mot - issue 38 - january 2008

7/27/2019 MoT - Issue 38 - January 2008

1/16

COVER STORY

MOT enquiry line: 0845 600 5977 Matters of Testing | 1

JANUARY 2008

ISSUE 38MOTMOTMATTERS

OFTESTING

For authorised examiners

and testers

Insidethisissue..

.

Spotlight

onforeign

testing

page10

Airsuspension

itsagas!page12

Yourcouncil

needsyou!

page13

Pulling out the stopsWe look at electromechanical parking brakes


2/162| Matters of Testing

From the editor

Contents

Happy New Year!

I hope you all enjoyed yourChristmas break. I am having a

break myself at the moment asI tackle the joys of motherhood,but I am pleased to leave you inthe hands of my trusty colleagueSudeshna, who you will meetnext time round.

I had some very positivefeedback regarding the lastissue and hopefully you wont bedisappointed this time either. We

have articles on electromechanicalparking brakes, appeals andcomplaints and our usual features.

All this and a sneak previewon testing in Romania turn topage 10 to see how two of ourcolleagues got on when theyobserved how Romaniansoperate their PeriodicalTechnical Inspections (PTI)

(their equivalent of our MOT).Were just too good to you!

All the best,

Claire Glave

If you have comments on any of the

articles in this issue of MOTyou can

send your letters to:

Sudeshna SanyalMatters of Testing

VOSA, Berkeley HouseCroydon StreetBristol BS5 0DA

email:

[email protected]

3

4

6

8

10

11

14

13

Ask Alan

News

Taking a brake

Bikes, trikes and quads

The Devils Advocate

Spotlight on

Horror story

The knowledge

T-brake

Registration plate regulationsand changes in VT forms. Plus

the tips

A closer look at electromechanical

parking brakes!

An outline of Combined and Dual

Combined Braking Systems

Testing on foreign shores

this time its Romania.

An ingenious brake-through

for disaster!

Your chance to have your say

as council representatives!

6

12

Your MOT team

Editors

Claire Glave

Sudeshna Sanyal

Head of private vehicles

scheme management

Alan Wilson

MOT standards manager

John Stephenson

MOT standards engineers

John Corcoran

Shaun Martin

Editorial office

VOSA, 4th Floor, Berkeley House,

Croydon Street, Bristol BS5 0DA

Distribution

If you have any problems with

or queries about distribution,

please contact Sudeshna Sanyal.

Email: [email protected]

Produced by COI on behalf

of VOSA. Ref 284874

The views expressed in Matters of

Testingare not necessarily those of

the editorial team of VOSA. While

great care has been taken to ensure

accuracy, VOSA and the editorial

team cannot accept responsibility

for errors or omissions. The content

of this publication should not be

reproduced without the consent

of the editor.

Our engineers share information

on air suspension with you

Bits to unwind you at the

end of a hard day!

The VTS Councils

9

9

12

Alan answers your queries on

exhaust gas analysers

Mixed perspectives on appeals

and complaints.


3/16MOT enquiry line: 0845 600 5977 Matters of Testing | 3

You ask:When are the exhaust gas analysers going to beconnected to the Siemens computer?

Alan says:Im glad you asked because weve just finisheda piece of work to see what more needs to be

done to ensure that all (not just some) exhaustgas analysers (EGAs) communicate as intended.

The 1996 specification EGA was an attempt at future-proofing electronic test equipment so that it couldcommunicate with the computer system we wereplanning to introduce into MOT garages. Althoughwe didnt know it at that time, the computer systemwouldnt arrive until 10 years later, and an awful lothappened in the electronics field during those years.

In 2001 we did some work to see if the EGAs

would communicate with the smart card readers.We found many issues that would have causedsignificant problems, so we ensured that all EGAswere conformity checked.

Once roll-out was well under way we conducted onelast check. We commissioned an independent studyto analyse a sample (18 EGAs in all) that representedalmost 10,000 in use in todays MOT garages.

The study has shown that connecting EGAs is anon-starter. Although they can communicate, they

have problems dealing with errors, which causesthe EGAs to lock up and require rebooting. Wewere able to establish this using technology andequipment available now, but not back in 1996.

Of the 18 tested EGAs we identified 14 withproblems. Projecting these figures on a pro-ratabasis, this represents over 80 per cent of EGAsin garages today.

