MoT TESTERS TO SUPPORT CLASSIC CARS
The system of certifying testers is to be overhauled, but authorities promise that they won’t ignore older vehicles
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has assured classic owners that the skills needed to MoT their cars will not be left behind, despite changes being made to what’s being taught to MoT testers.
A new mandatory MoT tester qualification will be introduced in September this year in an attempt to standarise annual inspections across test centres.
MoT training content for the 58,000 testers already operating across the country has been reviewed to reflect advances in technology.
It was widely speculated across the classic car industry that with new MoT training being introduced, old skills essential for maintaining and mending classics would be lost.
But Dave Easton, DVSA MoT training project executive, is quick to reassure owners of older cars.
He tells CCW: ‘The training structure has remained the same and the knowledge to cover vehicles of any age will be covered as part of the MoT training.’
New MoT testers need to have four years’ experience in the motor trade MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS
The Driver and Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA) reports that the knowledge needed to MoT classic cars will not be left behind – as competency is updated to the latest vehicle technologies.
The DVSA is introducing a new mandatory MoT tester qualification in September this year. It says that while the ‘vast majority’ of the 42 million tests carried out each year in the UK are to the correct standard, ‘errors can and have occurred’.
A new qualification and training regime is intended to improve standards and consistency across the industry.
The content of MoT training for the 58,000 testers already operating across the country has been reviewed to reflect advances in technology and changes in modern vehicle design.
It was thought that with new MoT training being introduced, old skills essential for maintaining and mending classics would be lost. Dave Easton, DVSA MoT training project executive is quick to calm these worries. He says: ‘The structure of the training has remained the same and the knowledge to cover vehicles of any age will be covered as part of the training.
‘The DVSA will continue to monitor the training and competence of testers as it has always done and areas of concern will be addressed in the annual training syllabus which will be tailored to improve the knowledge of MoT testers in specific areas to ensure their skills are up to date.’
New MoT testers need to have at least four years’ experience in the motor trade to take the new qualification.
Applicants will have to successfully complete the qualification and pass a practical assessment before being authorised to test. The final assessment will be conducted by a DVSA examiner.
Once they start carrying out MoT tests, workers will need to pass an annual assessment to retain their authorisation to test.
Annual training and assessment of MoT testers was introduced in April 2016. Under the old system, MoT testers had to complete two days of refresher training every five years, but now they will have to do three hours each year – and pass the assessment before being permitted to continue to test cars.
However, MoT stations that regularly test classic cars have aired concerns about the lack of classic friendly garages. Pete Dane, proprietor of Motorvation and adjacent MoT centre in Barnack, Lincolnshire, says: ‘A lot of it can only come from experience, and that’s a commodity that’s dying out. Garages dealing with classics know what is acceptable and what isn’t – they tend to be a bit more sympathetic. Few modern garages are quite so classic aware.
‘But in many ways classics are easier for MoTs – you don’t need to worry about emissions, lambda sensors, and seatbelts in some cases. You can only test what’s fitted.’