DVSA Updates: TQI Guidance for MOT Managers

August 22, 2019

TQI Guidance for MOT Managers

In October 2018, the DVSA published new MOT TQI Guidance for MOT managers explaining what information MOT testers and managers should regularly check.

It’s now a requirement that testers need to understand more about how to read their TQI data. The DVSA’s official guidance below explains how to view and interpret MOT test quality information and test logs for managers.

Overview

TQI (Test Quality Information) is data about the MOT tests that your testers have carried out. Use it as a starting point to monitor their standards of testing.

2 types of information you can get from the MOT testing service:

• • MOT test quality information – which is a summary of pass rates at your
    sites

• • MOT test logs – a record of every MOT test carried out at your sites

Just a heads up…the DVSA use the above information when preparing for site visits!

Here is some TQI Guidance for MOT managers and testers who need to be analysing TQI data with the aim of improving their testing standards.

MOT Test Quality Information

What information can you view?

You can view:

• • The number of tests your site has carried out
  • The number of tests each of your testers has carried out
  • The average age of the vehicle tested
  • Failure rates for your testers and each of your sites, and the national failure rate
  • The duration of the tests
  • Component failure rates

Test groups

TQI is displayed by test groups, these are:

• • Group A – Vehicle classes 1 & 2

• • Group B – Vehicle classes 3, 4, 5 & 7

Each vehicle group tested at your site will be displayed separately. After selecting the site you want to review, the initial screen will show figures for the last completed month. There is also an option to view the last 3 completed months.

Review multiple sites

You can view information for each of your sites by site name. These are normally listed on the right-hand side of your screen after login.

What formats can you use the information in?

You can:

• • View it in the MOT testing service as a web page

• • Download it as a .csv file

A .csv file is a basic type of spreadsheet that sets out information in tables and opens in most spreadsheet software (e.g. Excel).

How can you access the information?

1. 1. Sign in to the MOT Testing Service
   2. Click the site you want to view (your sites are usually listed on the right-hand side of
      the screen).
   3. Click Test Quality Information.
   4. Select a date range. (Last month or last 3 months).
   5. Click Update The Results.
   6. Click Download .csv file.

The .csv contains both the site overview figures and the component breakdown details for all the testers. It shows the site and national average figures as well.

MOT Test Logs

What information can you view?

You can view test logs for your sites and testers on the portal for a specific:

• • Day
  • Week
  • Month (max 31 days)

Test logs provide information on the:

• • Date & time of the test
  • Vehicle registration mark (VRM)
  • Vehicle make & model
  • User and site ID
  • Test result

You can also download a .csv file that includes extra information about:

• • Internet protocol (IP) address (a unique number that’s linked to online activity)
  • Test number
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Test class
  • Test duration
  • Contingency code
  • Date & time contingency test was recorded

What formats can you use this information in?

You can:

• • View it in the MOT testing service as a web page
  • Download it as a .csv file

How can you access this information?

1. 1. Sign in to the MOT Testing Service
   2. Click the site you want to view.
   3. Click Test Logs.
   4. Select a date range. View data for a specific day, week or month.
   5. Click Update The Results.
   6. Click to Download .csv file.

How To Interpret The Information

Your testers pass rates might be higher, lower or similar to the site or national average. That doesn’t automatically mean that anything’s wrong with their testing standard.

You and your testers should regularly review this data. Look into any unusual differences, investigate any issues and record the outcome.

The DVSA will also use this information when preparing for site visits!

Factors to take into account

When you review the .csv data, check the details against your appointment records to make sure they match. These checks should include:

• • The date and time of the test
  • The vehicle registration mark (VRM)
  • Vehicle make and model
  • User ID control activity
  • Test status and type
  • IP address
  • Test duration
  • Date and time a contingency test is recorded
  • User ID of tester recording contingency test

You can use filters on the .csv spreadsheet to help you view specific bits of data.

Example 1: Use filters to show tests that have been aborted!

• • Download the .csv file you want to review.
  • Click Sort and filter on the menu tabs at the top of your screen. This
    will bring down a drop-down menu.
  • Click Filter. A downward arrow will appear next to all the column titles.
  • Click the downward arrow next to Result(column L) and a drop-down menu
    will appear.
  • Unselect Select all.
  • Select Aborted and click OK.

You now have a list of aborted tests that you can check against the vehicle MOT records at your site.

Check if there’s a legitimate reason the test was aborted. Investigate further if it’s not clear why.

Example 2: Use filters to search for short tests where the vehicle received a pass but it was not a retest!

1. Download the .csv file you want to review.
2. Click Sort and filter on the menu tabs at the top of your screen. This
   will bring down a drop-down menu.
3. Click Filter.A downward arrow will appear next to all the column titles.
4. Click the downward arrow next to Test type(column K) and a drop-down menu will appear.
5. Unselect Select all.
6. Select Normal and click OK.
7. Click the downward arrow next to Result(column L) and a drop-down menu
   will appear.
8. Unselect Select all.
9. Select Passed and click OK.
10. Click the downward arrow next to Test duration(column M) and a drop-down menu will appear.
11. Select Sort smallest to largest

You now have a list of tests by duration (shortest to longest), where the vehicle received a pass. Investigate any tests that you consider to be short.

Check the vehicle MOT records at your site to see if there’s a valid reason why the test was so short. For example, if it was a retest and has been recorded incorrectly. Investigate further if it’s not clear.

Check here for our Essential Guide to TQI to find out more.

For more information on how our system can help you and your garage please contact us on 01293 911120 or by email at info@motjuice.co.uk or have a go at our free demo below.

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