MoT chaos as tests have to be cancelled after cracks found in car inspection lifts
DRIVERS across Northern Ireland are facing fresh chaos at MoT centres after issues with vehicle lifts led to the cancellation of appointments.
Inspections will be carried out at 12 of the 17 centres after problems were reported earlier this week.
It is understood cracks were found on vehicle ‘scissor lifts’ and appointments were cancelled for safety reasons.
An internal document seen by the BBC suggested 48 of the 55 lifts in operation had problems.
It follows problems caused by a substantial backlog in appointments towards the end of last year that saw some customers waiting over seven weeks for an appointment.
Last week the testing facility at Larne was closed for repairs, while car and light vehicle tests at the Mallusk centre were suspended on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) “sincerely apologised” for the problems and said all inspections were expected to be completed yesterday. It said repairs would be carried out as soon as possible.
One motorist said she has been left with “no idea what’s happening” following issues at the Driver and Vehicle Agency’s (DVA) Mallusk centre.
The customer — who did not want to be named — told the Belfast Telegraph she was given two hours’ notice of a change of venue from Larne to Mallusk. But when she arrived she was turned away.
“Now I’m just waiting to hear about an appointment, but I guess I’m one of the lucky ones — my certificate doesn’t run out until next week,” she said. “But I’m sure others have had appointments cancelled and don’t have time to wait. All this is obviously going to the backlog of appointments.”
DUP MP Carla Lockhart said there appeared to have been a “breakdown of communication” over the closure of the centres, with people showing up at closed centres without warning their appointment had been cancelled.
Party colleague Gordon Dunne, a North Down MLA, said he had been contacted by a constituent who was turned away from an appointment and said the issues need to be addressed urgently. “It is imperative that our MoT centres are subject to regular planned maintenance programmes which include periodic inspections and load testing to ensure that these centres run smoothly and that there is not a repeat of any issues as we have just seen,” he added.
He said clarity was needed for
those motorists who had their test cancelled and whether they would have any grace period if their test certificate had expired.
DfI said the suspension of the use of vehicle lifts was a “precautionary” move to ensure the safety of staff and customers.
A spokesperson added: “Some checks and repairs have been completed and it is anticipated that remaining inspections will be completed tomorrow and any necessary repairs will be carried out as soon as possible.
“As and when test centres have been inspected and any necessary repairs completed, they will immediately become operational.”
As of last night, Boucher Road, Cookstown and Newbuildings test centres were fully operational, with all MOT tests carried out.
The spokesman added: “At present, there are limited tests being carried out at most MOT centres and appointments are being rescheduled while inspections and repairs are completed.
“Mallusk remains the only test centre not carrying out car and light vehicle tests; heavy goods vehicles and bus tests remain unaffected.
“DVA is making every effort to contact customers to reschedule appointments and will prioritise customers who require an immediate test.
“All other test centres remain open and customers should attend their MOT appointment unless contacted by DVA.”
He added that “a number of test centres” will open on Sunday to provide additional tests.
“DVA sincerely apologises for the inconvenience caused. It is working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible,” the spokesman added.
DfI was asked if the DVA was still experiencing an appointments backlog and, if so, were the current vehicle lift issues worsening this. The department did not respond.
Last year, a substantial backlog of appointments at MoT centres saw some drivers waiting 52 days for an appointment in July.
While many had to wait more than a month for an appointment, DfI said more than 5,000 people failed to turn up for scheduled tests from August to September.
A total of 2,549 appointments were missed in August, while 2,708 were missed in September.