If we now allowed all EGAs to be connected withoutany changes, there is every chance that the majorityof machines would time-out, need rebooting, send

incorrect data to the smart card, and cause data tobe re-used rather than over-written by the next test.

And most importantly, any nominated tester (NT)wouldnt know there was a problem with the datauntil they got to the MOT computer and would thenhave to repeat the emissions test, not knowing whatthe problem was!

The only way forward would be to rewrite the 1996specification and develop a new approval process,but this is unworkable for many reasons.

Many EGAs may not be capable of upgrading(requiring write-off) or would be horribly expensive tomodify. Garages, equipment manufacturers, the typeapprover and VOSA would incur some significantcosts from any upgrade or replacement programme.

As you can see, this has been an extremely complexproblem with no simple answer. At every stage, usingthe knowledge and expertise of the time, reasonabledecisions were made. With the benefit of hindsightand new knowledge, these decisions may look as if

they were wrong but they werent.

Sorry for going on, but I wanted you to have as fullan explanation to your question as possible.

AskAlanThanksforallthefeedback

!Lookslikemanyof

youenjoyhavingAlanWilsonsknowledgeatyour

fingertips.Thistimearound,Alandealswiththe

complicatedissueofexhaustgasan

alysers.

Alan Wilson is the man in charge of VOSAsmanagement of the MOT scheme. He hasan in-depth understanding of VOSA andthe garage industry. The views Alan expresses

here are his own and he will make it clearwhere they deviate from the official line.

OPINION


4/16

NEWS

are amended. These amendmentsare under way but will take timebefore it is possible to reintroducea fuller check of registration plates.

We dont believe that customerswill have been disadvantaged.This is because the failed plateswerent legal and should havebeen replaced anyway and it isa free re-test item.

Our sincere apologies for the error,and we are working alongside theDepartment for Transport (DfT)to rectify it. We regret all

inconvenience and confusioncaused as a result of this.

Weve slipped up but weve seen the error of our ways!

The registration plate

hokey cokey

Short offering

After a great deal of consultation,

1 October 2007 saw VOSA

change the MOT test to include

a more rigorous check of

registration plate standards.

However, one of our sharp-eyed

legal people spotted that

the specific registration plateregulations dealing with just some

of the new standards werent listed

in our testing regulations. As a

result, they shouldnt be included

in the MOT test yet.

What has resulted from this is the

fact that even though some plates

are illegal, we shouldnt fail them atMOT until the testing regulations

As you will have noticed, a numberof changes were made to theprinting of the VT forms, namelyVT20, VT20W, VT32 and VT32W,in September 2007s systemrelease. These included a series ofXs printed over the approximateyear of first use box and fueltype box as well as some changessuggested by yourselves that weagreed were worth implementing.

For example, some of you told usit would be a good idea for yourphone number to be printed inthe inspection authority box in

addition to your VTS name andaddress, and we agree.

A new version of the forms is nowbeing issued. The Approximateyear of first use and Fuel typeboxes have been removed, andthe box labelled Authenticationnumber has been renamedAdditional information. Thereminder sticker has also hada change and VTS number has

been changed to Test station.The Xs which are currentlybeing printed on the forms willbe permanently removed in the

next system release. In additionto all this, some new equipmenthas been added to the equipmentlist and corrections havebeen made to units that wereincorrectly listed.

If you have VOSA equipment itemson your VTS equipment list, pleasecheck if the equipment for whichthey are a substitute has beenupdated and amend your record

accordingly. For example, an EGAlisted previously as pre-1996 specmay now be correctly shown as1996 spec.

We know you receive regular MOT computerisation releases, but this time were pleased togive you a sneak preview of a release that is coming soon.

4|Matters of Testing



ROUNDUP

Top tips, just for youEver sneaked a look at the household tips that the readers send in at the back of somemagazines? Theyre intended to make your life that little bit easier, and thats got to be agood thing, right? Here goes

Telephone lines

A few sites have recentlyexperienced difficulties using MOTComputerisation after changingtheir telephone line supplier. Thishas resulted in them having to usethe Fallback Service for an extendedperiod of time. If you decide tochange your telephone supplierthere are some requirements that

you have to follow:

The telephone line must be adial-up line.

