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Annual test failure rates rise again
Page 7
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III Truck and trailer test failure rates have gone up for the third year running, showing a continuing lack of attention to pre-test preparation among the nation's hauliers. And operators are having to wait longer For their tests too—according to the Vehicle Inspectorate's own figures.
In its Effectiveness Report 2001/02, the VI reveals that first test failure rates are just under 40% for vehicles and nearly 30% for trailers. The biggest single failure item for trucks remains headlamp aim, followed by service brake performance. On trailers the main failure item is service brake performance.
Large fleets appear to be doing better than their smaller counterparts—but only just. According to the VI: "Operators with fleets in excess of 100 still have one vehicle in three initially failing their annual tests."
The report also shows the VI is struggling to cut annual test booking waiting times, with the proportion of hauliers able to get a test within 18 days of calling falling from 88.1 to 81.5%. Roadside prohibition rates were also up, reflecting what the VI calls its "effectiveness of targeted spot checks." It reports a prohibition rate of 24% for trucks and 23.7% for trailers at roadside checks.
• See next week for an analysis of the report.