MOT Abbreviations
A list of commonly used mot abbreviations with definitions:
| Abbreviation | Definitions |
|---|---|
| Abandon | The term used when a test cannot be completed because the NT considers it unsafe to continue or because it becomes apparent during the test that certain items cannot be satisfactorily inspected. An appropriate fee may be charged for the test. |
| Abort | The term used when a test cannot be completed because of a problem with the VTS’s/DC’s testing equipment or the NT. No fee may be charged for the test. |
| AE | Authorised Examiner - the organisation that operates and manages one or more VTSs and is responsible for controlling the quality of testing carried out. Except in the case of a ‘sole trader’ the AE is not a person but a legal entity (e.g. a company or partnership). |
| ATA | Automotive Technician Accreditation |
| ATL | Automated Test Lane - These are lanes authorised by VOSA for use in the automated mode. |
| Bodied Vehicles | A bodied vehicle is defined as ‘a vehicle with a structure consisting/comprising of a floor pan and panels which, with a roof fully encloses the vehicle occupants and without a roof encloses them other than where the roof would be’. As a guide, if the driver sits in the vehicle with surrounding structure it would be classed as bodied. |
| Bus | A motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers (see also Minibus). |
| Catch Up | The process by which testing test data recorded while testing under Emergency Testing is subsequently entered via the VTS Device. |
| Coach | A motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry more than 16 seated passengers, with a DGW of more than 7,500kg and a maximum speed in excess of 60mph. |
| CPD | Continuing Professional Development |
| DGW | Design Gross Weight - i.e. the maximum gross weight that the vehicle was designed to operate at by the manufacturer. This is normally found on the manufacturer’s plate fixed to the vehicle, or in the case of older or heavier vehicles by a `Ministry Plate’. Such plates are not required on all vehicles. |
| DVSA | Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency |
| ET | Emergency Testing, the process by which testing may continue when the computerised system is not available due to a wide scale failure affecting a significant number of VTSs. |
| Fallback | The process by which testing may continue when the computerised system is not available at a VTS, for example, following the breakdown of the VTS Device. |
| Fallback Review | The process by which test data recorded while testing under Fallback is subsequently confirmed on the MOT computer database. |
| Immediately | Taking place without delay. |
| Large Class 4 | A Class 4 vehicle with a DGW greater than 2500kg. |
| LVI | IMI Light Vehicle Inspection Technician formally known as ATA |
| MAM | Maximum Authorised Mass – The maximum gross weight permissible in GB. |
| Minibus | A motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more than eight but no more than sixteen seated passengers (see also Bus). |
| Ministry Plate | Displays the maximum authorised weights at which a vehicle may be operated. This information supersedes the maximum weights displayed on the Manufacturer’s plate. |
| MoI | Method of Inspection |
| MOT | Ministry of Transport test for car safety |
| NT | Nominated Tester - a person nominated by an AE to carry out tests, Inspectors appointed by Designated Councils to carry out tests, all of which are approved by VOSA. Also VOSA staff appointed under section 66A of the Road Traffic Act 1988. |
| NTT | Nominated Tester Training |
| NTTA | Nominated Tester Technical Assessment |
| OPTL | One Person Test Lane. These are lanes authorised by VOSA to conduct testing where the tester has the option of not using an assistant if so desired |
| Password | Personal Identification, used in conjunction with a Smart Card to access the MOT database via the VTS device. Can be numbers or letters, or a combination of both |
| QC | Quality Control |
| RfR | Reason for Rejection |
| Replacement manual pages | Replacement pages are normally sent out under a Special Notice. They must be inserted into the manual immediately. Superseded pages should be removed |
| Siemens | Siemens IT Solutions and Services Ltd – Service provider for MOT Computerisation |
| Smart Card | A card issued to an authorised user to access the MOT database via the VTS Device |
| SN | Special Notice - an official notice issued from time to time by VOSA to inform AEs, NTs and other system users of changes to the testing scheme. SNs may also be used to highlight areas of concern and to advise of developments of the scheme |
| ULW | Unladen Weight - The weight of a vehicle inclusive of the body and all parts which are ordinarily used with the vehicle when working on a road. Unladen weight does not include the weight of water or fuel used for the propulsion of the vehicle, or of loose tools and loose equipment |
| VOSA | The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency |
| VSI | Vehicle Specific Information, provided to NTs to aid the correct assessment of a vehicle under test |
| VT20 | An MOT Test Certificate which includes the English/Welsh dual language version (VT20W) |
| VT20 ET | An MOT Test Certificate for issue during a period of Emergency Testing |
| VT30 | A notice of refusal of a MOT Test Certificate including the Welsh counterpart (VT30W). |
| VT32 | An Advisory Notice – issued to advise of items of concern identified during the test that do not justify the refusal of a test certificate |
| VT40 | MOT Inspection Check List used by a NT during a test for vehicles other than motor bicycles (see VT40M) |
| VT40M | Motor bicycle MOT Inspection Check List used by a NT during a test |
| VTS | Vehicle Test Station |
| VTS Device | The Computer device installed at each VTS on which each test must be registered, from which MOT documentation is produced and to perform certain administrative functions |
| V5/V5C | Vehicle log book/registration certificate. Issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency |