Guidance

Using MOT test quality information: guidance for MOT managers

Published 10 October 2018

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

1. Overview

Test quality information is data about the MOT tests that your testers have carried out. Use it as a starting point to monitor their standards of testing.

There are 2 types of information that you can get from the MOT testing service:

• MOT test quality information - a summary of failure rates at your sites
• MOT test logs - a record of every MOT test carried out at your sites

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) uses this information when preparing for site visits.

2. MOT test quality information

2.1 What information you can get

You can view:

• the number of tests your site has carried out
• the number of tests each of your testers has carried out
• the average age of vehicle tested
• failure rates for your testers and each of your sites, and the national fail rate
• test durations
• component failure rates

2.2 Test groups

Test quality information is displayed by test groups. The groups are:

• group A for vehicle classes 1 and 2
• group B for vehicle classes 3, 4, 5 and 7

Each vehicle group tested at your site will be displayed separately. After selecting the site you want to review, the initial screen will show data for the last full month. You can also view the last 3 full months.

The screen also displays this information for each tester associated with the site within the selected date range.

2.3 Review multiple sites

You can view information for each of your sites by site name. These are normally listed on the right-hand side of your screen after you sign in.

2.4 What formats you can use the information in

You can:

• view it in the MOT testing service as a webpage
• download it as a comma-separated values (CSV) file

A CSV file is a basic type of spreadsheet that sets out information in tables, and opens in most spreadsheet software.

2.5 How to access information

1. Sign in to the MOT testing service.

2. Click the site you want to view (your sites are normally listed on the right-hand side of the screen).

3. Click Test quality information.

4. Select a date range. You can view data for the last month or the last 3 months.

5. Click Update the results.

6. Click Download CSV file.

The CSV contains both the site overview figures and the component breakdown details for all testers. It alsp shows the site and national averages.

3. MOT test logs

3.1 What information you can get

You can view test logs for your sites and testers on the portal for a specific:

• day
• week
• month (maximum 31 days)

The test logs provide information on the:

• date and time of the test
• vehicle registration mark (VRM)
• vehicle make and model
• user and site ID
• test result

You can also download a CSV file that includes extra information about:

• internet protocol (IP) addresses (these are unique numbers that are linked to all online activity from computers)
• test numbers
• vehicle identification numbers (VINs)
• test classes
• test durations
• contingency codes
• dates and times contingency tests have been recorded

3.2 What formats you can use the information in:

You can:

• view it in the MOT testing service as a webpage
• download it as a CSV file

3.3 How to access the information

1. Sign in to the MOT testing service.

2. Click the site you want to view (your sites are normally listed on the right-hand side of the screen).

3. Click Test logs.

4. Select a date range. You can view data for a specific day, a week (Monday to Sunday), or month (maximum 31 days).

5. Click Update the results.

6. Click Download CSV file.

4. How to interpret the information

Your testers’ pass rates might be higher or lower than the site or national average. That does not automatically mean anything is wrong with their testing standard.

You and your testers should regularly review this data. Look into any unusual differences, investigate any issues and record the outcome.

DVSA will also use this information when preparing for site visits.

4.1 Factors to take into account

When you review the CSV data check the details against your appointment records to make sure they match. These checks should include:

• the date and time of the test
• the vehicle registration mark (VRM)
• vehicle make and model
• user ID control activity
• test status and type
• IP address
• test duration
• date and time a contingency test is recorded
• user ID of tester recording contingency test

You can use filters on the CSV spreadsheet to help you view specific bits of data.

These example shows how to use filters in Microsoft Excel. Other spreadsheet software might have different controls to sort and filter data. Check the software’s help section if you’re not sure.

Example 1: Use filters to show tests that have been aborted

1. Download the CSV file you want to review.

2. Click Sort and filter on the menu tabs at the top of your screen. This will bring down a drop-down menu.

3. Click Filter. A downward arrow will appear next to all the column titles.

4. Click the downward arrow next to Result (column L) and a drop-down menu will appear.

5. Unselect Select all.

6. Select Aborted and click Ok.

You now have a list of aborted tests that you can check against the vehicle MOT records at your site.

Check if there’s a legitimate reason the test was aborted. Investigate further if it’s not clear why.

Example 2: Use filters to search for short tests where the vehicle received a pass but it was not a retest

1. Download the CSV file you want to review.

2. Click Sort and filter on the menu tabs at the top of your screen. This will bring down a drop-down menu.

3. Click Filter. A downward arrow will appear next to all the column titles.

4. Click the downward arrow next to Test type (column K) and a drop-down menu will appear.

5. Unselect Select all.

6. Select Normal and click Ok.

7. Click the downward arrow next to Result (column L) and a drop-down menu will appear.

8. Unselect Select all.

9. Select Passed and click Ok.

10. Click the downward arrow next to Test duration (column M) and a drop-down menu will appear.

11. Select Sort smallest to largest.

You now have a list of tests by duration (shortest to longest), where the vehicle received a pass. Investigate any tests that you consider to be short.

Check the vehicle MOT records at your site to see if there’s a valid reason why the test was so short. For example, if it was a retest and has been recorded incorrectly. Investigate further if it’s not clear.