The MOT annual assessment is an important part of being a qualified MOT tester. As an MOT tester, you will be assessed once a year to ensure that you are competent and confident in your role.
This guide contains practical tips on how to pass the MOT annual assessment for new testers who may need some help getting started.
The MOT Annual Assessment is the process by which DVSA ensures that MOT testers remain competent and confident in their role. All testers must be assessed at least once every 12 months or they will be removed from the Approved Testing Facility register and will not be able to test vehicles.
Testers can request an annual assessment from their Manager at any time, but it is up to them when they have it done as long as it is within the 12 month period before their current certificate runs out.
Practical Tips:
If you’re an MOT tester, it’s likely you’ll be taking your annual assessment in the coming months.
Preparation is key and with the right approach, there’s no reason why you can’t pass first time.
For those who are getting ready to sit the annual assessment, we spoke to a highly experienced MOT tester, who gave us their top tips on how to pass first time.
- Read the manual
The official DVSA guidance: MOT testing guide contains important information regarding what will be expected of you during your test. It contains advice on everything from test procedures and refusal defects, through to protecting yourself and dealing with customers.
Don’t just read it once. Instead, make sure you read it several times. The guidance will tell you everything you need to know about what’s required of you throughout the day. It will set out all the requirements as far as your attitude and behaviors go, as well as practical aspects of the assessment such as vehicle preparation, recording customer information and following procedures correctly.
- Fill out your personal details correctly
Filling out your personal details correctly is essential as they are used by DVSA to identify who has carried out the test. Therefore, if you fill in this information incorrectly and do not pass the assessment, DVSA will not know who has completed it and when.
- Know your stuff
If you need to brush up on anything before you take your test, visit GOV.UK for a wide range of resources including:
- MOT testing guides
- The MOT inspection manual (VT01)
- The MOT assessment specifiations (VT01A)
- Complete your training correctly
As part of your MOT annual assessment, you’ll be required to complete an online training module called ‘MOT procedures’ and be able to demonstrate that you understand it by answering questions at the end of the module. It’s important to pay attention throughout this training module as it’s updated every year, based on changes made to the MOT testing guide – a key tool to help you carry out your tests.
- Have the correct study plan
Let your study plan be derived from the syllabus and the MOT annual assessment 2020/2021 handbook. If there is something specific that you need to know in order to excel, make sure you include these things in your study plan from the beginning of your course. Don’t wait until you reach this part of the study material at a later stage to start preparing for it.
- Sleep enough
Get a good night’s sleep before your exam. If you’re tired, you won’t be able to think clearly and concentrate.
- Mind what you eat
Eat something nutritious beforehand, so you’ve got fuel for your brain.
- Arrive at the testing center early enough
Make sure you know when and where your exam is. You’ll need to be there at least half an hour early because they will check your ID and take a photo of you. Have all the documents that they ask for ready in advance (driving license, passport, etc). Take a bottle of water with you into the exam room – it helps.
- Understand things instead of memorizing them
Don’t try too hard to memorise huge amounts of information. The GMC advise that it’s better to understand things conceptually rather than by rote learning facts without understanding what they mean or why they’re important. It’s also more likely to stick in your memory if it makes sense to you.
- Reviewing should be an important part
Review all the questions after you’ve completed each section of your study material, or chapter. This will help you determine whether or not you understand every concept, term, etc.; and also where your weaknesses are with regard to what is being tested in these questions.