Do MOT stations have "targets" or an average fail rate to me

[alex98uk]

I have heard from a few sources that garages often have an average failure rate they should meet, which aligns to DVSA/VOSA data.

Failing too few cars could in turn alert authorities to a garage passing non-roadworthy vehicles. As such, garages often fail cars for very minor issues (mis-aligned bulb etc...) And then instantly re-pass them, so as to have an acceptable average fail rate.

My Kia was failed for a sidelight out, fixed and passed again instantly... but i know I checked 30 minutes prior to dropping it off that the bulb worked! Obviously coincidences happen, so can't say for sure.

Anyone know if this rumour really holds any weight?

[alex98uk]

Brads67 said:

If it was for a pre booked test , they are not allowed to carry out repairs.

It must fail first, then they can repair it and carry out a re-test.

It was a pre-booked test.

Car failed, bulb "changed" and I was invoiced £1 or so and then it passed again. I only found this out after I collected it as passed.

I don't really care, was more interested in whether garages are expected to fail a %'age of cars as average.

[alex98uk]

BIG DUNC said:

I don’t know, but I would be surprised if they had targets. A main dealer in a well off area would be testing modern up market cars, probably as part of a service. A back street garage in an area with high unemployment may be testing much older cars, some of which may be maintained to a much lower standard, if at all.

Would you expect them to have the same pass rate?

I don't know if they're considered "targets" per se... rather, averages that may just be public knowledge and are utilised by garages to minimise any hassle from DVSA.

As you say, dealership garages would be expected to have a higher pass rate... that said, nothing to say that DVSA don't further drill down into data to know this. Could also potentially be that MOT pass rates are higher in more affluent areas where regular maintanence is done more frequently.

Edited by alex98uk on Thursday 25th July 15:21

[alex98uk]

I suspect they do a bulb since you can't really prove it worked nor does it harm MOT history really when selling the car.

[alex98uk]

Cheers lads, so seems there are no targets per se... but there are obviously soft KPI's monitored by DVSA/VOSA which can trigger an investigation or "friendly" chat.

I suspect my incling may be right, but not at a garage level, rather at an individual tester level.

[alex98uk]

keirik said:

You lot need a new MOT tester. Mine told me I had a blown bulb, changed it, passed my car and didn't charge for the bulb.

I mean, to be fair, bloke charged me about £1 for the new bulb.

Always been pleased with their work too, good blokes and good prices. Will continue to take the car to them to be honest... i'm not really bitter if they have targets to meet and it's over the odd quid here or there.