MOT Viewing Areas
Discussion
Yes I already Googled that but as I'm not a lawyer, work for VOSA or design MOT testing areas, I thought I would clarify my interpretation that they are required. My reading is they are.
I'm undecided if I should b
h to VOSA. On the one hand they have not provided a viewing area. OTOH they have provided a capuccino and a biscuit.
I'm undecided if I should b
h to VOSA. On the one hand they have not provided a viewing area. OTOH they have provided a capuccino and a biscuit. 
creampuff said:
Yes I already Googled that but as I'm not a lawyer, work for VOSA or design MOT testing areas, I thought I would clarify my interpretation that they are required. My reading is they are.
I'm undecided if I should bh to VOSA. On the one hand they have not provided a viewing area. OTOH they have provided a capuccino and a biscuit.
You should get the Dealerships MOT testing status removed immediately!I'm undecided if I should b
h to VOSA. On the one hand they have not provided a viewing area. OTOH they have provided a capuccino and a biscuit. There's no way that they can be testing cars correctly without a viewing room!
As everybody knows, the most vital part of the MOT is members of the general public being able to see it happening! - How else are we to have safe cars on our roads?
I bet they're not even looking at the cars and are just issuing MOT's to any old heap!
Find yourself a decent backstreet garage that does MOT's instead! - The last thing you want is a company like BMW's name appearing on your MOT! Future buyers will run a mile as soon as they see a BMW MOT!
Aretnap said:
At my local backstreet garage the viewing area tends to be inside the car, with the tester shouting "brake! Steering wheel hard left!" at me from time to time.
Being a bit old fashioned I prefer these ,as when anything iff is found, the tester is there to point out exactly what is wrong. I suspect that "viewing areas " came about as the garages found that due to elf & safety regs, their insurance didn't cover customers under ramps ( without, steel boots/hard hats/ safety glasses and a High Viz vest,and thick gloves), and only then after a hefty premium. I now use a little back street place where my viewing area is my front room . I take car to garage, leave it outside ,and ( as I arrange my MOT for a day when my daughter is with her mate in mate's car ) find daughter has left her car outside garage for my use . It works both ways as often I am called on to be taxi driver. Aretnap said:
At my local backstreet garage the viewing area tends to be inside the car, with the tester shouting "brake! Steering wheel hard left!" at me from time to time.
And mine - and it helps with the V8 because I save them time looking for all the stuff like hazard flashers and headlamp flashers that it doesn't have (and isn't required to) and they don't waste ages looking for the bonnet release that's in the front grille etc.they don't need to have a permanent designated mot viewing area, and certainly not one where you can sit in a reclining leather chair watching through a sound proof window sipping your double macchiato. They just need somewhere safe to stand or sit that can be made available when needed to the occasional nut job comes in and says i refuse to give your government pawns unsupervised access to my vehicle for fear of them adding mind control additives to the fuel and uploading spyware into the satnav.
ging84 said:
they don't need to have a permanent designated mot viewing area, and certainly not one where you can sit in a reclining leather chair watching through a sound proof window sipping your double macchiato. They just need somewhere safe to stand or sit that can be made available when needed to the occasional nut job comes in and says i refuse to give your government pawns unsupervised access to my vehicle for fear of them adding mind control additives to the fuel and uploading spyware into the satnav.
VOSA decides what should be provided. (my bold)4. Requirements for premises.
For a site to be considered for approval it must provide the following:
4.1 Premises with:
e)a clearly identified weatherproof public waiting room or area from which the whole test can be directly observed without interruption, except for road testing (room for 2 seated people is considered sufficient).
- the observation room or area should be identified by a notice and floor markings if applicable. There should also be a notice in reception indicating the presence of a viewing area.
to meet those requirement you need a sign in reception and a sign on the wall near the mot bay optionally a line drawn on the floor if you don't want the dribbling freaks wandering out of where they've been put and licking brake fluid off of the floor.
Maybe the bmw dealer didn't have a sign i'm sure they can have one made
Maybe the bmw dealer didn't have a sign i'm sure they can have one made
Aretnap said:
At my local backstreet garage the viewing area tends to be inside the car, with the tester shouting "brake! Steering wheel hard left!" at me from time to time.
Same here, none of the controls are marked on the TVR and they can't get out once they shut the door 
I like it, lets me have a good look under the car so I can see any problems for myself and fix them when I get home.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff