Becoming a MOT Tester?
Discussion
Hi there.
So to give you a bit of a background I'm a car mechanic with about 15 years of experience working in prestige main dealers or being a roadside patrol/technician. Currently I'm working for a large breakdown firm on a manufacturers account as a dedicated patrol. Unfortunately the area (which I ironically moved to solely for the purposes of this job opportunity
) has been quiet since covid and there's talk of reverting me to a normal patrol which I'm not all that keen on.
So I've started looking at potential alterative roles within the motor trade that aren't me going back on the tools in another dealer and the concept of being a MOT tester has cropped up.
Seems like a straight forwards enough process to get trained up as a nominated tester; 4-5 day course, 1 paper assessment, 1 practical. Although my question is kind of what happens after doing the test; Is a new MOT tester going to struggle to find work without any prior experience in testing?
Worth stressing that I only want to do MOTs or quality testing work, not go back on the spanners doing the odd MOT that was the case in 95% of the main dealers I worked in, It seems like independent/backstreet places might differ in this regard from what I've seen?
In an ideal world I'd like to do short/medium term contract/temp work for a few weeks/months to cover my living expenses and pursue starting my own business during the downtime between contracts - Is this feasible or is the reality of MOT contract/temp work really £10 P/H for 40 p/w full time with no benefits like so many different industries?
Any input much appreciated
Jas
So to give you a bit of a background I'm a car mechanic with about 15 years of experience working in prestige main dealers or being a roadside patrol/technician. Currently I'm working for a large breakdown firm on a manufacturers account as a dedicated patrol. Unfortunately the area (which I ironically moved to solely for the purposes of this job opportunity
) has been quiet since covid and there's talk of reverting me to a normal patrol which I'm not all that keen on.So I've started looking at potential alterative roles within the motor trade that aren't me going back on the tools in another dealer and the concept of being a MOT tester has cropped up.
Seems like a straight forwards enough process to get trained up as a nominated tester; 4-5 day course, 1 paper assessment, 1 practical. Although my question is kind of what happens after doing the test; Is a new MOT tester going to struggle to find work without any prior experience in testing?
Worth stressing that I only want to do MOTs or quality testing work, not go back on the spanners doing the odd MOT that was the case in 95% of the main dealers I worked in, It seems like independent/backstreet places might differ in this regard from what I've seen?
In an ideal world I'd like to do short/medium term contract/temp work for a few weeks/months to cover my living expenses and pursue starting my own business during the downtime between contracts - Is this feasible or is the reality of MOT contract/temp work really £10 P/H for 40 p/w full time with no benefits like so many different industries?
Any input much appreciated
Jas
Have a look at the MOT garage businesses for sale in Daltons?
That should give you some idea of the way indy MoT garages operate.
I have a local one whose owner I know reasonably well.
A lot of MoT s bring in work like new brakes and random small stuff, other MOTs are just the test for various mechanics who prepare customers cars and do any work needed.
Some years ago I looked at buying into such a business, the biggest stumbling block was none of us being quite eligible to take the tester's exams.
That should give you some idea of the way indy MoT garages operate.
I have a local one whose owner I know reasonably well.
A lot of MoT s bring in work like new brakes and random small stuff, other MOTs are just the test for various mechanics who prepare customers cars and do any work needed.
Some years ago I looked at buying into such a business, the biggest stumbling block was none of us being quite eligible to take the tester's exams.
Many testers are looking for a way out. low pay and so much pressure from the bosses either pushing you through or trying to sway choices.
Then you are constantly scrutinised by the DVSA looking for ways to give you points, yearly exams, more and more cars that are SO hard to test right.
Go drive a train.
Then you are constantly scrutinised by the DVSA looking for ways to give you points, yearly exams, more and more cars that are SO hard to test right.
Go drive a train.
I looked at buying an MOT testing station, it did tyres too and the easy repairs like brakes and exhausts etc. It was ok, but the thing with MOTs is that regardless of the recommended price lots of people will discount it. I pay £37.50 for mine, and I have for years so bearing in mind each one takes an hour your daily turnover is a bit limited.
