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How to recognise an approved MOT garage

There are around 19,000 garages approved to carry out MOT testing in the country. The blue 'three triangles' logo, which stations have to display, identifies approved test stations.

An approved MOT test garage should have:

  • a test bay and observation area housed in a weatherproof building. The building, although weatherproof, need not be draught free. It must be capable of being totally enclosed and provide a satisfactory working area. The test facilities must be reasonably free from oil contamination, exhaust fumes, noise or other pollution from adjacent work areas
  • equipment laid out so that testing can be performed effectively. The equipment should be laid out and located so that the other activities of the garage will not affect the proper conduct of the test
  • an unobstructed, safe and easy access via metalled road from the site entrance to the building entrance, such that vehicles can enter and leave the site in a forward direction
  • adequate off-road parking
  • sufficient inspection facilities, including underside access, for any vehicle repair or servicing work
  • a clearly identified, warm and weatherproof public waiting area from which the whole test can be directly observed without interruption (except road testing) (room for two people seated is sufficient)

The garage should also have on display:

  • VT9a - fees and appeals poster
  • VT26 - list of nominated testers
  • VT9 - authorisation of examiner

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