ARTICLE UPDATED TO REFLECT REVISED GUIDANCE ISSUED ON 13th NOVEMBER 2025
On 23rd October 2025, the DVSA updated the ‘MOT Testing Guide’ regarding equipment maintenance, calibration, and record-keeping for ATL and OPTL wheel and steering play detectors (shaker plates).
The updated guidance covered maintenance schedules and who is approved to work on the equipment.
Since then, the DVSA has further updated and clarified this guidance. As of 13th November 2025, the MOT Testing Guide now reflects clearer information on who is allowed to maintain this equipment.
Maintenance Periods
All equipment must be maintained in good working order at all times.
In the case of ATL or one person test lanes (OPTL), maintenance periods for steering and suspension play detectors is a minimum of every:
- 6 months for pneumatic equipment
- 12 months for hydraulic equipment
Who Can Carry Out The Work?
As of 13th November 2025, the MOT Testing Guide now states that maintenance can be completed by:
- The manufacturer
- The manufacturer’s agent
- A suitably qualified maintenance engineer
- A calibration specialist
What Paperwork is Required?
After each visit, the engineer must provide:
- A maintenance report detailing any remedial work
- A signed and dated declaration confirming the equipment is in good working order
This updated wording provides clearer guidance and confirms a wider range of qualified garage equipment professionals can carry out maintenance.
What Does This Mean for Your MOT Station?
It remains essential that your steering and suspension play detectors are serviced at the correct intervals by a suitably qualified garage equipment engineer and that the correct documentation is provided after every maintenance visit.
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The updated guidance notes can be found in the 'MOT testing guide for test stations' under 'Appendix 2: Facilities and security', section '4. Equipment Calibration'