MOT crisis came after Larne centre inspection

According to an independent investigation published by the Department for Infrastructure, these were detected on November 6 last year during an inspection before 55 lifts were taken out of operation due to faults in scissor lifts at MOT centres across Northern Ireland.

The report indicated that “fatigue cracks” were found in two of the three lifts examined at the Larne centre and were taken out of service.

Repairs were expected to have been carried out by November 27 but had still not been completed by January 21.

The report added that maintenance contractor MAHA advised it had “no immediate concern” regarding the safe operation of these lifts and it was being treated as a “routine maintenance and repair issue”.

On January 22, 2020, a decision was taken by DVA senior management to withdraw all lifts in the MOT centre network from service that had not been subject to repair and further inspection.

As a result, 10 MOT test centres were “severely impacted” with cracks identified within 14 lifts.

The decision to suspend the use of all 55 lifts due to safety concerns was taken by  the DVA chief executive on January 27.

Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon described the situation as “unacceptable” blaming “an inadequate inspection regime and metal fatigue”.

She stated: “Most vehicle testing services at MOT centres were suspended in late January, for safety reasons, given the faults identified in the scissor lifts across all of the MOT centres.

“The investigation has provided clarity on the timeline of events and the auditors concluded that it was reasonable for DVA to place reliance on the equipment manufacturer, supplier and maintenance contractor, MAHA, and the independent engineering insurance inspection reports.”

The minister reported that new lifts are now ready for installation “on a phased basis” and will be installed in those centres not required as part of the Covid-19 response.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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