The telephone line must supportthe Caller Line Identificationfunction.

The telephone line should nothave Call Waiting or Call Answer1571 services activated.

If an alarm product such as BT

Redcare is used, then a separateBT type dial-up line will beneeded to connect to theVTS device.

You can find further details onthis in Section D of your MOTTesting Guide.

Spare smart cards

Remember to make sure yoursites spare smart card has beenactivated way before you need touse it, in case you discover, toolate, a fault with the card. Fordetails on how to activate smartcards follow the instructions inSection K1 of the VTS device UserGuide on your VTS device underthe heading Activate Smart Card.

Section K of your User Guide alsocontains useful instructions onhow to use and return the sparesmart card.

Getting to grips with MOT

Computerisation

The roles on MOT Computerisationallow users to perform specificfunctions and receive certain alerts

and messages. If, for example,the person who orders test slotsin your organisation is going onholiday, its a good idea to givesomeone else the accountmanagement role to enablethem to do this in their absence.

Remember, if someone leavesyour VTS it is your responsibility

to remove them from your listof employees. See Section J1Update User Roles of your VTSdevice User Guide for instructionson how to do this.

Documentation update

Over the last few months wehave been working to reducethe amount of additional

documentation (VT20s, VT30s,VT32s and VT40s) that is beingunnecessarily ordered. A bigthanks to all of you who havereduced the amount you havebeen ordering. Do bear in mindthat every time you order 100 testslots you automatically receive 100VT20s, 50 VT30s, 150 VT40s and16 VT32s.

MOT Comp cracks clocking crime

Working with a local Trading Standards Office in the South East of England weve been able to provideevidence from the MOT Computerisation database for an investigation into vehicle-related crime. As a result,Trading Standards secured three convictions for conspiracy to defraud, and each received a prison sentence.


6/16

COVER FEATURE

Bentley takes the stageBentley were the first manufacturerto approach us after attendingone of our Manufacturer Forums.

They had already issued a dealertechnical communication aboutEPBs on the Bentley ContinentalGT, and we can issue the followingadvice accordingly:

The EPBs cannot be testedusing a decelerometer but can betested on a Roller Brake Tester(RBT), with the rollers runningsingularly or, if using an AutomaticTest Lane (ATL), together.

Make sure the ignition is on, allbrakes are off and the engine is

not running, select neutraland start the roller(s). When theyellow P illuminates, pull theEPB switch. Full parking brake

application should be achievedwith at least three operations ofthe EPB switch. After the test,record the efforts and, with bothrollers stopped, drive the vehicleout. The EPBs should release asthe driving force is applied.

The EPBs can also be releasedby holding the brake pedal downand then operating the EPBswitch. In both cases the EPB

warning light should subsequentlyextinguish, confirming that theEPBs have been released.

Electromechanical parking brakes (EPBs) generally havent caused too many concerns.Erring on the side of caution, however, VOSA have been working with manufacturers and VTSsto identify any issues with these systems that might cause complications at the time of testing.

Taking

abrake


P i c t u

r e c o u

r t e s

y H u

n t e r s

L a

n d

R o v e

r s , B

r i s t o l

TheBentley EPBswitch



COVER FEATURE

It may be necessary to runthe roller(s) for a few secondsbefore the brake applies, butthis method ensures that youare testing the parking brake.

Land Rover comes nextVOSA got in touch with LandRover about a parking brake queryfrom a VTS. Unlike Bentley, LandRover and Range Rover haveopted for a cable system, ratherthan motors on the calipers, whichoperate shoes fitted in the hubs ofthe rear discs (similar to the parkbrake shoes on a Sprinter).

EPBs are only fitted on certainmodels all of which also haveLand Rovers Active Diff. andthey do not recommend usingan RBT for brake testing.

Because it is usual to bed inpark brake shoes after theyvebeen replaced, Land Rover havedevised a program which willallow the park brake to be

operated while the vehicle is inmotion without the ABS kickingin. We can use this programso that the EPBs can be safelytested using a decelerometer.

In the fleshIt all sounds a bit complicated(especially over the phone), butthings became much clearerwhen Land Rover brought avehicle down to Bristol for us toplay with. They took us through theprocedures which were really quitestraightforward. Just to prove it we

tried these out on some other Landand Range Rovers at a later date.

