New best practice guide from VOSA

2nd December 2013

VOSA has launched a new best practice guide for van operators and drivers to combat high levels of MOT and roadside check failures.

Uncertainty surrounding the legal requirements involved in operating van and LGV fleets has led to a rise in non-compliance and VOSA advises all operators to adopt the simple advice offered by the new Your Van: Best Practice Guide.

It includes an operator and driver checklist along with a diagram of a van walkaround check.  The aim is to encourage a culture of compliance leading to a reduction in MOT failures and an improvement in the prohibition rate.  It is a useful reference point for people who use vans not only for business but also for private hire.

“It’s well known in the motor trade that there is a high first-time MOT failure rate for this type of vehicle,” VOSA’s Head of Enforcement Policy Gordon MacDonald said.  “Many owners are running small to medium businesses and it must cause inconvenience, especially loss of income, while their vehicles are off the road.

“We want to work with them to increase their awareness that a regularly serviced and well-maintained vehicle will mean their business is more efficient and they won’t risk having to let customers down because they can’t do the job.”

Figures show that 50% of vans or light goods vehicles fail their MOT year on year and, of the nearly 11,000 vans stopped by VOSA each year, 93% are overloaded while 63% have serious mechanical defects.  Next year, VOSA is to merge with the Driving Standards Agency.