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MoT: Q&A on test suspensions in Northern Ireland MoT: Q&A on test suspensions in Northern Ireland
(32 minutes later)
The vast majority of MoT tests in Northern Ireland have been suspended due to safety concerns about equipment used during the tests.The vast majority of MoT tests in Northern Ireland have been suspended due to safety concerns about equipment used during the tests.
BBC News NI looks at the background to the situation and how it is affecting thousands of motorists.BBC News NI looks at the background to the situation and how it is affecting thousands of motorists.
Why have MoT tests been suspended?Why have MoT tests been suspended?
Tests are suspended because cracks have been found in most vehicle lifts in Northern Ireland's 15 MoT centres.Tests are suspended because cracks have been found in most vehicle lifts in Northern Ireland's 15 MoT centres.
The equipment is used by staff to examine underneath cars and vans.The equipment is used by staff to examine underneath cars and vans.
During a recent in-depth inspection of all testing centres, signs of cracking were identified in 48 out of the 55 lifts in operation.During a recent in-depth inspection of all testing centres, signs of cracking were identified in 48 out of the 55 lifts in operation.
The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) asked the firm which supplied the lifts to carry out repairs, but an insurance inspector was not satisfied with the attempt to fix them.The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) asked the firm which supplied the lifts to carry out repairs, but an insurance inspector was not satisfied with the attempt to fix them.
As a result, most MoT tests for cars and light vehicles in Northern Ireland were suspended with immediate effect on Monday 27 January.As a result, most MoT tests for cars and light vehicles in Northern Ireland were suspended with immediate effect on Monday 27 January.
Have all MoT tests been cancelled?Have all MoT tests been cancelled?
No - the suspension only applies to cars and light vehicles such as vans.No - the suspension only applies to cars and light vehicles such as vans.
MoT tests for heavy goods vehicles and buses are continuing as normal.MoT tests for heavy goods vehicles and buses are continuing as normal.
What if I have a test booked?What if I have a test booked?
Customers who have an MoT test on Tuesday for a car or light vehicle have been told not to attend as their test will not be carried out.Customers who have an MoT test on Tuesday for a car or light vehicle have been told not to attend as their test will not be carried out.
Those affected are also being advised by the DVA to keep an eye on the nidirect website for further information. They, and customers whose test is due to take place in the next few weeks, are being advised by the DVA to keep an eye on the nidirect website for further information.
How long is the MoT suspension going to last?How long is the MoT suspension going to last?
The DVA has said it could take weeks, or possibly months, to resolve the situation if the defective lifts have to be replaced.The DVA has said it could take weeks, or possibly months, to resolve the situation if the defective lifts have to be replaced.
Its chief executive, Paul Duffy, said the agency was looking at a number of options, including repair and replacement.Its chief executive, Paul Duffy, said the agency was looking at a number of options, including repair and replacement.
He said each of the 55 lifts could cost £30,000 to £40,000 to replace.
My MoT certificate is due to expire - can I drive my vehicle without a new test?My MoT certificate is due to expire - can I drive my vehicle without a new test?
That depends on what you drive - if your car or light vehicle is five years old, or more, it will be eligible for a Temporary Exemption Certificate. That depends on what you drive - if your car or light vehicle is five years old, or more, it will be eligible for a temporary exemption certificate.
These exemptions will extend a vehicle's MOT certificate by four months. These exemptions will extend a vehicle's MoT certificate by four months.
The certificates will be issued automatically by the DVA to drivers whose MOT appointment has been cancelled by the DVA. The certificates will be issued automatically by the DVA to drivers whose MoT appointment has been cancelled by the DVA.
It may take up to 10 days for the certificate to arrive in the post, but it is legally valid from the moment your test is cancelled.
However, these exemptions will not be issued for four-year-old cars or taxis.However, these exemptions will not be issued for four-year-old cars or taxis.
Why are four-year-old cars being excluded from the exemptions?Why are four-year-old cars being excluded from the exemptions?
Four-year-old cars have never been through an MoT test before, meaning they do not have an MoT test certificate to extend.Four-year-old cars have never been through an MoT test before, meaning they do not have an MoT test certificate to extend.
These vehicles, along with taxis, will be prioritised for tests, which will be carried out in the heavy vehicle lanes in MoT test centres.
These lanes use pits rather than vehicle lifts so are not affected by the same safety concerns.
"These lanes have already been used to test cars in previous years due to the volume of bookings," said Julie Thompson, from the DVA.