So follow these steps and youshouldnt have any problems.

The bedding mode which willallow a standard decelerometer testof the EPB to be carried out mustbe selected prior to the parkingbrake test. It is activated as follows:

Choosing a suitable location,bring the vehicle to a halt usingthe foot brake.

Apply the EPB.

Depress the brake pedal threetimes and hold down on thethird application (this must becompleted within 10 seconds).

While maintaining pressure on

the foot brake, pull the EPBswitch (located in the centreconsole) four times, then

Press it three times (this must becompleted within 20 seconds)

Mode selection will be indicated onthe instrument panel by a flashingred light, and you will see a modeselection message, which reads:park brake bedding cycle active.

Follow these stepsThe parking brake can now betested using the procedures inSection 3.7B of the InspectionManual using the followingapplication methods:

Apply the EPB by pulling theswitch upwards.

Hold the EPB switch until thevehicle reaches a standstillor maximum decelerationis achieved.

Depress the clutch at a suitablepoint to avoid stalling the engine.

Once the parking brake efficiencytest has been completed, thebedding mode can be deactivatedeither by switching off the ignitionor by driving the vehicle at speedsabove 50kph.

The Vehicle Specific Information(VSI) has now been updated withhow to select bedding mode.TheLandRover EPBswitch

More information inour next issues DVD


8/16

We give you a quick and dirty guide to the

intricacies of Combined Braking and Dual

Combined Braking Systems.

Ittakestwo(baby!)

For some years now motorcyclemanufacturers such as Moto Guzziproduced bikes with a simple

linked braking system.When the rider operated the frontbrake, one caliper was activated.However, operating the rear brakecreated hydraulic pressure, notonly at the rear caliper but alsoat the remaining front unit.

Pretty simple stuff really, onceyou get the hang of it. But whathappens when the same systemis designed by Honda?

Honda style

Currently some 34 per centof Hondas 2007 range ofmotorcycles and scooters arefitted with one of two types oflinked braking system designatedCombined Braking System andDual Combined Braking System.

Combined BrakingSystem (CBS)

This is where the front brake leveroperates the front wheel brakingsystem by applying most of thepistons within multi-piston calipers.However, operation of the footpedal applies the rear wheelbraking (via a proportional valve)and applies the remaining frontcaliper pistons.

A scooter version of CBS

This is where a cable links froma balance bar within the rear

brake lever pivot to the front brakemaster cylinder. At the other end ofthe balance bar is a cable whichoperates the rear wheel braking.

Dual Combined BrakingSystems (DCBS)

This is where operation of eitherthe front brake lever or the footpedal activates the appropriate

system which, via a reaction atthe front left caliper, activates asecondary system which assistsin braking the rear wheel. Theamount of assistance is decidedby a proportional valve dependentupon the input pressure.

Test procedures

From an MOT perspective, thismeans that the initial front brake

effort should be recorded ascontrol 1 and the rear brake, plusthe remaining front brake effort,should be recorded as control 2.

The VTS device will calculate control1 efficiency (front brake lever).Control 2 efficiency is calculatedin the same way but by addingtogether the front and rear brakeefforts to give the total retardingforce before dividing by the weightof the machine plus rider.

There is no means of independentlymeasuring the effort generated by

the secondary system. When usinga roller brake tester, the brake effortis measured independently at eachwheel. This means the effortgenerated by the secondarybrake system will not be assessed.

The gradient, Salter meter (pull-along tester) and plate brake testerwill all activate the secondarysystem, so increasing the brakeeffort generated by each control.

Hence the reason for theintroduction of the decelerometeras a voluntary means of braketesting motorcycles.

BIKES, TRIKES AND QUADS




No

Who in their right mind would appeal or complain

about VOSA to VOSA? As garages and testers wejust cant win.

If we win, that means someone at VOSA got

something wrong and they wont be happy about

us. Well probably end up in the no smoke without

fire box.

If we lose, then that means well probably end up

with a disciplinary and the prospect of being out

of work.

If we win, will we be targeted again for enforcement

activity? Do we go on a hit list? When does targeting

step over the line into victimisation?

Some VOSA staff have real attitude problems and like

to show their authority over us. Garages just cant win

because, one way or another, VOSA will always have

the last word.

