Shock as DVSA is awarded for new MOT system despite major problems

DVSA gets award for MOT modernisation 'success' but test stations are questioning if they should have accepted it

Shock as DVSA is awarded for new MOT system despite major problems
Test stations across the country were left in the dark last year after the new MOT Testing Service suffered serious problems during the first few weeks.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) MOT modernisation programme has won a partnership working award in collaboration with Kainos after it “successfully switched all MOT garages in Great Britain over to the new MOT testing service”.

DVSA MOT group service manager, Alex Fiddes, said: “I’m thrilled that our joint efforts to successfully develop and introduce a modern service for MOT garages and testers has been recognised by this award.”

However, the award has already angered some test stations who were forced to endure major problems last year during the switchover process.

‘Deluded’

Andrew Jones of A and P Vehicle Services in South Wales, contacted GW to express his outrage and questioned whether the DVSA should have accepted the award.

He said: “I cannot believe how detached from reality and deluded the DVSA are.

“I really feel so angry about this and instead of someone being held to account for the stress and anger caused during the switchover they have just ignored us again and given themselves a pat on the back.

“A number of garages were almost forced to close.”

Serious issues

Vehicle examiners reported serious issues with the new MOT testing service during the initial roll-out.

Problems included system speed, error messages and even prolonged periods of downtime.

The DVSA’s head of MOT modernisation, Neil Barlow, later apologised saying: “The early days of the new MOT testing service haven’t gone as well as planned and we apologise for that.

“We’ve been as disappointed as you about the way the service has started.”

Nightmare

Speaking to GW last year following the switchover, Richard West, owner of Apolo Motor Services in Fareham, Hampshire, said: “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.”

More than 31.5 million tests have now been recorded on the new service since September when all MOT stations were officially switched over onto the digital system.

DVSA and Kainos won the ‘Cross-Sector Digital Collaboration’ award for “successfully developing a digital service” at the DL100 Awards, which recognises achievements in the digital industry.

Fiddes received the award on behalf of DVSA at the Digital Leaders event held in London on Wednesday 15 June.

Were you shocked to learn that the DVSA has been awarded for its MOT modernisation programme? Please leave your comments and experiences below.

20 Comments

  1. You couldn’t make it up. DVSA should be ashamed of themselves for accepting this award. The garages involved in the initial modernisation roll out suffered undue hardship and should have been recompensed for the loss of business incurred by their incompetence.

    Reply
  2. You couldn’t make it up. DVSA should be ashamed of themselves for accepting this award. The garages involved in the initial modernisation roll out suffered undue hardship and should have been recompensed for the loss of business incurred by their incompetence.

    Reply
  3. DVSA are a joke. I had to phone DVSA and tell them their system was down. I have their tech guy’s phone number and he was in a meeting with his bosses at Bristol and they did not know their system was down. Guess who i had to tell his system was down, Neil Barlow no less. All he said was we have not been notified the system was down their in charge.

    Reply
  4. DVSA are a joke. I had to phone DVSA and tell them their system was down. I have their tech guy’s phone number and he was in a meeting with his bosses at Bristol and they did not know their system was down. Guess who i had to tell his system was down, Neil Barlow no less. All he said was we have not been notified the system was down their in charge.

    Reply
  5. Who are DL100 are they from planet earth, the switch over was a total shambles.

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  6. Who are DL100 are they from planet earth, the switch over was a total shambles.

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  7. How in hells name can they get a award for making such a total balls up of the change over?

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  8. How in hells name can they get a award for making such a total balls up of the change over?

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  9. An award? There should have been some heads rolling both for the instability of the system and the way they handled the early troubles.

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  10. An award? There should have been some heads rolling both for the instability of the system and the way they handled the early troubles.

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  11. How nice of the DVSA to send us all an email telling us of the award and the success of the switchover ! Unbelievable the amount of arrogance this incompetent department has. Never mind award give us all an apology, the stress caused during the switchover was unbearable with customers in tears because they could not tax vehicles because the mots were not logged , Shame on you DVSA .

    Reply
  12. How nice of the DVSA to send us all an email telling us of the award and the success of the switchover ! Unbelievable the amount of arrogance this incompetent department has. Never mind award give us all an apology, the stress caused during the switchover was unbearable with customers in tears because they could not tax vehicles because the mots were not logged , Shame on you DVSA .

    Reply
  13. Next week the same committee will be giving Steve Wonder a lifetime award for bird spotting!!!

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  14. Next week the same committee will be giving Steve Wonder a lifetime award for bird spotting!!!

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  15. Just sums it all what a. Shower of s—

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  16. Just sums it all what a. Shower of s—

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  17. I think the result of the E.U vote today has shown that people have had enough of being pushed around by organisations and government departments who ignore peoples views and opinions . The tied is changing DVSA stop implementing new ill thought out ideas and consult us the actual mot testers who your supposed to be helping . I would also like to see ALL of the qualifications of the mot trainers to see how many have actual mechanical history and are qualified to the same standard as us , also how often are they sitting exams ? every year as we now have too? As they say who polices the police? Keep pushing DVSA we will start pushing back ..

    Reply
  18. I think the result of the E.U vote today has shown that people have had enough of being pushed around by organisations and government departments who ignore peoples views and opinions . The tied is changing DVSA stop implementing new ill thought out ideas and consult us the actual mot testers who your supposed to be helping . I would also like to see ALL of the qualifications of the mot trainers to see how many have actual mechanical history and are qualified to the same standard as us , also how often are they sitting exams ? every year as we now have too? As they say who polices the police? Keep pushing DVSA we will start pushing back ..

    Reply
  19. Charlotte Jones sums it up, It almost brought this small garage to a position where we had to close, we are only trading because I would not give up on MY customers. However the continued mess DVSA are making of the MOT system (training etc) has regrettably forced my hand and Im sure the DVSA will be so very pleased to know Im throwing in the towel at the end of the year. I would urge all small garage owners to consider if they have sufficient funds to call it quits and retire. After all we know from experience IT IS only going to get WORSE.

    Reply
  20. Charlotte Jones sums it up, It almost brought this small garage to a position where we had to close, we are only trading because I would not give up on MY customers. However the continued mess DVSA are making of the MOT system (training etc) has regrettably forced my hand and Im sure the DVSA will be so very pleased to know Im throwing in the towel at the end of the year. I would urge all small garage owners to consider if they have sufficient funds to call it quits and retire. After all we know from experience IT IS only going to get WORSE.

    Reply

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