The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has revealed that MOT garages will soon benefit from equipment that can connect directly to MOT’s testing facility.
Since 1 October the first day of October, anyone purchasing a roller brake tester has to ensure that it’s one that can be connected to MOT Testing service. This could be to replace the broken or damaged roller brake tester or in the course of opening a brand new MOT station.
DVSA has collaborated with manufacturers of roller brake testers to create software that will enable their products to be connected with the testing services for MOT. Connected equipment can reportedly help save time, decrease the chance of errors when entering MOT results, and lower the chance of fraud.
Chris Price, DVSA Head of MOT Policy, said: “DVSA’s primary goal is to help everybody keep their car 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 makes testing faster more precise and provide motorists more confidence in the accuracy of their tests. Garages already using this technology have seen positive effects on 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 to eliminate the possibility of human error during the reporting process. Connecting the MOT bay equipment to the internet is an extremely sensible step for us since it eliminates all “miss pressing” from the user, and speeds the process.
“Starting with connecting brake testers to each other makes sense, and with the advent of Automated Test Lanes (ATLs) many may already be connected. Connecting all kinds of processor-based devices is possible, and when connectivity is made available across the entire test bay it will increase value to motorists by diminishing errors, and will benefit garages in speeding the test.”
DVSA has also stated that it has been working with manufacturers to create diesel smoke meters analysers for exhaust gases and decelerometers which connect with the MOT test service. It is also planned to create connectable models of these types of devices compulsory for repair and for new garages too.
Connectable equipment is thought to be less costly than the equipment garages already use. The main difference between a connectable and a non-connectable model is usually the software. This means that non-connectable models can be made compatible through a software upgrade to enable it connection to the testing facility for MOT.
DVSA is encouraging garage managers to research the advantages of connected equipment and to understand what it can do to improve the testing process at their work.
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