Getting a formal warning is a bit like getting a fixed

penalty for speeding. Even if you dont think it was fair,

its less painful to pay the 60 and take the 3 pointsthan appeal it and risk even worse.

Yes

It sounds daft, but VOSA does

welcome appeals or complaintsfrom MOT garages. It shows us

very clearly where our actions are

causing grief and, more importantly,

it gives us the chance to question

ourselves: Were we right? Were we

reasonable? Were we clear enough?

Did we act legally?

If VOSA has done something wrong (or in some

cases, not done something at all) then were happy

to learn from it, put things right and change ourpolicies. Were only human, and sometimes we

do make mistakes!

Many people in the MOT world think that by

appealing or complaining theyll be put on some

sort of hit list or be victimised in some way.

Nothing is further from the truth.

No such list exists and all our staff are expected to

behave professionally, to the standards expected

from public servants, and to be fully accountable.

And dont forget, with the new VOSA targeting

system there is more protection for garages than

ever before. Theres more training for staff and

greater consistency. No-one should be fearful

of complaining to VOSA.

OPINION

Appealing and complaining is it reallyworth it?, might be the question you areasking yourselves. Its what happens whensomething goes wrong, something doesnt

work, youre in trouble or you dont like the wayyouve been treated. Do you appeal or complainto VOSA? Well, yes and no. We take a look


In any of your dealings with VOSA, you should not feel that you will be treatedunfairly if you appeal or complain about us. VOSA is no different to any other

public sector body and we have to act fairly, consistently and to the highestpossible public standards of service. We may not always want to send eachother birthday cards, but we will always have a professional relationship! Wehave a central complaints department in Bristol: 0117 954 3406 will get you there.

The

Devils

Advocate


10/16

Spotlight on

foreign testing

As part of an EU-funded twinningproject, VOSAs Ian Bartlett, MOTCompliance Manager, and JohnStephenson, MOT StandardsManager, recently visited Romania.

The pair were hoping to help theirforeign colleagues by assessingtheir quality systems and helpingthem develop their technical rulesand standards for PeriodicalTechnical Inspections (PTI),which is the Romanian equivalentof our MOT.

So how does their current set-upcompare with ours?

Foreign waysTesting in Romania is undertakenand overseen by the Registrul AutoRoman (RAR) which is effectivelythe equivalent of both VOSA andDVLA. RAR took responsibility forthe scheme in 1998. It is reportedthat testing actually started in 1972but there is no evidence that it wasactually done.

There are approximately 1,000 VTSin the country. Almost 97 per centof these are private garages. TheVTS employ about 3,000 testerswho get a visit from their RAR

vehicle examiner (of which thereare 130) every week! Comparedto our scheme where we test 23million vehicles a year, the RARonly carries out a tenth of that,2.3 million MOT tests, of which

only 1.2 million are carried out atprivate garages. The test frequencyfor cars and light goods vehiclesis 2-2-2.

Testing issues

To be employed as a tester withthe RAR, you must be at least21 years old and qualified as alicensed engineer, auto mechanictechnician or foreman. You should

also have a minimum of threeyears experience or have done asupplementary training course priorto the initial NT training course.

You then undergo four days oftraining, which includes a multiplechoice theory exam, a practicalexamination and essentialcomputer skills. Once you havemet these requirements you arelicensed to test for two years, and

are only re-licensed following atwo-day refresher course.

Enforcing the law

At the time of our initial visit, RARused similar enforcement activitiesto VOSA, like mystery shoppers,re-inspections, observed tests andinspections of premises. They evenhave a disciplinary points system,though this works slightly differently

from ours.

According to their system, theVTS starts with 5.1 points, withdisciplinary action kicking in at 15.

For the VTS, a VE re-inspectionwhen the result is correct will getyou 0.5 points deducted. If a majordefect is found then 0.5 points isadded; 0.25 points is added if itsa minor defect. However, the way

the defect points are added is persystem not per item. So if you misstwo defective tyres, that only countsas one defect.

The number of re-inspections alsodepends on the number of pointsthe VTS has. This is how it works:

15 points = 1 per cent of yourtests re-inspected, that includesretests too

59 points = 3 per cent



Once the VTS reaches 15 pointsits suspended for 30 days, andwhen it resumes work the VTSrestarts on 7.5 points and 5 percent re-inspections.