Plus doing MOTs all day would be boring as hell
Plus doing MOTs all day would be boring as hell
stevemcs said:
If you want to get into the testing then try someone like a car supermarket, they push them through as quick as they can and the cars will be reasonably new - which makes all the difference.
Can you imagine how repetitive and boring that would be, plus they will be pushing you so hard to get on the next one..rather do RR turbo's and that is saying something!!I retired from my main stream career a while back. Got a little bored so decided to do a testers course for Class 1&2 only. I’m freelance and could honestly work 7 days a week albeit I try and only do two.
There seems to be an enormous shortage of bike testers, oh and it’s an absolute doddle too !
There seems to be an enormous shortage of bike testers, oh and it’s an absolute doddle too !
OutInTheShed said:
Have a look at the MOT garage businesses for sale in Daltons?
That should give you some idea of the way indy MoT garages operate.
I have a local one whose owner I know reasonably well.
A lot of MoT s bring in work like new brakes and random small stuff, other MOTs are just the test for various mechanics who prepare customers cars and do any work needed.
Some years ago I looked at buying into such a business, the biggest stumbling block was none of us being quite eligible to take the tester's exams.
Buying an established business or starting my own is the ultimate long term goal and why I would like to go contract/freelance if I were to become a tester so I can continue to work down that sort of path, but the costs involved with setting up a MOT bay arent cheap so it's definitely something for down the line. That should give you some idea of the way indy MoT garages operate.
I have a local one whose owner I know reasonably well.
A lot of MoT s bring in work like new brakes and random small stuff, other MOTs are just the test for various mechanics who prepare customers cars and do any work needed.
Some years ago I looked at buying into such a business, the biggest stumbling block was none of us being quite eligible to take the tester's exams.
Athlon said:
Many testers are looking for a way out. low pay and so much pressure from the bosses either pushing you through or trying to sway choices.
Then you are constantly scrutinised by the DVSA looking for ways to give you points, yearly exams, more and more cars that are SO hard to test right.
Go drive a train.
Can't say that surprises me, I know a lot of techs that are in a similar boat, MOT ticket or not.Then you are constantly scrutinised by the DVSA looking for ways to give you points, yearly exams, more and more cars that are SO hard to test right.
Go drive a train.
It's a tough trade, I got into it out of a genuine passion for cars, which I guess makes the realities of the job sting just that little bit more, lol.
I am funnily enough looking at train driving jobs as well, that would be perfect and they pay well for training, but in many career change scenario comes with a period of low/no earning that does worry me a tad.
stinkyspanner said:
I looked at buying an MOT testing station, it did tyres too and the easy repairs like brakes and exhausts etc. It was ok, but the thing with MOTs is that regardless of the recommended price lots of people will discount it. I pay £37.50 for mine, and I have for years so bearing in mind each one takes an hour your daily turnover is a bit limited.
Plus doing MOTs all day would be boring as hell
As you say, the race to the bottom regarding MOT prices have made me question the viability of starting a new station, but then that being said I still pay full price for my MOTs quite happily with my "trusted" testers as opposed to taking a gamble on places that do deals, and those places are still going. Plus doing MOTs all day would be boring as hell
Not TOO worried about being "bored" anymore if I stick in this trade. Even doing techie work for dealers is boring A.F, but I was hoping for slightly less politics and bonus chasing culture if I insisted that I wasn't going to get back on the tools.
stevemcs said:
There is no need to discount MOT's we can do 9 a day and still turn people away all at £54.85
If you want to get into the testing then try someone like a car supermarket, they push them through as quick as they can and the cars will be reasonably new - which makes all the difference.
Good to hear that there is still demand for full price MOTs done by a trust worthy garage If you want to get into the testing then try someone like a car supermarket, they push them through as quick as they can and the cars will be reasonably new - which makes all the difference.
.Really good shout on the car supermarket option, and given my current hobby of buying and selling bangers could provide an additional insight into the sales side of the trade. I'll keep an eye out, thanks again!
romeodelta said:
Not many would recommend it, I'd wager.
Have you thought about customer facing parts or service roles, if you want to get off the tools?
I know they're more salesy, and the public are largely stupid, but your technical knowledge may be an advantage.
