New MOT computer system too clever by far?

[johnmc]

Hi,
A friend of mine runs a garage with an MOT centre, and I got a demo of the new MOT system. Very clever, worth understanding how it works. Your car is logged in to the DVLA system the minute the MOT begins. The tester then runs through the on screen test sequence recording problems as he goes. He has to enter values for the braking efficiency, emissions and a pass/fail for each element of the test.

If the car fails you get a printout with the defects from the DVLA, not a handwritten garage note. If you take the car to another garage and they log in, they can immediately see that your car has been tested already. My mate got a visit from VOSA in the first month of operations with the new system. VOSA drive around with their wireless laptops and check in the database for updates coming through. They walked in and asked him about a car he had just tested, and why it had only taken him 25mins instead of the 30mins expected. They checked the car over, and reminded him that they would be running regular checks with the Police where they would park a traffic car nearby and would pull over vehicles that their database identified as freshly tested, and ensure he's testing accurately.

My mate used to give folks a little leeway in the MOT, EG: if a 50p bulb needed replacing he'd pass it on the understanding that they fitted a bulb right away. Not any more, and his on the spot repair business is on the up. The DVLA will also now know immediately that your car has failed the MOT, and can automatically monitor it's status. If you are still using the car while waiting to get it fixed, don't be surprised if you get pulled over. You are only meant to use it too and from the test centre until fixed (once last year's certificate is expired). I'd imagine that they have other automated checks with insurance and tax checks built in to improve the chances of fining us for something..!

Anyone had an unexpected good/bad experience with the new systems?

Cheers!
John

 

[davidsl500]

Sounds good to me. One of my cars has been through a computerised system already. I always put my cars through at least 3 weeks before they are due - just in case anything does need doing. The good point to the system is that you can online check your MOT status - and no doubt you will also get a reminder as well. I know a few people that never seem to remember when their MOT is up and end up at panic stations trying to get it booked in so a reminder system would be good. If you are buying a car privately then it also means that you can check its status online - so hopefully bogus mot certificates should be a thing of the past.

People may think its a bit "big brother" but as a law abiding citizen I dont mind the police checking the status of my mot, tax or insurance - so long as they catch the scum that dont have said stuff and then ultimately costs should reduce and our roads should be safer.

Not forgetting of course that your car can still be unroadworthy even with an MOT certificate...

 

[turnipsock]

Anyone had an unexpected good/bad experience with the new systems?

I didn't know about the new system when I went in for my last MOT. I had replaced the rear disks and hadn't bothered to adjust the handbrake as I never use it. Because of the new system I got stung for a retest where in the old days I would have had time to take the car away and bring it back to get this retested.

Strangely, when I got the certificate and climbed back into the car, my bulb out warning light came on. One of the rear bulbs had gone. The MOT man saw me getting out the car and asked me if there was a problem. We saw the faulty bulb and he offered to replace it free of charge. I had some spares in the glove compartment so I had it fixed before he could get a replacement for me.

I can now see why he wanted to fix the bulb before I left...he could have got into a lot of trouble had I been checked around the corner.

 

[Ian Brown]

If you are buying a car privately then it also means that you can check its status online - so hopefully bogus mot certificates should be a thing of the past.

Are you sure you can check the MOT status online of the car you are buying, do you not need the MOT reference No to get that information. I know you can check if the vehicles are taxed and when it expires.

Check here http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECSID-Internet-Status-Request.jsp

 

[Silver Arrow]

Check here http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/internet/j...us-Request.jsp

Just tried that with a reg no of one of my toys. It wants the number of the MOT certificate. A bit pointless really!

 

[davidsl500]

Yes I know you need the MOT ref or the DVLA ref off the reg doc - but you can ask the seller for the info on the phone before you go to view - or take a note of it when you check the vin/engine no's match the reg doc and look it up later if you are not buying immediately.

Its strange that you can check the registration no and get basic info about the car -like number of owners/age from some sites but you cant just check the MOT status from the reg. Maybe it will come later.

 

[cyps]

New tax system

I had an accident in my toyota supra and the car was written off.
Insurance company told me they would be informing dvla it was a write off however i just recieved a fine through the door for not retaxing the vehicle and told i cannot get out of it even though they know the vehicle was written off i havent sworn it off road so am still liable

 

[Retired]

To use the referenced web site you need either (a) test number from MOT Certificate or failure notice or (b) reference number from DVLA registration certificate (V5C) and the vehicle registration.

I tried it out using my bike details and got the following error message :
MOT Status Check - Incorrect vehicle or document details.

The details were correct, the problem is that this service is only available wrt MOTs performed using the new computer system.

The web site doesn't mention this rather crucial piece of information and neither does any of the verbiage associated with the error message suggest this as a cause of failure.

 

[ALAN@ECUCLINIC]

you do need the latest type of mot doc before attempting anything on line ,like getting your vehicle taxed btw the mot test has and i beleive still is 45mins its a ****** good system for us "straight and narrow " types but hell for "bodge it and leg it motors"!

 

[Stulc]

It's just bleeding the motorist dry again....that's all.."they" just cant enough out us, they want car's off the roads but they want to sell sell sell...it's crap that's what it is.