Photos: MOT database targets illegal cars
Summary: 18,500 garages finally linked to delayed system
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The equipment provided to the garages is all ruggedised to prevent oil, grease and grime damaging the PC or keyboard.
Training is provided for mechanics in the garages as well as back-up support from a Vosa helpline, which currently receives around 1,400 calls a day. But Vosa claims most garages - even the less computer literate ones - are able to get up to speed with the computer system within two weeks of installation.
Once the test is completed the mechanic enters the results before printing off either a pass certificate or failure notice, together with any advisories such as items that have not failed but are close to doing so and should attended to in the near future.
The garage then securely connects to the central MOT database using a dial-up modem supplied by Vosa, and the information is updated in just a few seconds. Most garages typically carry out around six MOT tests each day.
The system also checks the tester and garage are authorised to test that class of vehicle and that the calibration of the test equipment is up-to-date.
Photo credit: Siemens Business Services
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