Guidance

MOT special notice 07-17: replacement documents, smoke test limits and annual assessments

Published 28 November 2017

This guidance was withdrawn on 23 November 2020


This MOT special notice has been withdrawn because it is no longer relevant.

You can find the latest information in the MOT inspection manual

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

1. Replacement MOT documents

1.1 Overview

A replacement document’s issued when there’s an error on the original, and it’s requested before the expiry date. All test documentation including pass documents and failure notices can be replaced.

No fee is charged for the issue of replacement documents.

Vehicle testing stations (VTSs) are only able to update their own issued documents and then only for:

• the vehicle colour
• the odometer readings/units

Note: Currently, this may only be changed within 7 calendar days of the test completion. For amendments to other details the customer must contact mot@dvsa.gov.uk.

1.2 What’s changing

From the issue of this notice, the time limit for making odometer changes has increased to 28 calendar days.

Where the customer has mislaid the document that they want to have replaced and they can produce the necessary evidence, the national administration hubs will assist with the replacement.

2. Diesel smoke tester limits

2.1 Overview

On 20 May 2018 the new roadworthiness directive will introduce new MOT emission limits for some diesel vehicles.

This includes the introduction of testing vehicles to the manufacturer’s plate value, when present along with a new lower default limit for newer vehicles.

2.2 What you need to know

The amended limits to be applied from 20 May 2018 are:

1. First used before July 2008	None turbo	2.5m-1 or plate value if lower
	Turbo	3.0m-1 or plate value if lower
2. First used on or after 1 July 2008	All diesels	1.5m-1 or plate value if lower
3. First used on or after 1 January 2014	All diesels	0.7m-1 or plate value if lower

Note: Plate value is the emission limit specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found on the vehicle manufacturer’s plate. If there’s no emission value on the manufacturer’s plate or it can’t be located, then the alternative default values must be used.

2.3 What you need to do

To enable testing to these new limits, Diesel smoke meters (DSMs) will need to be updated by the implementation date. DVSA is working with the Garage Equipment Association (GEA) and equipment manufactures on the update process.

As an equipment owner, you should contact the equipment manufacture or calibration engineer with questions about update procedures for their equipment.

Example showing a 0.52 plate value

3. MOT annual training and assessments

3.1 Overview

On 1 April 2016, DVSA changed how MOT training’s done.

An annual training programme and an assessment replaced the 5-year MOT tester refresher course.

3.2 What testers need to do before 31 March 2018

As a tester, you must complete this year’s annual training and assessment by Saturday 31 March 2018. Record your training in the training log and your assessment results on the MOT testing service (MTS).

You can find out more from Take MOT tester annual training and assessments.

Make sure you record your assessment result correctly. If you don’t do it properly on the MTS, DVSA will assume that you haven’t done the assessment.

If you don’t complete this year’s annual training and record your results on the MTS by 31 March 2018, you’ll be automatically suspended from testing.

To return to testing after suspension, you’ll need to:

• complete next year’s annual training (2018 to 2019) and assessment
• forward your training log to DVSA
• complete a DVSA observed demonstration test

You’re likely to face delays in being able to start testing again.

3.3 How to record your assessment result

1. Sign into the MOT testing service.

2. Click ‘Your profile’.

3. Click ‘view or add annual assessment certificates’ under the ‘Annual assessments’.

4. Click to add your group A (class 1 and 2 vehicles) or group B (class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicles) assessment certificate.

5. Add your assessment and certificate details, review the details and save them.

3.4 What authorised examiners (AEs) and authorised examiner designated managers (AEDMs) need to do

As an AE or AEDM, it’s your responsibility to make sure that all your testers:

• maintain their knowledge of the MOT service
• complete their annual training and assessment

DVSA will take action against testers who don’t do this on time. Their suspension may have an impact on the operation of your MOT test station.

You should:

• ask each of your testers to show you their training log
• log onto the MTS and check that your testers have completed their assessments

4. Declaration

4.1 Testers

By clicking the green ‘Acknowledge’ button in the MOT testing service you’re confirming that you’re aware that you must complete your annual training and record the assessment certificate details onto the MTS by Saturday 31 March 2018.

You’re also acknowledging that if you haven’t completed your MOT annual training and recorded your assessment on the MTS, you will be suspended from testing on 1 April 2018.

4.2 AEs and AEDMs

By clicking the green ‘Acknowledge’ button in the MOT testing service you’re confirming that all of your testers know that they must complete their annual training and record their annual assessment on the MTS by Saturday 31 March 2018.

You’re also acknowledging that any testers that haven’t completed and recorded their annual training and assessment by 31 March 2018, will be suspended from 1 April 2018. Any tester you suspend will have to:

• complete next year’s annual training and assessment (2018 to 2019)
• forward their training log to DVSA
• complete a DVSA observed demonstration test

They’re likely to face delays in returning to testing.