Helpline opened for motorists impacted by ongoing MOT backlog

A priority helpline has been set up amid the ongoing issues affecting lift equipment at MOT test centres in Northern Ireland.

The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) opened the priority vehicle contact line for use by owners of four-year-old cars due their first MOT, taxis and car dealerships.

The helpline, which operates Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00, can be contacted on 0300 200 7862.

The DVA said that three-year-old LCVs will get automatic temporary exemptions certificate, while testing of HGVs, buses, motorcycles and re-tests remains unaffected by the current disruption.

The DVA also reminded owners of cars of five years and older, whose tests have been cancelled, will automatically receive a temporary exemption certificate (TEC) allowing them to continue to drive and tax their vehicle.

Tests at MOT centres in the North were last month suspended for cars and light vehicles after cracks were found in 48 out of the 55 lifts inspected.

Two new vehicle lifts were recently fitted in test centres in Belfast and Newbuildings, while three existing lifts in Belfast and Lisburn were independently inspected and are back in operation.