A life sentenceThink about the poor tester, if theresult of a re-inspection is wrong,i.e. passed where it should havefailed, and there are two or morefaults, he then gets an endorsementon his testers licence and mustundergo re-training. Twoendorsements in one year andyoure flying by the seat of yourpants; three and you are out for life!

Thats the finer details covered. Tofind out what happened when wedid some random site checks, seethe next issue!

SPOTLIGHT


VOSA experts visit Romania to assess how the countrys testers measure up.



HorrorStory

Well, we asked for a bike disasterand Colin Fitch of Predator MotorSports has found us a good un.

To quote Colin: Dad rings up tobook his sons bike in for an MOT.Lad turns up and presents hisSuzuki GS125 for MOT.

Well, what can you say? Not a lotreally, Colin.

Not only has the lad rerouted

the throttle cable inner around theframe and connected it to the brakepedal, hes also wound off the brakeso as to get some throttle action.

To go, press foot brake. To stoppress foot brake furtherdown andengine revs its head off (literally). Arecipe for disaster or what? And, ithappened on the way to the VTS.Honest, guv! Judging by the waythe cable has cut into the frame,the lad had come a long way.

Thats not all. Dad wasnt toopleased about the bike failing eventhough it also failed because the

front brake didnt work. (Well, itmight have, if someone hadnttaken out the brake pads.) Somepeople can do no wrong!

Colin reckons this is probably theworst he has seen in 30 years butweve ceased to be amazed bythe total indifference towardsmaintenance and road safetyshown by some vehicle ownersand presenters.

We are sure you will come acrossmore, so keep the camera handyand send them in for everybodyto see.

Send your horror story pixs to

the editor at the address in the

front of the magazine.

Souped-up bikes and disappearing brake pads What else can we expect in our tale oftrouble in this issue?

HORROR STORY


12/16

HOT TIP

Theknowledge

Up in the airOnce, air suspension was thepreserve of HGVs and PSVs butnow more and more cars andlight commercials have it fitted.Sometimes its an optional extra,but it is increasingly becomingthe standard fitment.

While air suspension improvesthe ride, it doesnt help us whenwe have to jack the vehicle for test.Up goes the chassis, down comesthe suspension but when thechassis is let down the suspensionmay not relocate. So, what do youdo? Well you could look in thevehicle handbook (if its got one)or you could look at the VSI.

Weve had several queries about

new Land Rover and RangeRover air suspension which

was frozen when jacked. Wehave nothing in the VSI at themoment but we will rectify thisat the earliest opportunity.

In the meantime, weve contactedLand Rover who told us not topanic. They sent us someinformation relevant to Land RoverDiscovery 3, Range Rover Sportand Range Rover (2006 on)as follows:

When the air suspension systemon these vehicles is active andthe vehicle is jacked, ExtendedMode is set. Whilst in ExtendedMode, the air suspension systemfreezes all levelling activity becausethe vehicles situation may prevent

normal levelling control. This isNOT a fault condition.

Fine, but how do we reset it? Quitesimple. Use one of two methods:

either use the drivers ride heightselection switch to select therequired ride height or drive thevehicle continuously above 5 kphfor 45 seconds.

On most of these models thelevelling switch is located by thegear lever but on some RangeRovers the switch is on the fascia.

Though VSI is updated at regularintervals, there will be times inbetween when you might needinformation. Our Enquiry Line hasaccess to our database which mayhave further information, so dont

hesitate to get in touch with us on0870 6060 440.

Dear Matters of Testing,As editor of MOT Testing MagazineI have had telephone calls fromsubscribers upset about risk

assessment visits connected withVOSAs traffic light enforcementscheme. Although I have coveredthis subject in my magazine,perhaps of even greater concern isthe reluctance of callers to formallyexpress their views in our Letterspage and to share their experience.They say they are fearful ofupsetting VOSA and getting anunwelcome disciplinary visit.

Although I tell them that in my ownexperience as a testing stationowner this does not happen andI am one of VOSAs fiercest critics,

this does not seem to provide thenecessary reassurance. I wondertherefore if you would publish thisand confirm that such criticism

does not elicit a negative responsefrom VOSA, and that, on thecontrary, you welcome feedbackon any subject concerning theMOT both from AEs and NTs.

