Guidance

Using MOT test quality information: guidance for MOT testers

Published 10 October 2018

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

1. Overview

Test quality information is data about the MOT tests you’ve carried out. Use it as a starting point to monitor your standards of testing.

There are 2 types of information that you can get from the MOT testing service:

• MOT test quality information - a summary of failure rates
• MOT test logs - a record of every MOT test you’ve carried out

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) uses this information when preparing for site visits.

2. MOT test quality information

2.1 What information you can get

You can view:

• the number of tests you’ve carried out
• the average age of vehicle tested
• your failure rate, your site’s failure rate and the national failure rate
• test durations
• component failure rates

2.2 Test groups

Test quality information is displayed by test groups. The groups are:

• group A for vehicle classes 1 and 2
• group B for vehicle classes 3, 4, 5 and 7

Each vehicle group you test is displayed separately. The initial screen shows data for the last full month. You can also view the last 3 full months.

2.3 Testing at multiple sites

You can view information for each site you test at.

2.4 What formats you can use the information in

You can view the data as a webpage in the MOT testing service.

2.5 How to access the information

1. Sign in to the MOT testing service.

2. Click Performance dashboard.

3. Click Test quality information.

4. Select a date range. You can view data for the last month (full calendar month) or last 3 months (full calendar months).

5. Click Update the results.

3. MOT test logs

3.1 What information you can get

You can view test logs for a specific:

• day
• week
• month (maximum 31 days)

The test logs on the webpage provide information on the:

• date and time of test
• vehicle registration mark (VRM)
• vehicle make and model
• user and site ID
• test result

You can also download a comma-separated values (CSV) file that includes extra information.

A CSV file is a basic type of spreadsheet that sets out information in tables. CSV files open in most spreadsheet software.

The CSV includes information about:

• internet protocol (IP) addresses (these are unique numbers that are linked to all online activity from computers)
• test numbers
• vehicle identification numbers (VINs)
• test classes
• test durations
• contingency codes
• dates and times contingency tests have been recorded

3.2 How to access the information

1. Sign in to the MOT testing service.

2. Click Performance dashboard.

3. Click Test logs.

4. Select a date range. You can view data for a specific day, week (Monday to Sunday) or a month (maximum of 31 days).

5. Click Update the results.

6. Click to Download CSV file at the bottom of the page.

4. How to interpret the information

Your failure rate might be higher or lower than the site or national average. This does not automatically mean anything is wrong with your testing standard.

Review this data regularly and look into any unusual differences and record the outcome.

Take action if you have any concerns about your test failure rates. You should:

• check the MOT inspection manual to make sure you’re applying the correct standards
• talk to other testers or the person responsible for test quality control at your testing station

4.1 Factors to take into account

There are lots of factors you might need to take into account when you interpret the information.

Example 1

Your fail rate for suspensions might be higher than the national average if you test in a rural area.

Example 2

Your overall fail rate might be higher than your site’s average if you test older vehicles compared to another tester who mainly tests newer vehicles.