Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what checks are in place to ensure that MOTs are conducted properly; and what action is taken if they are not.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) conduct a number of different activities to monitor the quality of testing at MOT Garages. These range from re-inspecting vehicles that have just been tested through to conducting mystery shopper type activities.

DVSA use a mechanism to target its resource to those MOT Garages that present the greatest risk profile. The type of activity conducted is based on that which is best suited for the identified risk. These activities can range from an educative type support to a more stringent enforcement approach.

Where poor quality testing has been identified an assessment is carried out and, again, the approach is designed to be proportionate to the need - focused on best ensuring test quality. This could include on-site support or redirected additional training. More serious cases can result in the authorisation of either the Tester or the Authorised Examiner being removed from the scheme.