Jim Punter, Editor

MOT Testing Magazine

In reponse to Mr Punters letter

we would like to say the following

to all AEs and NTs:

Complaining to VOSA shouldntfrighten anyone. Mr Punter has

been one of our fiercest critics,

yet still runs his MOT garage fairly

peacefully. The truth is that, as

unpleasant as criticism can be,we do learn from it and improve

ourselves, rather than start a

witch-hunt against a complainant.

At the end of the day we are public

servants and have to abide by a

code of behaviour in our dealings

with garages, treating them

professionally and fairly.

So if youve got a beef or a grouse

(or, if vegetarian, a turnip), dont be

shy or fearful about complaining.

But give us enough information

to do something about it!

Editor, MOT

Letters page


See Devils Advocate for more



FEATURE STORY

Yourcouncilneedsyou!

VTS council meetings are a greatplatform for debate and discussion.

Created to encourage a two-waydiscussion of the MOT scheme, itis a way of exchanging views andupdating customers on futurechanges being considered.

The meetings also enable councilmembers to view things fromVOSAs perspective. Memberscontribute to consultation issuesthat arise from time to time, allowingVOSA to get the grassroots views

of the people who do the job.

Great impact

Some of the contributions that haveresulted from council meetings havehad a great impact on the schemeof things, such as the changes tothe re-test procedure and the class5 lightweight.

A council meeting evening consists

of a buffet followed by a smallpresentation and then a question-and-answer session. Anything thatcannot be addressed on the nightis taken away and answers areprovided at a later date.

Last year we reduced thenumber of times the council wasconducted from three times a yearto two, but we countered that byincreasing the geographical areascovered from four to six. This wasa successful move and there arenow more representatives in

more areas than ever before ensuring that we will continue to

use this formula.

Get in touch

If you have any issues to raise ina future council meeting or wouldlike details of locations of meetingsand the specific contact data ofyour area representative, pleaseconsult the VTS council mapaccompanying this magazine.

VOSAs Vehicle Testing Station councils have now been running for a good few years witha great deal of success. We thought this was a good time to remind you of what they areall about and how you can help.

If youre interested in becoming a VTS council representative, we

are still looking for support in Luton, Exeter, Birmingham, Leedsand Edinburgh. Get in touch with us by calling 01454 453332or email us at [email protected]

AVTScouncil meetinginprogressatGatwick


14/16

T-brake

Our latest DVD

The vast majority of AEs and

NTs never come in contact

with VOSAs MOT disciplinary

system, but occasionally

things do go wrong. When

shortcomings are found, the

system is designed to address

the issues, whilst ensuring

consistency and fairness,

regardless of the seriousness

of the case.

Fairs Fair, this issues

DVD, explains the kind of

shortcomings that can lead

to disciplinary action and the

processes that follow, including:

advisory warning letters, formalwarnings and what events can

lead to cessation from testing if

things go seriously wrong.

Also covered is the MOT

disciplinary points system,

statutory appeals procedure

and formal warning reviews.

Christmas is over now and manyof us will be glad not to bechanging tree light bulbs, onceweve found out which one istripping the rest up!

Well, spare a thought for thepoor chap who took his Citron

into Maiden Newton Services,near Dorchester. It failed onABS lamp function and whenthe lads investigated they

found a terminal broken offthe ABS module.

A new module, costing 1,375,cured it, but how did the terminalbreak off? The usual cause iscorrosion but in this instanceMike Andrews tells us that

the presenter gave the gameaway when he said, Its beenlike that ever since I changedthe headlight bulb.

He took the plug off the ABS to

make it easier to fit the bulb and

obviously didnt fit it back on

properly. One very expensive bulb!

Sometimes it pays to leave it to

the experts.

John Corcoran

On the job

Hello, we hear youre VOSAs new MOT

Matters presenter. How did that come

about?

My manager said there was an opportunity

to audition for the job of presenter for the

MOT Matters DVD and asked if I would be

interested. It sounded like a bit of fun and

a chance to see how the films were made

so I went for it!

Have you done this sort of thing before?

A little. I did a couple of outside broadcasts

for the AA when I worked for them and I

have been involved in presentations for

road safety awareness schemes aimed at

school leavers.

Whats your day job, then?

Im a Vehicle Examiner in Liverpool one of

a team of people who are a great source of

support and inspiration. Perhaps one day I

will write a book about them!