Hmm, do you mean something like sales?Have you thought about customer facing parts or service roles, if you want to get off the tools?
I know they're more salesy, and the public are largely stupid, but your technical knowledge may be an advantage.
I absolutely adore the customer facing part of my current role, there's nothing better than using my technical knowledge and skills to put smiles on customers faces.
Problem is that looking at things from my 2D main dealer tech background I can't see too many roles where my knowledge would be valued if I wasn't willing to "back it up" by going back on the tools, otherwise places seem to prefer "sales" people for non technicial roles.
I'd love to be a workshop foreman or something similar, but that's the role that is few and far between. I will keep an open mind though
Rockets7 said:
I retired from my main stream career a while back. Got a little bored so decided to do a testers course for Class 1&2 only. I’m freelance and could honestly work 7 days a week albeit I try and only do two.
There seems to be an enormous shortage of bike testers, oh and it’s an absolute doddle too !
Ahh, now that is VERY interesting. I don't ride bikes myself but have been looking for an excuse to do my DAS forever.There seems to be an enormous shortage of bike testers, oh and it’s an absolute doddle too !
May I ask how the process of getting setup as freelance was? Did you go via an agency? Any issue with little experience in testing to begin with? Do you tend to cover the same place or are you often changing stations?
Thank you so much for the replies everyone
I'm not in the industry but if you have a main dealer prestige background and want to set up by yourself what about a mobile mechanic?
I've just had a '12 plate run of the mill Merc serviced for the second year in a row by such a guy and 3 or 4 years before that he did my 55 AMG for a couple of years all off my driveway. He has access to the Merc system so can upload the service reports there too.
I've just had a '12 plate run of the mill Merc serviced for the second year in a row by such a guy and 3 or 4 years before that he did my 55 AMG for a couple of years all off my driveway. He has access to the Merc system so can upload the service reports there too.
WorldBoss said:
Ahh, now that is VERY interesting. I don't ride bikes myself but have been looking for an excuse to do my DAS forever.
May I ask how the process of getting setup as freelance was? Did you go via an agency? Any issue with little experience in testing to begin with? Do you tend to cover the same place or are you often changing stations?
Thank you so much for the replies everyone
Really easy. I set up as a sole trader. I walked into a local garage mid bike season and asked if an extra tester would help. With a positive answer I did the course etc and the demo test and was set to go. I do three local (5 mile radius) different garages. I give them approx 10 days notice of what days I’ll be available to work and they book in accordingly. The rest is word of mouth. When logging in I simply select the site I’m working at. May I ask how the process of getting setup as freelance was? Did you go via an agency? Any issue with little experience in testing to begin with? Do you tend to cover the same place or are you often changing stations?
Thank you so much for the replies everyone
At least most that turn up are quite chatty unlike the car world. That said they do ‘ram’ the day !
Bikes are definitely seasonal, they tend to start just before Easter and finish late September, the only thing with bikes is they don't tend to plan ahead, they want to book in within 3-4 days notice and if it rains on the day of test then they tend to cancel. Most bikers have more than one bike. As for mobile mechanics, i couldn't think of anything worse, some cars its bad enough with ramps and more manufacturers seem to be suggesting that you don't use oil extractors.
MOT testers around here at a supermarket are around 30k a year.
MOT testers around here at a supermarket are around 30k a year.
WorldBoss said:
romeodelta said:
Not many would recommend it, I'd wager.
Have you thought about customer facing parts or service roles, if you want to get off the tools?
I know they're more salesy, and the public are largely stupid, but your technical knowledge may be an advantage.
Hmm, do you mean something like sales?Have you thought about customer facing parts or service roles, if you want to get off the tools?
I know they're more salesy, and the public are largely stupid, but your technical knowledge may be an advantage.
I absolutely adore the customer facing part of my current role, there's nothing better than using my technical knowledge and skills to put smiles on customers faces.
Problem is that looking at things from my 2D main dealer tech background I can't see too many roles where my knowledge would be valued if I wasn't willing to "back it up" by going back on the tools, otherwise places seem to prefer "sales" people for non technicial roles.
I'd love to be a workshop foreman or something similar, but that's the role that is few and far between. I will keep an open mind though
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