The DVSA has announced that it is working on a number of changes and ‘temporary workarounds’ for its new MOT testing service which is currently being used by more than 16,000 garages across the country.
Last week’s MOT ‘Comp 2’ chaos sparked outrage among testing stations with many describing it as ‘unfit-for-purpose’ as they struggled to contact the DVSA, despite official advice.
Director of the Independent Garage Association, Stuart James said: “We do not think that the DVSA has communicated very well to the trade during this difficult time and their slow updates on websites, social media and poor telephone response via their helpline has been a case in point.
“Once the dust has settled, there will be a number of questions to be answered but in the meantime, we will continue to work with them to ensure that the trade can continue to carry out MOT testing for the public.”
Apologising for any inconvenience, the agency has said it will be making the public aware of the changes it has been making to the system and maintain that the known issues are temporary.
Until August 31, 2015, garages will now be emailed contingency codes every day for use in the event of further system outage.
Known issues with the MOT testing service
| DVSA known issues | DVSA workarounds |
| You can’t print a duplicate MOT certificate. | Refer customers to a garage still using the old MOT Comp system or contact the DVSA on 0300 123 9000 – they can issue duplicates for a £10 fee. |
| You can’t carry out a restest. | If the problem is within the first 10 working days of using the new service you should carry out the retest as normal and record it as a full test as a temporary measure. After this 10 working day window, can carry out retests as normal within the new MOT testing service and record them as retests. |
| Non-component advisories are missing from the service. | Enter a manual advisory until the issue is fixed. |
| Historic odometer readings are missing from the service. | The issue is being fixed, but there’s no workaround. |
| Contingency tests are recorded in the service as having been carried out at 1am on the day of the test. | The issue is being fixed, but there’s no workaround. |
| Small text font. | Check your printer settings. These should be set for A4 paper, in black and white. Contact your IT supplier if you have any further problems. |
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “The problems are causing staff at some garages a real headache, with motorists having to make do with hand-written MOT certificates until the problem has been solved.
“Our advice to motorists is to check the date of their next MOT – and not leave getting their car to the garage until the very last minute.”
Many motorists were last week left unable to drive their cars while the new MOT system remain non-operational.
‘Ten years of contingency numbers’
Richard West, owner of Apolo Motor Services in Fareham, Hampshire, told GW: “The first day we had it was a nightmare, they told us to phone them to get a contingency number in the event of the system going down but they wouldn’t answer the phone.
“Eventually after three hours, I got through to someone who told me they’ve got ten years of contingency numbers on a sheet.
“The DVSA told me the system is nothing to do with them, they employ an IT firm to look after it.
“It was a complete and utter joke, it could have been planned so much better.
“The absolute worst thing about it all was that they told me the system never worked in trial.”
Lack of confidence in the system
David Reynolds, owner of D F Reynolds told GW that he watched the new system get progressively worse as more garages made the switch.
He said: “I could see what was going to be. It’s been a real inconvenience, it’s been disappointing too.
“It seems like they’ve been working to a time and would have made the system live, whether they were ready or not.
“I’ll be a bit happier if we can get to Friday without any problems, I just haven’t got any confidence in it yet.”
Mr West added that he’s in no doubt that the problematic switch over has lost his business money.
He said: “My phone bill is going to be astronomical, we’ve had to cancel MOT tests because we couldn’t carry them out and the DVSA wouldn’t answer the phone.
“Our MOT customers have ended up going somewhere else, somewhere still on the old system.
“It was an absolute nightmare.”
Are you still experiencing problems with the new MOT testing service? Leave your comments, share your concerns and let us know how the switch over ‘glitches’ have affected your business.
SONIA
Its the lack of communication that annoys me. The first time the errors occurred I called and was on hold for 1 hour then for a message to say all callers are busy and put the phone down.
Its a joke….so many MOT’s turned away.
SONIA
Its the lack of communication that annoys me. The first time the errors occurred I called and was on hold for 1 hour then for a message to say all callers are busy and put the phone down.
Its a joke….so many MOT’s turned away.
David
Hi all, we started on comp 2 the beginning of the month. My garage is over 30 years old and normally August is one of our best months for mots but this month has been the worst ever. One thing annoys me is that the large franchises are still on the old system which is very unfair, why should the small garages like mine suffer first?
David
Hi all, we started on comp 2 the beginning of the month. My garage is over 30 years old and normally August is one of our best months for mots but this month has been the worst ever. One thing annoys me is that the large franchises are still on the old system which is very unfair, why should the small garages like mine suffer first?
WESTERLEIGH CAR CENTRE BRISTOL
Two days this week,no access to the system,it we tested vehicles in the same manner we would be struck off.
Having two ATL bays,you can imagine the backlog of paperwork we have.
