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Setup Not to Fail
Tradespeople have been told to keep number plates clean and check tyres and seatbelts before an MOT or their van could fail the test. Experts at Lease...
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Slow Go And No Show For MOT Test Stations
New research has shown that on average there are 642 vehicles to one MOT test station in the UK. The massive shortage is causing increasing pressure on mechanics and drivers.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recently reported a decline in the number of MOT authorised vehicle testing stations (VTSs) operating in the UK. The availability of test centres has been dropping steadily in recent years. From 2020-2021, the number was at its lowest since 2016.
Growth in vehicles
MOT test stations are essential for drivers. Without them, a huge proportion of the country’s cars would not legally be on the road. Over the past 25 years, the amount of cars in Great Britain has risen 39.6%. If growth continues at the same pace, there could be 45 million cars on roads by 2045.
Gone south
Gophr, the same day courier service, has conducted research to uncover where in the UK has a shortage of VTSs, meaning that not only will nominated testers (NTs) be overstretched and struggling to meet demand in these areas, drivers will be forced to travel out of their local area just to get an MOT test.
To find this information, the company looked at data shared by the DVSA and calculated the number of cars per MOT testing stations and testers throughout the UK.
The analysis revealed that Bromley, in south London was the area with the highest concentration of cars for every test centre – there are 2,436 cars for every test centre, which puts immense pressure on all 59 centres to service and get cars back on the road. Sutton, also a town located in south London, had a similarly high concentration, with 2,073 cars for every MOT test centre.
Leeds
This was followed by the Yorkshire city of Leeds, which had 1,722 vehicles to every MOT outlet, meaning it is likely locals will have to travel a long way out of their local area for their annual MOT and test centres may be greatly struggling to meet demand. Fourth on the list was the Scottish town of Lerwick, which is the main town and port of Shetland. Here, there are over 1,600 cars per MOT test centre.
The 10 most concentrated towns and cities, based on the number of vehicles to MOT test stations and testers, according to Gophr are:
1. Bromley: 2,436
2. Sutton: 2,073
3. Leeds: 1,722
4. Lerwick: 1,670
5. Slough: 1,624
6. Wigan: 1,580
7. Sunderland: 1,433
8. Milton Keynes: 1,425
9. Stockport: 1,392
10. North Lanarkshire and Motherwell: 1,284
Norwich wins
Of all the areas analysed in the study, the easiest place for drivers to book in an MOT at late notice was Norwich. Here there are only 158 cars per MOT centre.
ULEZ
With the introduction of an expanded Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) in London, drivers may be forced to either sell their vehicles or get their cars serviced outside of the capital to avoid the £12.50 daily charge. This will negatively affect the MOT centres in London, who will find that they receive less business due to lower demand whilst also increasing pressures on centres outside of the ULEZ zone.
North-west London – which includes the boroughs Barnet, Harrow, Hillingdon, Brent, Ealing – had almost 5,000 cars to one MOT test centre and was the most concentrated overall. East London (Tower Hamlets, Newham, Greenwich, Bexley and Lewisham) had the lowest concentration overall with 2,627 cars per MOT centre.
Graham Smith, strategic accounts director at Gophr, says: “We know from our research that mechanics are under increasing pressure and the closing of MOT test stations combined with the demand from the number of vehicles is presenting a challenging situation.”
Picture: MOT testing stations are under pressure.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
28th November 2023