31-10-05 Service Desk and Enquiry Unit Update
28 October 2005
Motorist Access Problems to MOT Status Checks
Before discussing the answers below
Please confirm with the motorist that the vehicle has been for a computerised MOT test and they are NOT trying to validate an old style A5 MOT certificate.
Q1 . I have tried to validate an MOT test record via the public enquiry service (telephone and web services) and it is coming up with the message ‘status not known’. Is there a problem with my test record?
A. There are two system ‘bugs’ that may stop you verifying an MOT test record on MOT Computerisation.
1 If a vehicle has had a replacement certificate issued, perhaps because the tester entered the odometer/mileage reading incorrectly
2 If any spaces are included when entering the vehicle registration, the test certificate number or document reference number from the V5C, the system will not find the entry. Please retry without entering spaces.
Both these ‘bugs’ are known to VOSA and fixes are being put in place to resolve them. These fixes are scheduled to be implemented during December (2005).
Q2. I can’t wait until December to be able to validate my MOT. What happens if I,
1 want to sell my vehicle?
2 want to tax my vehicle?
3 need to send proof of MOT to my insurance company?
4 am stopped by the Police?
A. see below
1. (Selling) Please write to James Body, VOSA, Customer Service & Data Manager, Unit 8 Bldg 350, Woodlands Court, Ashridge Road, Almondsbury Business Park, Bristol BS32 4LB or email james.body@vosa.gov.uk who will be able to confirm in writing the validity of your MOT Certificate and provide you with a copy of VOSA’s record for your vehicle. Please include the registration mark and with either the MOT cert no or document reference number from the V5C.
2. Tax) this will not stop you relicensing your vehicle in the normal way.
3.(Insurance) You can send your MOT Certificate to your insurance company who will either contact us directly or ask you for additional proof which you can obtain as above.
4.(Police) If you are asked to take your MOT test certificate to the Police Station they will be able to confirm with us that your record is valid.
Page last updated: 31/10/2005