All has to be feed onto the system when the system is back up and running.We have been unable to use the system for most of the time we have been live,
complete and utter joke is this new system.
Neil Skuse Westerleigh Car Centre Bristol.
WESTERLEIGH CAR CENTRE BRISTOL
Two days this week,no access to the system,it we tested vehicles in the same manner we would be struck off.
Having two ATL bays,you can imagine the backlog of paperwork we have.
All has to be feed onto the system when the system is back up and running.We have been unable to use the system for most of the time we have been live,
complete and utter joke is this new system.
Neil Skuse Westerleigh Car Centre Bristol.
jon
We are due for our switchover tomorrow 26/8/15. We have suggested to dvsa to postpone all switchovers until this system is able to function correctly, as more stations only compound the issue. Guess what, no reply! But then I didn’t really expect one, if only the civil service did a common sense test when interviewing people for jobs, but that would be using common sense!
jon
We are due for our switchover tomorrow 26/8/15. We have suggested to dvsa to postpone all switchovers until this system is able to function correctly, as more stations only compound the issue. Guess what, no reply! But then I didn’t really expect one, if only the civil service did a common sense test when interviewing people for jobs, but that would be using common sense!
Jacqui Honour
Having read all of this and heard from other local garages – we are very nervous – our switchover is tomorrow and i have no confidence in the system yet.
Jacqui Honour
Having read all of this and heard from other local garages – we are very nervous – our switchover is tomorrow and i have no confidence in the system yet.
DAVID COE GARAGE SERVICES COE
The switch over has been a complete disaster, the first three days we were unable to print off any contingency forms. We could not speak to any one to help us, and now paperwork is building up. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!
DAVID COE GARAGE SERVICES COE
The switch over has been a complete disaster, the first three days we were unable to print off any contingency forms. We could not speak to any one to help us, and now paperwork is building up. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!
Duncan Brasted
We have been on Comp 2 since the beginning of the month, when contingency has been in place, we knew in advance and implemented it. No customers have gone elsewhere and those with contingency certificates know full well that we will put their vehicles on to the system when is back up. The contingency certificate clearly states that it is a legal document. We are the third generation of a 70 year old company and with every evolution of the MOT system we have coped, this is no different.
Duncan Brasted
We have been on Comp 2 since the beginning of the month, when contingency has been in place, we knew in advance and implemented it. No customers have gone elsewhere and those with contingency certificates know full well that we will put their vehicles on to the system when is back up. The contingency certificate clearly states that it is a legal document. We are the third generation of a 70 year old company and with every evolution of the MOT system we have coped, this is no different.
Taz ahmed Mr mechanic car care center
Been on comp2 3 weeks now. First 2 weeks have been a nightmare, made us look highly unprofessional and we had to turn work away. This week so far so good but somehow don’t think we’ve heard the last of it, maybe dvsa should have employed a more competent IT firm!
Taz ahmed Mr mechanic car care center
Been on comp2 3 weeks now. First 2 weeks have been a nightmare, made us look highly unprofessional and we had to turn work away. This week so far so good but somehow don’t think we’ve heard the last of it, maybe dvsa should have employed a more competent IT firm!
Jo Jenkins
Why do these government led organisations always fail in tasks like this. Is it because we the small business community always seem to have to pick up the pieces at considerable expense and time to us. I am amazed that this fiasco was not plastered all over the national press.
Jo Jenkins
Why do these government led organisations always fail in tasks like this. Is it because we the small business community always seem to have to pick up the pieces at considerable expense and time to us. I am amazed that this fiasco was not plastered all over the national press.
Jason
I ditto most of the comments. It was the lack of information and not knowing what the fault was. What I will say is the failure of the system and lack of paper work did not stop me carrying out my MOT duties. We have always had a contingency code. It was a time consuming job entering them in when it was finally working. I think DVSA should be issuing credits to us all on the new system.
Jason
I ditto most of the comments. It was the lack of information and not knowing what the fault was. What I will say is the failure of the system and lack of paper work did not stop me carrying out my MOT duties. We have always had a contingency code. It was a time consuming job entering them in when it was finally working. I think DVSA should be issuing credits to us all on the new system.
Alan twitchett
Yes a bit miffed at times but hopefully all will settle down. Why not cheer every one up with some free slots to make up for lost revenue and phone calls? We all need it to work so a little give and take is needed don’t you agree???
