MOT Technicians: IMI voices concern about significant deficit in completion of training and assessment for 2021

Professional body highlights impact of 2020’s MOT extension on MOT testers’ workload.

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has identified a significant deficit in the number of MOT testers who have so far completed their training and assessment for 2021. Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI believes that the government’s extension to MOT tests in 2020 is having a huge knock-on effect on MOT testers’ workloads. And, combined with the restrictions on numbers of technicians who can be in the workplace at any one time in Lockdown 3.0, this could result in a serious reduction in DVSA approved MOT testers in 2021.

“The bottom line is that if the MOT test market shrinks this presents a real risk to road safety”, explained Steve Nash. “We welcomed the announcement by the DVSA just before Christmas that the deadline for completion of the assessment for this year was going to be extended to 30th April 2021.  However, what concerns us is that our industry professionals who are already under considerable pressure may leave taking the assessment until the last minute. And with the higher pass rate now required by the DVSA, this will give them no room for retakes, meaning they could lose this important income stream for their business.”

Addressing the current heavy workload of many MOT testers, the IMI MOT Training and Assessment package has a focus on e-Learning, The 3 hour training module can be completed in bite-size chunks. Uniquely it also gives technicians the opportunity to retake the assessment up to three times if they’re not happy with their score on first or second attempt. This is particularly important as the DVSA now requires a pass rate of 80%.

The IMI MOT Training and Assessment for 2021 offers 3 options:

• Training only
• Assessment only – including up to 3 attempts
• Combined training and assessment – including up to 3 attempts

Once training is completed, MOT technicians also automatically receive free membership to the IMI as well as access to the IMI community to utilise new and relevant resources to continue their learning plus helpful tips and tools.

To find out more visit the MOT Qualifications page.