MoTs: Suspension of tests 'could last weeks or months'

It could take weeks, or possibly months, to replace defective lifts at MoT centres in Northern Ireland, the Driver and Vehicle Agency has said.

Most MoT tests for cars and light vehicles in Northern Ireland have been suspended with immediate effect.

An inspection of vehicle lifts in NI's MoT centres previously detected "signs of cracking" in 48 of 55 lifts.

The infrastructure minister said two reviews will be conducted to determine what went wrong and how to fix it.

Paul Duffy, chief executive of the agency, said each of the 55 lifts could cost £30,000 to £40,000 to replace.

He said an insurance inspector who examined some of the repaired lifts on Monday was not satisfied with the work.

As a result, the agency was not comfortable that the rest of the lifts were safe to use, he said.

He apologised to all those affected but said safety was his priority.

Tests on heavy-goods vehicles and buses will continue.

MoT exemption certificates lasting four months will be issued so motorists are able to drive.

However, these cannot be issued for four-year-old cars or taxis.

This is because four-year-old cars have never been through an MoT test before, meaning they do not have a certificate to extend, while taxis are covered by different legislation.

Mr Duffy said the heavy goods vehicle lanes at test centres would be used for taxis and four-year-old cars, and the DVA would begin processing them on Tuesday.

He also said extending the opening hours of centres would be considered.

Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon said she has asked her permanent secretary to commission two separate reviews, which she will oversee.

The first investigation will focus on "the precise timeline and to understand who knew what and when and all actions taken".

She said the review will be carried out independently by auditors from outside the Department for Infrastructure.

"The second review will be carried out by an external expert which we are currently in the process of appointing and will provide me with independent advice on the steps that need to be taken to return our MOT centres urgently to a position where a full testing service can be provided."

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Mr Duffy said it was too early to say whether the lifts could be repaired or would have to be replaced, but there was a possibility they may need to be replaced.

He said if that was the case "it's likely to be weeks - I'm not ruling out months, at least weeks".

"I think the most important thing is that our staff and customers are coming into a safe environment," he said.

Thousands of MoTs had already been cancelled after the cracks in lifts were detected.

The suspension was announced on Monday night.

Alan Finlay, from Limavady, has a four-year-old car which is due its first MoT at the end of January but he has not been told when it will be tested.

"Next week I am supposed to be on jury service and the logistics of getting from Limavady to Antrim will be difficult," he told BBC Radio Foyle.

"There are no exception certificates for four-year-old vehicles.

"I certainly won't be taking the car out now as I don't want to be putting myself at risk in any way."

On Tuesday, officials from the Department for Infrastructure briefed the NI Assembly's Committee for Infrastructure on the situation.

"What we're saying is don't turn up for your appointment," the department's Julie Thompson said.

"We will contact directly customers with taxis or four-year-old cars to bring them in.

"So it's a much clearer message for the public because it is less fluid now in terms of where we are at."

Ms Thompson said exemptions issued to customers would be updated on the agency's system, which would in turn be picked up by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) systems in Swansea, responsible for car taxing.

Each vehicle lift was being assessed for whether new parts were required or a replacement.

Malcolm Tarling, of the Association of British Insurers, said insurance companies would be pragmatic.

"I think the key thing here is to talk to your insurer, let them know these quite unusual circumstances and get hold of one of those exemption certificates as well," he said.

"Insurers are going to keep a very close eye on the situation and they are going to be guided by the advice the authorities in Northern Ireland are giving out."

Unlike in the rest of the UK, MoT tests in Northern Ireland must be carried out at 15 government-run centres.

The first signs of cracking on the vehicle lifts were discovered during an inspection of the Larne MoT centre in November 2019.