Alan twitchett
Yes a bit miffed at times but hopefully all will settle down. Why not cheer every one up with some free slots to make up for lost revenue and phone calls? We all need it to work so a little give and take is needed don’t you agree???
phil
it has completely undermined the mot in my view ,no printed copy of the mot in progress car tested then at the end cant print out documents ,then problems trying to find the previous test ,no update calibrations nothing itsmay as well have disposed of everything and gone back to the sixtys a quick check over and an handwritten pass at the end ,you can now log on and do a test from any ware in the country no trace of the vehicle ever been at the station ,when their was a dedicated telephone number fraud was harder as staff had to be on site its a money saving exercise its wrong and its going to lead too many fraudulent mots the paper isn’t worth the paper its written on within month customers will be able to crack the system and pass their vehicle on an iPhone getting on to the mot site is simply live recordable video has got to come to stop fraud
phil
it has completely undermined the mot in my view ,no printed copy of the mot in progress car tested then at the end cant print out documents ,then problems trying to find the previous test ,no update calibrations nothing itsmay as well have disposed of everything and gone back to the sixtys a quick check over and an handwritten pass at the end ,you can now log on and do a test from any ware in the country no trace of the vehicle ever been at the station ,when their was a dedicated telephone number fraud was harder as staff had to be on site its a money saving exercise its wrong and its going to lead too many fraudulent mots the paper isn’t worth the paper its written on within month customers will be able to crack the system and pass their vehicle on an iPhone getting on to the mot site is simply live recordable video has got to come to stop fraud
mark
Really annoys me that they claim its not their fault. Who us in charge of mot scheme, on home page they state run by dvsa, amazing a vt can make minor discrepancies get hauled over the coals yet this lot are aloud to disrupt the whole scheme, double standards as usual.
mark
Really annoys me that they claim its not their fault. Who us in charge of mot scheme, on home page they state run by dvsa, amazing a vt can make minor discrepancies get hauled over the coals yet this lot are aloud to disrupt the whole scheme, double standards as usual.
john
been working reasonably well since last tuesday until this morning! worked ok first thing then tried to log on to put in pass details , message saying not working due to planned maintenance – try again later ! what good is that.
john
been working reasonably well since last tuesday until this morning! worked ok first thing then tried to log on to put in pass details , message saying not working due to planned maintenance – try again later ! what good is that.
Anonymous
in reply to Alan Twitchet Compensation, Really?? so do we all really thing that DVSA will give us money back when half the country are giving away the mot or at a cut price so as to con the public into false repairs, I think you will find they will say you don’t value what we have given you already, you can make your money up by charging the correct fee that’s why the mot fee hasn’t been increased for the last few years
Anonymous
in reply to Alan Twitchet Compensation, Really?? so do we all really thing that DVSA will give us money back when half the country are giving away the mot or at a cut price so as to con the public into false repairs, I think you will find they will say you don’t value what we have given you already, you can make your money up by charging the correct fee that’s why the mot fee hasn’t been increased for the last few years
steve kerslake
Been live for 6 weeks and the system is not fit for purpose and a system designed to handle 16,000 user is not a lot of good for over 20,000 test stations. Yet again today no system and no idea when back on, when entering catch up paperwork the original testers name does not get entered.
steve kerslake
Been live for 6 weeks and the system is not fit for purpose and a system designed to handle 16,000 user is not a lot of good for over 20,000 test stations. Yet again today no system and no idea when back on, when entering catch up paperwork the original testers name does not get entered.
Taz ahmed Mr mechanic car care center
Well think spoke to soon system down again today although we did manage to log on and off an mot only took 3 hours WHAT A JOKE!!!!
Taz ahmed Mr mechanic car care center
Well think spoke to soon system down again today although we did manage to log on and off an mot only took 3 hours WHAT A JOKE!!!!
Steve
Hi all can some one please tell me if another tester can do the catch up mots for the person that carried out the contingency test. I know we can all do re tests for one another, but the original test is logged on the data base.
Steve
Hi all can some one please tell me if another tester can do the catch up mots for the person that carried out the contingency test. I know we can all do re tests for one another, but the original test is logged on the data base.
David Sims
It has not been possible to use it for most of today
David Sims
It has not been possible to use it for most of today
Steve
Going home now had enough
Steve
Going home now had enough
Alan
Went on new system today. What a PAIN! Taken all day to do 1 new m.o.t.
Had to do others on contingency test. Every time it won`t let me even log on.
It is one of our most busiest times for m.o.t`s.
Going home! Hope it improves tomorrow!
A AND P
We have stopped booking mots until they sort this out. We have also been told to watch out for Friday as all remaining mot stations are going live on the new system……….oh boy that should be fun !
Alan
Went on new system today. What a PAIN! Taken all day to do 1 new m.o.t.
Had to do others on contingency test. Every time it won`t let me even log on.
It is one of our most busiest times for m.o.t`s.
Going home! Hope it improves tomorrow!
A AND P
We have stopped booking mots until they sort this out. We have also been told to watch out for Friday as all remaining mot stations are going live on the new system……….oh boy that should be fun !
