Local appeals for heavy vehicle test annual test (MOT) results

28 February 2022

DVSA is introducing a local appeals process for lorry, trailer and bus/coach annual test (MOT) results on 28 February 2022.

Vehicle operators will be able to ask DVSA to review part of a test or the test result, without having to make a statutory appeal.

They are doing this so they can:

• offer a quick review of an annual test decision;
• provide a consistent service to all of our annual test customers.

How does it work? Well, apparently, if the person presenting the vehicle for annual test is not able to discuss or resolve any issues at the time of the test, a local appeal can be made.

To register a local appeal, the presenter/operator can either:

• email technicalofficers@dvsa.gov.uk;
• phone the Customer Service Centre (0300 123 9000, option 1).

The local appeal should be registered within 2 working days (not weekends or bank holidays) of the test result. If you make a local appeal by email, you should tell the DVSA:

• the vehicle registration/trailer ID and VIN number;
• the date and time of test;
• the ATF name;
• the address and phone number of the presenter/operator;
• details of the disagreement and the customer name and address.

DVSA are meant to contact you within 2 days of receiving the request with further details and arrange a reinspection if one is needed. Only failure items will be checked, not the whole vehicle/trailer.  The DVSA aim to complete the local appeal within 5 days and produce a report to indicate whether the original decision stands or a new decision has been made.  The outcome will be recorded against the vehicle or trailer and sent to the person who made the appeal.

You still have the right to make a statutory appeal to the Secretary of State at any time during this process by using form VTG17 or VTP17.  Making a local appeal will not affect any subsequent statutory appeal.

Please contact our Regulatory Team on 01254 828300 for advice.