MOT Emissions Sample Checking

It’s recommended that you check a sample of your MOT logs to ensure that you have emissions records for each MOT that is completed at your VTS.

The reason for this is to ensure you don’t risk having your testing status/authorisation ceased by DVSA if, during a site visit, the VE finds that some of your emissions records are missing, incomplete (e.g. temperature reading not recorded) or not accessible.

On 6th September 2023, DVSA published a new notification to all MOT Testing staff to make them aware of the issues of not storing or recording emissions records correctly.

Specifically, within this notification the DVSA make it clear that if, during a site visit, a VE can’t access emissions records, then they will treat this exactly the same as if the MOT tests have not had an emissions test and will put the MOT tester(s) and site at risk of cessation.

DVSA go on to say "There is no excuse for not conducting emissions tests, and possible faulty equipment, or supposed lack of knowledge of equipment not storing information, will not be considered mitigation in any disciplinary case".

You can read the full DVSA notification on emissions here.

There is no official guidance from the DVSA on how many MOT logs you need to be checking, however MOT Juice advises to check no less than 5% of your total MOTs each month.

By checking a sample of 5% each month, this means if you complete a total of 200 tests in a month, you’d only need to be checking 10 MOT records.

By checking a random sample of your MOT logs, you’re evidencing to the DVSA and VE that you are being proactive in ensuring there’s no risk of fraudulent activity at your site, as well as verifying that your emissions testing equipment is not faulty and testing staff are using it properly.