our reader would have had his workshop rating-ready, if he had understood how they were going to come in, and be rating the station: “That's why I have the RMI MOT QC inspection,” he replied. “That was done in the October, and the DVSA inspection was in the following March. Nothing had changed as such. You have a thing up there on the wall that says what the prices are, and it is up to date, and yet they turn round and say you don't need that any more. Let's face it, ignorance of the law is no excuse, but knowing there is actually a law might not be a bad idea.” So is more communication needed? “Yes. I would actually say if you are going to give me a rocket, where is the special notice saying that something was going to be in existence?” Despite the drop to red, and perhaps a red face for our reader, he was still able to perform MOT tests. He had not been suspended. He had been warned though. Up to date Frank Harvey, IGA Head of Member Services commented: “These comments from a test station clearly show how important it is for garages to keep up to date with the communications from both the DVSA and the IGA around the evolution of MOT testing in the UK. The last few years have seen many changes to the MOT and the latest of these is in the way risk is measured and recorded by the DVSA in terms of the red/amber/green status of a test station. The fact that this now incorporates the rating of individual testers provides an additional challenge to an AE. “External quality checks from a third party such as the RMI help an AE to remain compliant but the requirement to manage quality is an ongoing one and an understanding of the vast quantity of data visible to an AE through the MOT Testing Service is a vital part of this. This is why analysis of TQI is once again part of the Annual Training syllabus for the 2019/2020 annual training year.” From the introduction of Annual Training, the IGA has stressed the importance of completing the training and taking the assessment early. Frank observed: “Taking Annual Training early in the year is a good way of helping to keep a site ‘in the green’ and if any AE has concerns, the IGA is always there to offer advice to help reduce the risk score of a site. We work together with the DVSA to keep AEs and testers up to date and you can continue to meet them at our regional events around the country and on our stand at Automechanika Birmingham.” 10 AFTERMARKET JUNE 2019 BIG ISSUE www.aftermarketonline.net