April 2020

O ne of the good things about MOT Annual Training and Assessment is that you have all year to do it, from 1 April until 31 March. Despite this, last month the DVSA revealed that more than 30,000 had yet to do so with just days to go before the 2019/2020 deadline. This is a worrying statistic. Testers are required by the DVSA to complete at least three hours of training every year – and 16 hours in five years – without which their authorisation to test will be rendered invalid, leaving them unable to carry out MOTs. MOT testing is a hugely important revenue stream – in the first half of 2019, almost 16 million MOTs were carried out on cars nationwide, according to figures from the DVSA at an average price of £50. It is crucial that independent garages are on the front foot with their training, or else they will not be able to capitalise on this opportunity – and risk losing out to the dealerships. Being able to carry out routine jobs like MOTs to a high standard helps testers to bring in new customers, who may return for follow-up maintenance tasks throughout the year. Process The MOT CPD training window runs from 1 April to 31 March each year. Every MOT tester in the country is required to complete their annual training during this time. Anyone who doesn’t meet this deadline will have their access to the online MOT testing service automatically restricted, preventing them from carrying out any tests until their training is completed. If this does happen, testers must complete the next period’s MOT CPD, then contact the DVSA and arrange a practical testing assessment (VT6) which will be carried out by a DVSA representative. There are alternatives to online, self-guided learning – through the Euro Car Parts Auto Education Academy, we have introduced a new classroom-based programme, covering both full CPD training and routine refresher training. This approach could be a preferred option for some testers, giving them the opportunity to put new learnings and skills into practice during the training process itself. Risks Each year, we see fundamental and often highly specific changes in testing standards, all helping to drive quality assurance and enhanced safety. For example, last year in the 2019-2020 syllabus updates included the correct use of the MOT Inspection Manual, clarification of defect categories, testing hybrid vehicles, new guidance on how to check if brake fluid is contaminated, and changes to requirements for inspecting the way brake pads are wired. This reflects the level of detail MOT testers must familiarise themselves with before they can test vehicles correctly. If they do not complete their training early on in the annual training window, they run the risk of testing vehicles to a standard that no longer applies, and finding their knowledge and skills are out of date. This could put their garage’s authorisation to test at risk, damage the garage’s reputation and in the worst-case scenario, could compromise the safety of its customers. On a practical level, missing the deadline can set testers back by months. It can take several months after the deadline has passed before access to the online testing system is restored, and for the DVSA to conduct its on-site review. This can mean immediate loss of earnings for garages, and might lead customers to take their business elsewhere in the long term. Next steps Our advice to technicians is to get ahead of the game and complete this year’s training as soon as possible. Completing your annual training early in the testing window, and making sure to record all of your completed training throughout the year, doesn’t just save unnecessary panic when the deadline comes around; mechanics who stay up to date with the latest developments will complete MOTs and other jobs to the highest standard, which will help them maintain a steady flow of work to their garage. APRIL 2020 AFTERMARKET 61 TRAINING www.aftermarketonline MOT ANNUAL TRAINING – THE CLOCK STARTS NOW Learn about the process, the benefits of getting ahead, and the risks of leaving assessment too late BY Adam White, Workshop Solutions Director at Euro Car Parts