If you didnt do this job, what would yoube doing?

I love driving and all things mechanical, andI really enjoy helping people. I think I wouldlike to instruct at an off-road school orwork in improving road safety awareness.

Do you have any funny stories youdlike to share about things that have

happened at work?

I attended a wheel loss incident and thedriver was very upset that the wheel hadcome off, especially as his boss had toldhim to make sure the newly fitted wheelnut indicators were all aligned beforedriving off. The driver told me that theywere OK when he started out and whenhe made his first delivery they had moved,so he took them off and realigned them.This happened at the next two stops andthe next thing he knew was that the wheelhad come off. I just did what the boss toldme, he said. Ho Hum!


60-secondINTERVIEWName:Jake Fawcett

Workplace:VOSA, Liverpool


15/16

Braintea

sers

T-brake


We had loads of entries to Novembers captioncompetition, but the winner was Mike Byatt fromMOTO studio Ltd with this effort:

I knew we shouldnt have let him bring

Ocicat Mog in to film this DVD!

This issues competition requires a bit of aneagle-eye. Can you spot which articles fromthis issue these three pictures come from?

The first correct entry drawn will win a 20 Argosvoucher. Send your entries to: Matters of Testing,VOSA, Berkeley House, Croydon Street, Bristol,BS5 0DA or you can email: [email protected]

Canyouspotus?

1.Rearrangethefollowingletterstomaketwo

different9-letterwords:

A C C E H I M N S

2.Rearrangethefollowingletterstogivethetitle

ofapopularsong:

ECHOINMUDDYLANE

3.Rearrangethelettersofthefollowingphrase

togivethenameofaUSstate:

VIEWINGASTIR

4.Rearrangethefollowingletterstogivethename

of afamoussinger

WESTERNVIDEO

5.Whatdothefollowingwordshaveincommon?

FAST THROUGH DOWN AWAY WATER NECK

6.TakethelettersERGRO.Putthreelettersin

frontofit,andthesamethreelettersatthe

endtoformacommonEnglishword.

7.Whichthreeletterscanbeplacedinfrontof

eachofthesewordstoformanewword?

SPORT SWORD SAGE SABLE TIME

8.Therewasanoldwomanwholivedinashoe,

andtheonlyfoodshehadforhertenchildren

wassixpotatoes.Howdidshemakesurethat

eachchildhadanequalshare?

9.Rearrangethefollowingletterstogivethename

ofapopularmovie:

IFTUNESDOSOMUCH

10.Completethesewordsbyinsertingthesame

threelettersineachone:

ANA___Y CO___NE PRO___UE S__AN

1:MECHANICS,MISCHANCE,2:UNCHAINEDMELODY,3:WESTVIRGINIA,4:STEVIEWONDER,5:TheyalltakeBREAKasaprefixtomakeanewword,

6:UNDERGROUND,7:PAS,8:Mashedthepotatoesandusedaspoon,9:THESOUNDOFMUSIC,10:LOGAnswers


16/16

Rate your Matters of Testing!!!We at Matters of Testingare trying hard to earn your loyalty as readers. Here is a little survey to assess yourinterest in it. All completed entries with names and addresses will be placed in a draw and you could win a20 Argos voucher.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your pens and get going. All the best!!

1. How would you describe Matters of Testing?

Useful:oYesoNo; Informative: oYesoNo; Interesting: oYesoNo

2. What interests you the most?

Ask Alan:oYesoNo; Horror Story: oYesoNo; Features: oYesoNo

Testing Tips:oYesoNo

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Regularly:oYesoNo; Occasionally: oYesoNo; Rarely: oYesoNo

4. Who in your organisation reads the magazine?

Everyone:oYesoNo; Just Testers:oYesoNo; Customers: oYesoNo

5. Tell us in a few words what you want to read about and how can we improve the magazine.

Your name:

Your address:

The 10th anniversary series of our MOT Seminars has already started but there are still plenty of dates

available for you to play an active role in them. The seminars tell you about what weve all achieved andgive you an insight into the future for MOT testing as well as the opportunity to talk freely to VOSA staffand other colleagues in the MOT trade. So if you want to come along, visit www.transportoffice.gov.uk/motseminars2008for more details. See you there!

mot - issue 38 - january 2008

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