MOT Failure Figures Released – How Garages and Workshops Can Identify Issues Earlier

Recent government statistics have revealed that more than a quarter of cars and vans have failed the MOT test in the last 12 months.

Over 7 million class 3 and 4 vehicles have taken the test across the last year, with 28% failing. The news prompts workshops to consider how many failing issues could have been avoided with the help of routine maintenance checks, which are designed to allow technicians the chance to discover emerging problems before they can escalate and lead to an MOT failure.

Identifying any issues with a customer’s vehicle at the earliest opportunity also means you can help them to avoid large unsuspecting bills, as their maintenance costs will instead be spread out over time with smaller bills to pay to keep their vehicle running smoothly. Saving your customers money with this process will help to boost loyalty while increasing trust with your garage.

DVSA data also revealed that in April to June 2023, 60% of the tyre category failures were classed as dangerous defects, along with 29% of brake category failures. Of all defect failures categorised as Major defects, 30% were in the Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment category. This highlights the benefit of regular checks for common issues such as tyre and brake wear and checking vehicle light bulbs, so the customer is aware and can take action before it becomes a safety issue.

Offering free vehicle health checks whenever a car is in your workshop will give you the chance to carry out a full inspection to uncover potential issues, with an easy-to-read traffic light report making it clear to customers where any work is needed. Grading vehicle check results with green, amber and red colours not only draws attention to vehicle issues, but it also provides context for the car’s overall condition, and helps the customer understand at a glance the seriousness of any defects or items needing attention.

When performing a vehicle health check on a mobile phone or tablet, technicians can use their device’s camera to capture images or record videos explaining any work required to provide even more clarity for customers who may still be hesitant about committing to additional work. Sending them a quick video as you talk them through the recommended work will help them to fully understand the necessity of the job, increasing your chances of upselling.

Utilising mobile technology to help your customers clearly understand issues and items that require attention on their vehicles has major benefits – it can help improve customer loyalty and trust in your business resulting in repeat visits, which in turn also increases your profitability.

Dragon2000’s Workshop App features has a wealth of useful features, including a vehicle health check tool that allows you to easily perform VHCs on your mobile device, with the option to add images and videos to any defects found and send these to customers. VHC templates can also be set up with our app, so your technicians can have a pre-set checklist that’s unique to your garage, saving you time on every check you undertake.

Dragon2000 have been helping dealers and garages drive their businesses forward since 1995. Contact our sales team today by calling 01327 222 333 or emailing sales@dragon2000.co.uk to find out how our dealer management system, car dealer websites and mobile apps can help your business increase profits and reduce costs.