MOT garages could be unable to undertake tests if testers don’t complete their annual assessment by the end of the month, with suspensions on the cards.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) says this could “have a serious impact on garages’ ability to complete MOT testing”, which will impact profits.
The warning comes as more than 70% of testers are yet to submit the assessments, which, if not completed by the 31 March deadline would result in suspensions and the need to submit additional, and laborious, checks to regain their certification.
This includes submitting a recent DBS check if they are ‘returning after being lapsed or suspended from testing – this includes being suspended for not completing your annual assessment’, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency said, following new rules that came in on 8 January.
After this, any testers who miss the deadline will have to “competently demonstrate” to the DVSA the ability to carry out an MOT test.
Hayley Pells, IMI Policy and public Affairs lead said: “MOT testers who fail to meet the deadline will not only lose their ability to conduct any MOT work until their training and assessment has been completed, and their DBS check has been approved.”
She added: “Garages therefore need to support their technicians in their training and assessments to avoid any impact on the business.”
The warning has been echoed by LKQ Euro Car Parts’ workshop solutions director Bob Wiffen: “Many independent workshops have just the one tester, without whom they risk loyal customers having to take their vehicles elsewhere – and with this year bringing more stringent requirements for testers that fail to hit the deadline, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“And when 1st April arrives, and the new CPD year stats – our advice is not to wait until this time next year before completing it. The training is updated every year for good reason: completing it as early as possible can help you to improve your testing accuracy and thus ensure the safety of the vehicles you test.”
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