Denis Jenkins
Today has been another total nightmare on the new system, we couldn’t complete any tests without some problem or other and then the system crashed altogether. I think it is absolutely scandalous that the system is still being rolled out obviously to a deadline even though they now it isn’t anywhere near fit for purpose yet. All testing stations should put a claim in for loss of revenue and for the sheer bloody mindedness of the powers that be.
Denis Jenkins
Today has been another total nightmare on the new system, we couldn’t complete any tests without some problem or other and then the system crashed altogether. I think it is absolutely scandalous that the system is still being rolled out obviously to a deadline even though they now it isn’t anywhere near fit for purpose yet. All testing stations should put a claim in for loss of revenue and for the sheer bloody mindedness of the powers that be.
Gordon Mcisaac
Really getting concerned as were ment to go live on Friday too ????
Gordon Mcisaac
Really getting concerned as were ment to go live on Friday too ????
Taz ahmed Mr mechanic car care center
The system is probably being rolled out because the IT company won’t get paid there bonus itl be in contract to get it out by a certain date regardless of all the problems its causing!!
Taz ahmed Mr mechanic car care center
The system is probably being rolled out because the IT company won’t get paid there bonus itl be in contract to get it out by a certain date regardless of all the problems its causing!!
steve
It’s a real joke, reminds me of trying to get some tickets for take that off ticketmaster and the servers couldn’t cope, also I’ve been stuck on two tests which I couldn’t log the results so had to issue contingency test certificate, my average test time is now over four and a half hours, lol,
Charlotte Jones
Printed one test of this morning that was done yesterday and that’s it !!!!!! The system has crashed again , Yet another fun day ahead …………… Anybody want to buy an mot bay ?
Taz ahmed Mr mechanic car care center
How much? Lol
Charlotte Jones
I am with you there Taz , that’s all you can do is laugh, crying isn’t working anyway!
steve
It’s a real joke, reminds me of trying to get some tickets for take that off ticketmaster and the servers couldn’t cope, also I’ve been stuck on two tests which I couldn’t log the results so had to issue contingency test certificate, my average test time is now over four and a half hours, lol,
Charlotte Jones
Printed one test of this morning that was done yesterday and that’s it !!!!!! The system has crashed again , Yet another fun day ahead …………… Anybody want to buy an mot bay ?
Taz ahmed Mr mechanic car care center
How much? Lol
Charlotte Jones
I am with you there Taz , that’s all you can do is laugh, crying isn’t working anyway!
David Reynolds D F Reynolds Garage Ltd
Taken me from 8:05am until 8:59am to log off a fail from yesterday morning and a contingency re test from yesterday.
I don’t think a so called third world country could get it so wrong. It’s not often that I could say I’m happy to have no tests booked today.
Good luck for today everybody.
David Reynolds D F Reynolds Garage Ltd
Taken me from 8:05am until 8:59am to log off a fail from yesterday morning and a contingency re test from yesterday.
I don’t think a so called third world country could get it so wrong. It’s not often that I could say I’m happy to have no tests booked today.
Good luck for today everybody.
Steve
Average time for one of our testers is 8 hours 32 min can any one beat that !!
Steve
Average time for one of our testers is 8 hours 32 min can any one beat that !!
rashid ahmed
I entered re-test results in last night but couldn’t get to print. I wanted register a car for test this morning but it came on the screen enter result for retest which was the car I entered the results in last night. This morning it’s taking long time again to register. If we make a mistake, they be on us like brick.
rashid ahmed
I entered re-test results in last night but couldn’t get to print. I wanted register a car for test this morning but it came on the screen enter result for retest which was the car I entered the results in last night. This morning it’s taking long time again to register. If we make a mistake, they be on us like brick.
Ian
I think the system was not properly thought out. we have been made to buy a system to their specification. but they haven’t provided the system which is fit for use. Surely we must be entitled to some sort of compensation?
Ian
I think the system was not properly thought out. we have been made to buy a system to their specification. but they haven’t provided the system which is fit for use. Surely we must be entitled to some sort of compensation?
gerry
Another day of nightmare testing. Dvsa have a lot to answer for
gerry
Another day of nightmare testing. Dvsa have a lot to answer for
paul
hi yes its been a nightmare,but here,s a thing .when the old system came in we were of line for a few days,i sent a letter to vosa and threatened to take them to court for lost income ,guess what I got 2 cheques mounting up to £900 so I shall be doing the same in this case, I just thought I would be cheeky and it paid off
paul
hi yes its been a nightmare,but here,s a thing .when the old system came in we were of line for a few days,i sent a letter to vosa and threatened to take them to court for lost income ,guess what I got 2 cheques mounting up to £900 so I shall be doing the same in this case, I just thought I would be cheeky and it paid off