Guidance

MOT testing service: IT specification

Updated 23 June 2022

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-modernisation-it-specification/mot-testing-service-it-specification

1. Introduction

MOT testing stations need to have the right equipment to use the MOT testing service to record test results.

You need to have a:

  • PC, laptop or tablet with an internet connection
  • printer

This specification sets out the minimum requirements for the:

  • hardware (PC, laptop or tablet)
  • internet connection (broadband, 3G/4G or satellite)
  • browser (the software you use to access the service)
  • printer

2. Hardware requirements

You can use one of the following to use the MOT testing service:

  • desktop PC or iMac
  • laptop
  • tablet

2.1 PC, iMac and laptops

The MOT testing service is designed to run on most recent Windows and MacOS computers and laptops with:

  • a 1GHz processor
  • 512 MB system memory
  • 20GB hard drive space
  • 1024 x 768 screen resolution or above
  • a network cable socket (RJ45) or Wi-Fi

Most desktop PCs, iMacs or laptops bought after 2009 will almost certainly meet the minimum requirements to access and run the service.

2.2 Tablets

The MOT testing service is designed to run on any tablets with screen sizes of 9 inches and above (measured diagonally across the screen).

The service does not work on smaller tablets or smartphones.

3. Internet connection requirements

The MOT testing service works on internet connections of 0.5Mbps (512 Kbps) and above.

You can use a fixed-line, 3G, 4G or satellite internet connection to achieve these speeds.

Your internet connection should be fast enough if you can browse the pages on the GOV.UK website without any problems or interruption.

You can check your current internet connection speed by visiting either Broadband Speedchecker or Speedtest.net.

You’ll need to upgrade your connection if it isn’t fast enough.

Read more information about internet connections on the Ofcom website.

4. Browser requirements

A ‘browser’ is a piece of software which lets you view websites. You need to have the right one installed on your device to use the MOT testing service.

You need to have one of the following browsers installed on your device to use the MOT testing service:

  • Chrome (latest version) – supplied by Google and can be used on either Windows or MacOS
  • Firefox (latest version) – supplied by Mozilla and can be used on either Windows or MacOS
  • Edge (latest version) - supplied by Microsoft with its latest IT equipment
  • Safari 12 and later - supplied by Apple with its latest IT equipment
  • Safari for iOS 12.1 and later - supplied by Apple with its latest mobile equipment

Find out more about browsers

5. Printer requirements

You need an A4 black and white printer as a minimum to print MOT certificates and other documents from the service.

You need a printer with Wi-Fi if you’re using a tablet to access the MOT testing service.

You need to provide your own printer consumables (ie plain white paper and toner or ink etc).

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