Seven days that shook the vehicle testing system... how a problem spiralled into a crisis
Tuesday, January 21: Armagh MoT centre closed after faults were discovered in some lifts during a planned inspection. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said other test centres would remain open but some appointments may be rescheduled.
Thursday, January 23: MoT appointments cancelled across Northern Ireland as further details of problems with vehicle lifts emerged. Inspections were to be carried out at 12 of the 15 centres, with reports 48 out of the 55 lifts were faulty.
It was revealed that the previous 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 DfI said all inspections were due to be completed on Thursday with repairs carried out as soon as possible.
That evening the department said some test centres would open on Sunday to make up for the cancelled appointments.
Mallusk was the only MoT centre not carrying out car and light vehicle tests that day.
Friday, January 24: DfI said tests were being carried out at all centres but lifts were only fully operational at Belfast, Cookstown and Newbuildings in Derry.
Two of the three lifts at the Coleraine centre were working and three out of four operating in Craigavon. DVA confirmed those who had an appointment cancelled would be refunded half of the test fee and given a free test.
On Friday evening Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said drivers affected would be issued with temporary MoT certificates.
She said the exemptions would apply to customers with expired or soon-to-be expiring car and light vehicle MoT certificates, who have had appointments cancelled. Ms Mallon said test centres would be opening extra hours to ensure customers impacted are rescheduled as soon as possible.
Sunday, January 26: Confirmed affected drivers would be issued with four-month exemptions from Monday, and that they would be backdated to January 20. Minister
Mallon encouraged drivers to book MoTs as normal when they received their reminder letter.
Monday, January 27: Infrastructure Minister refused to say whether compensation would be provided to those forced to hire cars due to cancelled tests. Ms Mallon said she was unable to give a time frame for when the situation would be resolved.
That evening all tests for cars and light vehicles were suspended with “immediate effect”. DVA chief executive Paul Duffy said that following further inspections of lift faults at MoT centres, the contractor had not provided sufficient assurances on the effectiveness of the ongoing repairs.
Anyone scheduled for a car or light vehicle test on Tuesday was told not to attend.
The DVA said that all customers, except customers with four-yearold vehicles and taxis, will be automatically issued an MoT exemption certificate and therefore could continue to drive.
Tuesday, January 28:
Infrastructure Minister Mallon (right) ordered two independent reviews as she branded the situation “not acceptable”.
It came as Mr Duffy ordered the halting of tests for cars and light vehicles after failing to receive adequate assurances about repairs.
Mr Duffy admitted the lifts could take months to replace with costs rising to millions.