Among the many challenges facing the industry is the worsening situation of trying to get class 6 MoT dates from DVSA.
On 20 March I sold a double-decker for a client that has its own authorised testing facility (ATF). The first available date to MoT the bus was 18 April because, like many private ATFs, it can only have a tester one day a week.
How can businesses that install ATFs ever get a return on their investment by using it once a week?
I was with an operator recently who has purchased a couple of buses and the only dates he could get involves a round-trip of over 130 miles.
DVSA thinks everything is fine, but the system is not fit for purpose.
Operators can book tests in advance, but it’s when they want an extra test the problem comes to the fore.
Would it not be sensible to train engineers from a company that has a test lane to be able to carry out the actual testing?
Regular ‘spot checks’ from DVSA would ensure no wrongdoing and those companies who invest in their own ATF would see a return on their investment.
Steve Swain,
Chartwell Bus Sale, Horsham
