§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the last year for which records are available (i) the number of heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes which were given an annual inspection for road worthiness, (ii) for how many of these it was the first test, (iii) what were the 10 most common test failures by(a) numbers and (b) percentage of the total, (iv) how many vehicles failed on re-test (y) in total and (z) as a percentage, (v) how many of the failures related to braking (a) in total and (b) as a percentage and (vi) of brake failures how many were in respect of (1) service brakes, (2) secondary brakes, (3) parking brakes and (4) brake components and how many were determined (A) visually and (B) otherwise; what consideration he has give to reducing the period between tests; and if he will make a statement. [11694]
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer, 25 January 1996]: The tables show:
- Table 1 The total number of heavy goods vehicles tested in 1994–95
- Table 2 (a) The 10 most common failure items in each category for motor vehicles
- Table 2 (b) The 10 most common failure items in each category for trailers
- Table 3 the number of vehicles failing retests and the percentage failure rates
- Table 4 the total number of failures for each braking item and the percentage failure rates.
There are no plans for more frequent testing. The existing system is effective in relying on three complementary forms of control: roadworthiness testing,
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Table 4: The total numbers of failures for each braking item and the percentage failure rates Testable item Failures far braking items Motor vehicles Trailers Failure rate percentage Number of failures Failure rate percentage Number of failures Trailer emergency brake Not applicable — 0.042 95 Pressure/vacuum warning 0.364 1,629 Not applicable — Build up of pressure/vacuum 0.146 654 Not applicable — Hand lever operating mechanical brakes 0.033 148 Not applicable — Service brake pedal 0.052 233 Not applicable — operator licensing and its maintenance conditions; and enforcement checks carried out both at the roadside and in operators' premises.
Table 1a: The total numbers of heavy goods vehicles tested in 1994–95, (the last full year for which figures are available) Type Total tests First and annual tests Retests Motor vehicles 573,074 447,660 125,414 Trailers 267,443 225,648 41,795 Separate figures are not available for First Test volumes but estimated volumes are 48,000 for motor vehicles and 16,000 for trailers.
These figures are for all Heavy Goods Vehicles subject to testing under the Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations 1988.
Table 2a: The 10 most common failure items in each category for motor vehicles Motor vehicles Testable item Number failed Percentage failure rate Headlamp aim 49,064 10.960 Service brake performance 48,450 10.823 Secondary brake performance 33,785 7.547 Parking brake performance 21,076 4.708 Braking systems components 19,921 4.450 Rear position lamps/fog lamps 19,357 4.324 Direction and hazard warning lamps 12,087 2.700 Steering linkage 7,955 1.777 Exhaust emissions 7,042 1.573 Suspension pins/bushes 7,006 1.565
Table 2b: The 10 most common.failure items for each category for trailers Trailers Testable item Number failed Percentage failure rate Service brake performance 22,470 9.958 Parking brake performance 15,439 6.842 Braking system components 6,699 2.969 Rear position lamps/fog lamps 5,018 2.224 Trailer parking brake 3,112 1.379 Mechanical brake components 2,778 1.231 Suspension units (attachment) 2,306 1.022 Condition of tyres 2,207 0.978 Stop lamps 2,026 0.898 Reflectors 1,925 0.853
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Table 3: The numbers of vehicles. failing retests and the percentage failure rates Type Number of retests Number of failures Percentage failure rate Motor vehicles 125,414 17,308 13.80 Trailers 41,795 5,668 I3.56
Table 4: The total numbers of failures for each braking item and the percentage failure rates Testable item Failures for braking items Motor vehicles Trailers Failure rate percentage Number of failures Failure rate percentage Number of failures Service brake operation 0.053 237 0.454 1,024 Hand operated brake control valves 0.177 792 0.038 86 Mechanical brake components 0.937 4,195 1.233 2,782 Brake actuators 0.624 2,793 0.768 1,733 Braking system and components 4.452 19,930 2.971 6,704 Trailer parking brake Not applicable — 1.380 3,114 Service brake performance 10.822 48,446 9.958 22,470 Secondary brake performance 7.549 33,794 Not applicable 0 Parking brake performance 4.708 21,076 6.844 15,443 These figures relate to first and annual tests. Detailed figures on failures for retests are not available.
It should be noted that the figures relate to the number of vehicles failing for a particular item. In many cases vehicles will fail for more than one item.
The inspection for all items other than brake performance—(the last three items in the table—is essentially a visual inspection. The brake performance is determined with the use of a roller brake tester.