• Car Dealer Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • UCA 2020
  • UCA 2021
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • UCA 2020
  • UCA 2021
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
No Result
View All Result

Two new lifts to ease backlog at Northern Ireland test centres as minister criticises MOT ‘mess’

Car Dealer Magazine by Car Dealer Magazine
January 30, 2020
0
Home News

TWO new lifts are to go into operation at MOT test centres in Northern Ireland after tests were suspended earlier this week over safety fears.

Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon said she hoped the move would help ease a growing backlog following the suspension of tests for cars and light vehicles  because of faults with lifts, as reported by Car Dealer.

A full suspension was announced on Monday evening after signs of cracking were found by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in 48 of 55 lifts, leading to some 5,000 MOT tests already being cancelled.

Tests were suspended at all 15 of the DVA’s centres – the only places where MOT tests can be carried out in Northern Ireland.

Mallon said the two new lifts ‘will allow us to increase capacity, get to those priority motorists and start to address the backlog’. She added they had already been bought and were in the system.

Most cars will be issued with exemption certificates lasting four months, but they can’t be created for four-year-old cars or taxis.

The DVA is contacting owners of four-year-old cars to help them book MOT tests in the coming days, with priority being given to those with MOTs that have expired or are expiring now, so that motorists can tax their vehicles.

The minister also moved to allay fears that people with four-year-old vehicles may see their cars clamped if they aren’t taxed.

‘The DVA is not responsible for clamping vehicles – it is the DVLA, which is a separate agency,’ she said.

Discretion

‘But my department has been in close contact with them. We are making it clear that no one should be penalised for a situation not of their making – very close to the position and assurances that we were able to obtain from the Association of British Insurers.’

The Police Service of Northern Ireland – which refers details of untaxed vehicles to the DVLA to prosecute – said its officers were being encouraged to exercise discretion.

Cracks in vehicle lifts were first detected in November but the problem rapidly escalated this month.

DVA chief executive Paul Duffy ordered the halting of tests for cars and light vehicles on Monday after failing to receive adequate assurances about repairs.

During a visit to the Balmoral MOT centre in Belfast, pictured, Mallon said she had ordered and would oversee two independent reviews, adding: ‘I am very clear that this situation is not acceptable. I took up the post two weeks ago and I have inherited this mess.

‘The first review will be conducted by independent professional auditors – I want to understand exactly what happened here, who knew what, when and what action was taken and the timelines involved.

‘The second review, I have asked that an independent expert is appointed who can provide me with independent advice about the steps that now must be taken to ensure that we can get back to business as usual and safely in our MOT centres across Northern Ireland.’

MORE: Shake-up urged as MOT tests for cars and light vehicles are suspended in Northern Ireland

Related Posts

Vertu Motors boss Robert Forrester
News

Clever technology helped Vertu Motors sell 6,500 used cars in February despite dealership doors being shut

March 5, 2021
Do It 4 Ben – Breakout For Ben
News

Breakout for Ben virtual challenge raises £159,000 towards £1m funding gap

March 5, 2021
VW ID.3
News

There’s something in the air – Volkswagen’s electric ID cars to get updates online

March 5, 2021
Reading Crown Court, via PA, Nov 2020
News

Prestige dealership owner and wife must fork out nearly £60,000 for wrecking listed mansion

March 5, 2021
Nissan Leaf charging on the road
News

Investigation: Incentivising used electric car buyers with govt-backed interest free loans could hugely boost adoption

March 5, 2021
Used Car Prices
News

Exclusive: Find out what the fastest and slowest selling used cars in February were on Auto Trader

March 5, 2021

Want the latest news?

Sign up to Car Dealer's daily news email updates

Subscribe
How many car dealerships does each manufacturer have in the UK? Car Dealerships Locations List 2021 revealed
News

How many car dealerships does each manufacturer have in the UK? Car Dealerships Locations List 2021 revealed

February 24, 2021
Used Car Awards with Mike Brewer and James Baggott graphi
News

Who won what at the Used Car Awards 2020? Mike Brewer reveals our winning car dealers

February 11, 2021
Car Dealer issue 156 front cover and Used Car Awards
Online Magazine

Out now: Car Dealer issue 156 features our Used Car Awards, H.R. Owen CEO Ken Choo and lots more

February 23, 2021
Used car market stronger than ever as August sees sales up by nearly 50 per cent for Big Motoring World
News

Opinion: Here are 10 reasons why I think there’ll be a rapid recovery in car sales when lockdown ends

February 16, 2021
Trophy Cars forecourt
News

Investigation: Meet the hyper-specialist car dealers making their money from weird and wonderful motors

February 11, 2021
Become a Car Dealer Plus member and get more out of this website including free legal advice
News

Become a Car Dealer Plus member and get more out of this website including free legal advice

January 15, 2021
Car Dealer Top 100 – The list in full of the most profitable car dealers in the UK
Car Dealer Top 100

Car Dealer Top 100 – The list in full of the most profitable car dealers in the UK

February 10, 2021
Bitcoin ATM terminal
News

Will car dealers in the UK accept Bitcoin for payment? Dealers speak out after Tesla plans to accept cryptocurrency 

February 18, 2021
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • UCA 2020
  • UCA 2021
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
Call us: 020 8125 3880

© 2020 Blackball Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Car Dealer Plus
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards 2020
  • Used Car Awards 2021
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100

© 2020 Blackball Media

Log In
Register
Register
Server C