The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) published its 'effectiveness report' covering the agency's activities over the 12 months to the end of March 2005 in March 2006. The contents of the report are discussed in this paper. The number of trucks failing annual roadworthiness tests at the first attempt (38.9%) has continued to fall, but some of this improvement may be due to the fall in the average age of the UK's truck fleet. The trailer test failure rate improved marginally, from 26.7 to 26.4%. The number of trailer axles has increased and the proportion of tandem-axle trailers has fallen. The commonest cause of test failure remains headlamp aim, followed by service brake performance, lamps, and brake system components. In baseline compliance surveys of vehicles inspected at random during roadside checks, the overall prohibition rates for British and foreign trucks were 11.3% and 8.6%, respectively. Test data showed that 80% of trucks were maintained by external maintenance providers. Test failure rates were higher for trucks maintained by in-house workshops than those maintained by external contractors. Bus and coach annual test records were better than those of trucks. Test failure reasons included headlamp aim, body interior condition and brake system components. The MOT test failure rate for cars decreased from 29.4 to 28.8%. VOSA met most targets set by the Department for Transport during the reported period.
Samenvatting