MoT computer system needs overhaul

Friday, March 24, 2006

Failures of VOSA system dent confidence
Some MoT stations unable to perform tests
Motor industry calls for urgent action

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Urgent action is required to fix the Government's MoT computer system, which has left testing stations unable to complete MoTs.

The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) says two failures of the new Vehicle and Operator Services Agency computer system this March risked putting confidence in the Government body at rock bottom.

Ian Davis Knight of the RMIF said that the partial collapse meant MoT testing stations were unable to perform tests, inconveniencing many motorists.

Davis Knight said that the RMIF understood how such a large-scale system would have teething problems, but added: 'Immediate steps must be taken to improve the system. VOSA cannot continue with a communication system that patently does not go far enough to address the problems when urgent contact with the MoT network is required.

The RMIF says the VOSA claim that only a few testing stations were affected 'does not tally', and is now to embark on a full survey to uncover the extent of the computer failures.

A VOSA spokesman said: 'Computerisation helps to tackle fraud and the menace of uninsured driving. The project has been rolled out across the country with the final garages expected to be operational by the end of March.

'There have been two minor incidents over the past fortnight but motorists should still have received their paper MoTs without delay. Procedures allow for garages to issue paper certificates and to update the database at a later stage. The issues have now been resolved and all garages are back online.'