OVER 23,000 potentially dangerous trucks, trailers and PSVs were taken off the road or repaired between April and June 2019, new DVSA data reveals. This represents 11.8% of the tests taken.
Hugh Rimmer, DVSA’s vehicle testing task force lead, said: ‘Although the failure rate of 11.8% is far lower than that of cars, 32.5% of which failed their MOT in the same period, it is still too high. Heavy vehicles are subject to a strict maintenance regime and should also be subject to a daily walk around test. Operators should ensure that their vehicles remain safe to drive the whole year round and that they’re properly prepared for the annual test.’
The test has also made a significant contribution to air quality. Over 1,000 failed their test on emissions and were not allowed back on the road until the problem was resolved.
In the same period, DVSA allocated 152,000 testing hours to Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs). They used 140,500 hours of this, representing an average utilisation rate of 93.58%.