Why are taxis being excluded from the exemptions?Why are taxis being excluded from the exemptions?
Taxis require a higher level of safety checks because they provide a service to the public, as opposed to private vehicles.Taxis require a higher level of safety checks because they provide a service to the public, as opposed to private vehicles.
Taxis are covered by different legislation and are subject to a PSV [Public Service Vehicle] test.Taxis are covered by different legislation and are subject to a PSV [Public Service Vehicle] test.
Am I insured to drive if I do not have an up-to-date MoT test certificate? Am I insured to drive if I do not have an up-to-date MoT certificate?
Motorists in this situation should check with their insurance provider, according to the Association of British Insurers.Motorists in this situation should check with their insurance provider, according to the Association of British Insurers.
Most drivers affected by the recent MoT cancellations/suspension will automatically receive a Temporary Exemption Certificate (see above). Most drivers affected by the recent MoT cancellations/suspension will automatically receive a temporary exemption certificate (see above).
Malcolm Tarling from the Association of British Insurers. said all motor insurance policies will "as a matter of course, expect you to keep your vehicle in a roadworthy condition and be on the road legally". Malcolm Tarling, from the Association of British Insurers, said all motor insurance policies would "as a matter of course, expect you to keep your vehicle in a roadworthy condition and be on the road legally".
He added that "in normal circumstances" that would mean having an MoT certificate. He added "in normal circumstances" that would mean having a MoT certificate.
Mr Tarling advised motorists to talk to their insurer about "these quite unusual circumstances" and let them know if they have received an exemption.Mr Tarling advised motorists to talk to their insurer about "these quite unusual circumstances" and let them know if they have received an exemption.
"I think insurers are going to keep a very close eye on the situation and they will be guided by the advice the authorities in Northern Ireland are giving out," he added."I think insurers are going to keep a very close eye on the situation and they will be guided by the advice the authorities in Northern Ireland are giving out," he added.
Can MoT test appointments still be booked during the suspension?
Yes, and the DVA said drivers should book an appointment as soon as they get a reminder letter.
They also said temporary exemption certificates could not be issued unless your MoT test had been cancelled by the DVA.
"You need to have booked your car in for a test and have that test cancelled by the DVA for us to pick it up from our systems," said Ms Thompson from the DVA.
She said once the test was cancelled, a four-month exemption would be issued which was "legal from the minute that it changes on our back office system".
Can I tax my car if my MoT test has been cancelled?
Yes, as long as your vehicle is eligible for a four-month temporary exemption certificate (see above).
This will be automatically issued when the DVA cancels your test on its system.
Ms Thompson, from the DVA, said: "Overnight, the tax on your car will be linked to that four-month extension, meaning you can still tax your car."
When were the cracks in the vehicle lifts first noticed?When were the cracks in the vehicle lifts first noticed?
Signs of cracking on MoT lifts were first discovered in November 2019 during a routine inspection of Larne MoT centre in County Antrim.Signs of cracking on MoT lifts were first discovered in November 2019 during a routine inspection of Larne MoT centre in County Antrim.
It was detected by the firm which supplies the lifts, and which is responsible for the regular examination and maintenance of the equipment.It was detected by the firm which supplies the lifts, and which is responsible for the regular examination and maintenance of the equipment.
The same firm then began an in-depth inspection of all vehicle lifts in operation across Northern Ireland's 15 MoT centres.The same firm then began an in-depth inspection of all vehicle lifts in operation across Northern Ireland's 15 MoT centres.
On 15 January, it reported the results to the DVA, having identified signs of cracking on 48 out of the 55 lifts.On 15 January, it reported the results to the DVA, having identified signs of cracking on 48 out of the 55 lifts.
The majority of the lifts were installed in 2011/12.
How much is it going to cost the public purse?
If all 55 vehicle lifts have to been replaced, new lifts could cost between £30,000 and £40,000 each according DVA chief executive Paul Duffy.
Using his estimate, the total bill could range from £1.65m to £2.2m.
Before the widespread suspension was announced on Monday, about 7,000 MoT tests had been cancelled.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said those motorists would receive the "maximum amount of compensation" available under the legislation.
They were to receive a refund of half their MoT test fee and would be offered a rescheduled test at no charge.
Ms Thompson, from the DVA, told Stormont assembly members her agency had enough funds to cover the bill and would not need to seek additional money from the public purse.