§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many MOT stations are registered with the vehicle inspectorate; and what has been the figure in each of the last five years; [40353]
(2) how many inspections of MOT stations were conducted in each of the last five years; [40355]
(3) how many prosecutions there have been in each of the last five years against MOT stations for illegally issuing MOT certificates; [40350]
(4) how many vehicle inspectorate staff are employed to check that MOT stations comply with the requirements of the test; and what has been the figure in each of the last five years; [40354]
(5) what is his policy for dealing with MOT stations which are found to have passed unfit vehicles; and if he will make a statement; [40356]
(6) what estimate he has made of the number of vehicles used on the road (a) without an MOT certificate and (b) with an illegal MOT certificate. [40352]
§ Mr. BowisI have asked the chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Ron Oliver to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 14 October 1996:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions on:
- (i) the number of MOT stations registered with the Vehicle Inspectorate (VI) for the last 5 years;
- (ii) the number of inspections of MOT stations conducted in the last 5 years;
679 - (iii) the number of prosecutions against MOT stations for illegally issuing MOT certificates;
- (iv) the number of Vehicle Inspectorate staff employed by VI to check that MOT stations comply with the requirements of the test for the last 5 years;
- (v) an estimate of the number of vehicles used on the road a) without an MOT certificate and b) with an illegal MOT certificate; and
- vi) the policy for dealing with MOT stations which have passed unfit vehicles.
Details of the number of MOT stations authorised, the number of MOT station standards control inspections for the last 5 years, and the number of VI examiners employed to check that MOT stations comply with testing requirements over the past 2 years, are provided in the attached tables. The numbers of VI examiners employed on MOT supervisory activities before 1994/95 can only be provided at disproportionate cost.There are no precise figures on MOT evasion or the use of vehicles with an illegal MOT certificate. It is likely that the level of MOT evasion is similar to the level of VED evasion since a valid MOT test certificate must he produced at the time of VED relicensing.Procedures for dealing with MOT stations which fail to comply with MOT standards are outlined in the "MOT Testing Guide" available from HMSO bookshops. Depending on the severity of the case and the past history of the test station, action can range from advice and formal warnings through to the removal of the authorisation to test vehicles for up to 5 years. These sanctions are effective, and it is therefore seldom necessary to bring prosecution proceedings.
Number of authorised examiners Private garages Others 1991–92 17,081 470 1992–93 17,460 463 1993–94 17,362 451 1994–95 18,421 453 1995–96 18,456 438 "Others" includes test stations operated by post offices, designated local authorities, the Crown, and some police authorities.
Number of vehicle inspectorate enforcement vehicle examiners (average staff in post) employed on MOT standards control activity
These figures exclude overtime and any training or project work that may have been undertaken directly connected to the MOT Scheme.
- 1995–96: 97.2
- 1994–95: 97.6
Number of inspections conducted on MOT stations
- 1991–92: 40,976
- 1992–93: 38,827
- 1993–94: 42,446
- 1994–95: 43,785
- 1995–96: 44,029